What is a Research Question?

A research question is an explicit query about a problem that can be examined and analyzed and that will yield useful new knowledge. The purpose of research is to answer questions, whether they arise form a practical need or simple curiosity.

Keep in mind, not all questions can be answered by research. Some questions have answers already and others, by their very nature only elicit opinions. Such questions that elicit opinions are not suitable for research.

Answers to research questions add to our general knowledge. This is the critical feature of research findings – they must be facts, not opinions. The research question is a reflection of the ideas of the researcher.

Thus, the types of questions and the problems chosen for study are as varied as the people who choose them. But they must all be subjected to the research question.