As part of my Research & Development course and Thesis, I got to face this situation multiple times. How to make a good research questions? As an engineer student in an Applied Sciences University, this is not a simple task. Therefore, I created this in order to improve my skill in researching (hopefully).
A research question is a clear, concise, and open-ended question that centers your research for a paper, project, or literature review. A well-made research question is essential to define the scope and direction of your paper, guiding you in collecting relevant information for drawing conclusions later.
How to Create a Research Question
Narrowing a Topic
You may not know right away what your research question is. Gather information on the broader topic to explore new possibilities and to help narrow your topic.
Choose an interesting topic: If you’re interested in your topic, chances are that others will be, too. This happened to me, with my cybersecurity and networking background, I decided to go for a niche and advanced domain of space. This not just boost up my motivation on researching new things, but also increase my chance of getting more attention from teachers.
Gather background information: For a general overview, references sources may be useful. Ask yourself:
- What subtopics relate to the broader topic?
- What questions do these sources raise?
- What do you find interesting about the topic?
Reference Sources
They are a great place to begin your research. They provide:
- A way to identify potential research topics.
- A starting point to gather information on your topic.
- An introduction to major works and key issues related to your topic
- Key authors in your area of research