Formulating Your Research Question (RQ)

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In a research paper, the emphasis is on generating a unique question and then synthesizing diverse sources into a coherent essay that supports your argument about the topic. In other words, you integrate information from publications with your own thoughts in order to formulate an argument. Your topic is your starting place: from here, you will develop an engaging research question. Merely presenting a topic in the form of a question does not transform it into a good research question.

Research Topic Versus Research Question Examples

1. Broad Topic Versus Narrow Question

1a. BROAD TOPIC

鈥淲hat forces affect race relations in America?鈥�

1b. NARROWER QUESTION

鈥淗ow do corporate hiring practices affect race relations in Nashville?鈥�

1c. Note:

The question 鈥淲hat is the percentage of racial minorities holding management positions in corporate offices in Nashville?鈥� is much too specific and would yield, at best, a statistic that could become part of a larger argument.
2. Neutral Topic Versus Argumentative Question

2a. Neutral Topic

鈥淗ow does KFC market its low-fat food offerings?鈥�

2b. Argumentative question

鈥淒oes KFC put more money into marketing its high-fat food offerings than its lower-fat ones?鈥�

2c. Note:

The latter question is somewhat better, since it may lead you to take a stance or formulate an argument about consumer awareness or benefit.
3. Objective Topic Versus Subjective Question

Objective subjects are factual and do not have sides to be argued. Subjective subjects are those about which you can take a side.

3a. Objective topic

鈥淗ow much time do youth between the ages of 10 and 15 spend playing video games?鈥�

3b. Subjective Question

鈥淲hat are the effects of video-gaming on the attention spans of youth between the ages of 10 and 15?鈥�

3c. Note:

The first question is likely to lead to some data, though not necessarily to an argument or issue. The second question is somewhat better, since it might lead you to formulate an argument for or against time spent playing video games.
4. Open-Ended Topic Versus Direct Question

4a. Open-ended topic

鈥淒oes the author of this text use allusion?鈥�

4b. Direct question (gives direction to research)

鈥淒oes the ironic use of allusion in this text reveal anything about the author鈥檚 unwillingness to divulge his political commitments?鈥�

4c. Note:

The second question gives focus by putting the use of allusion into the specific context of a question about the author鈥檚 political commitments and perhaps also about the circumstances under which the text was produced.

Research Question (RQ) Checklist

Is my RQ something that I am curious about and that others might care about? Does it present an issue on which I can take a stand?
Does my RQ put a new spin on an old issue, or does it try to solve a problem?
Is my RQ too broad, too narrow, or OK?
Is my RQ researchable
- within the time frame of the assignment?
- given the resources available at my location?
Is my RQ measurable? What type of information do I need? Can I find actual data to support or contradict a position?
What sources will have the type of information that I need to answer my RQ (journals, books, internet resources, government documents, interviews with people)?

Final Thoughts

The answer to a good research question will often be the THESIS of your research paper! And the results of your research may not always be what you expected them to be. Not only is this ok, it can be an indication that you are doing careful work!

Adapted from an online tutorial at Empire State College: http://www.esc.edu/htmlpages/writerold/menus.htm#develop (broken link)

Last revised: November 2022 |聽Adapted for web delivery: November 2022

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