Problem Formulation and Techniques

A research problem sets the stage for the study. Next, research questions refine the direction of investigation by breaking down the broader research problem into manageable components. Research questions are formulated based on the problem, guiding the investigation’s scope and objectives. The hypothesis provides a testable statement to validate or refute within the research process. All three elements are interconnected and work together to guide the research. 

Examples of Good and Bad Research Questions

The following research question examples can further guide researchers on properly constructing a research question.

Example no. 1

Bad: How does social media affect people’s behavior?
Good: What effect does the daily use of YouTube have on the attention span of children aged under 16?

The first research question is considered bad because of the vagueness of “social media" as a concept and the question’s lack of specificity. A good research question should be specific and focused, and its answer should be discovered through data collection and analysis. You can also hone your ability to construct well-worded and specific research questions by improving reading skills.

Example no. 2

Bad: Has there been an increase in childhood malnourishment in Nigeria in the past 10 years?
Good: How have school intervention programs and parental education levels affected the rate of childhood malnourishment among primary school pupils?

In the second example, the first research question is not ideal because it’s too simple, and it’s easily answerable by a “yes" or “no." The second research question is more complicated; to answer it, the researcher must collect data, perform in-depth data analysis, and form an argument that leads to further discussion.