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10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project

Published on October 30, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on October 19, 2023.

The research question is one of the most important parts of your research paper , thesis or dissertation . It’s important to spend some time assessing and refining your question before you get started.

The exact form of your question will depend on a few things, such as the length of your project, the type of research you’re conducting, the topic , and the research problem . However, all research questions should be focused, specific, and relevant to a timely social or scholarly issue.

Once you’ve read our guide on how to write a research question , you can use these examples to craft your own.

Note that the design of your research question can depend on what method you are pursuing. Here are a few options for qualitative, quantitative, and statistical research questions.

Other interesting articles

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

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Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey

How to Craft a Strong Research Question (With Research Question Examples)

A sound and effective research question is a key element that must be identified and pinned down before researchers can even begin their research study or work. A strong research question lays the foundation for your entire study, guiding your investigation and shaping your findings. Hence, it is critical that researchers spend considerable time assessing and refining the research question based on in-depth reading and comprehensive literature review. In this article, we will discuss how to write a strong research question and provide you with some good examples of research questions across various disciplines.

Table of Contents

The importance of a research question

A research question plays a crucial role in driving scientific inquiry, setting the direction and purpose of your study, and guiding your entire research process. By formulating a clear and focused research question, you lay the foundation for your investigation, ensuring that your research remains on track and aligned with your objectives so you can make meaningful contribution to the existing body of knowledge. A well-crafted research question also helps you define the scope of your study and identify the appropriate methodologies and data collection techniques to employ.

Key components of a strong research question

A good research question possesses several key components that contribute to the quality and impact of your study. Apart from providing a clear framework to generate meaningful results, a well-defined research question allows other researchers to understand the purpose and significance of your work. So, when working on your research question, incorporate the following elements:

• Specificity : A strong research question should be specific about the main focus of your study, enabling you to gather precise data and draw accurate conclusions. It clearly defines the variables, participants, and context involved, leaving no room for ambiguity.
• Clarity : A good research question is clear and easily understood, so articulate the purpose and intent of your study concisely without being generic or vague. Ensuring clarity in your research question helps both you and your readers grasp the research objective.
• Feasibility : While crafting a research question, consider the practicality of conducting the research and availability of necessary data or access to participants. Think whether your study is realistic and achievable within the constraints of time, resources, and ethical considerations.

How to craft a well-defined research question

A first step that will help save time and effort is knowing what your aims are and thinking about a few problem statements on the area or aspect one wants to study or do research on. Contemplating these statements as one undertakes more progressive reading can help the researcher in reassessing and fine-tuning the research question. This can be done over time as they read and learn more about the research topic, along with a broad literature review and parallel discussions with peer researchers and supervisors. In some cases, a researcher can have more than one research question if the research being undertaken is a PhD thesis or dissertation, but try not to cover multiple concerns on a topic.

A strong research question must be researchable, original, complex, and relevant. Here are five simple steps that can make the entire process easier.

• Identify a broad topic from your areas of interest, something that is relevant, and you are passionate about since you’ll be spending a lot of time conducting your research.
• Do a thorough literature review to weed out potential gaps in research and stay updated on what’s currently being done in your chosen topic and subject area.
• Shortlist possible research questions based on the research gaps or see how you can build on or refute previously published ideas and concepts.
• Assess your chosen research question using the FINER criteria that helps you evaluate whether the research is Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant. 1
• Formulate the final research question, while ensuring it is clear, well-written, and addresses all the key elements of a strong research question.

Examples of research questions

Remember to adapt your research question to suit your purpose, whether it’s exploratory, descriptive, comparative, experimental, qualitative, or quantitative. Embrace the iterative nature of the research process, continually evaluating and refining your question as you progress. Here are some good examples of research questions across various disciplines.

Exploratory research question examples

• How does social media impact interpersonal relationships among teenagers?
• What are the potential benefits of incorporating mindfulness practices in the workplace?

Descriptive research question examples

• What factors influence customer loyalty in the e-commerce industry?
• Is there a relationship between socioeconomic status and academic performance among elementary school students?

Comparative research question examples

• How does the effectiveness of traditional teaching methods compare to online learning platforms in mathematics education?
• What is the impact of different healthcare policies on patient outcomes in various countries?

Experimental research question examples

• What are the effects of a new drug on reducing symptoms of a specific medical condition?
• Does a dietary intervention have an impact on weight loss among individuals with obesity?

Qualitative research question examples

• What are the lived experiences of immigrants adapting to a new culture?
• What factors influence job satisfaction among healthcare professionals?

Quantitative research question examples

• Is there a relationship between sleep duration and academic performance among college students?
• How effective is a specific intervention in reducing anxiety levels among individuals with phobias?

With these simple guidelines and inspiring examples of research questions, you are equipped to embark on your research journey with confidence and purpose. Here’s wishing you all the best for your future endeavors!

References:

• How to write a research question: Steps and examples. Indeed Career Guide. Available online at https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-research-questions

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Formulating a Clear Research Question Statement

Formulating a clear research question is a crucial step in the research process, providing a focused, precise path for inquiry. This article outlines the essential steps and considerations for developing a strong research question that guides the entire research project.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the core attributes of a strong research question, including specificity, clarity, and relevance to the field of study.
• Identify common pitfalls in research question formulation, such as vagueness and overly broad scope, and learn strategies to avoid them.
• Utilize literature reviews effectively to refine and align your research question with existing knowledge and gaps.
• Transition smoothly from a well-formulated research question to a testable hypothesis, setting the foundation for your research methodology.
• Consider ethical implications in your research question to ensure fairness, privacy, and bias mitigation.

Understanding the Essence of a Research Question Statement

Defining a research question.

To embark on any research project, you must first clearly understand what a research question is. It is the fundamental query that guides your entire study, aiming to address a specific concern or gap in knowledge. Formulating a clear and concise research question is crucial as it sets the direction and scope of your investigation.

Characteristics of a Strong Research Question

A strong research question should be precise, manageable, and substantial enough to warrant detailed analysis. It should be researchable —meaning there must be enough evidence and resources available to answer it. Moreover, it should be specific enough to allow for a clear and focused investigation, yet broad enough to cover the necessary aspects of the topic.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When crafting your research question, avoid vagueness, overly broad topics, and questions that are too trivial. A common pitfall is formulating a question that is either too broad or too narrow, which can lead to either an overwhelming amount of data or a lack of sufficient information to conduct thorough research.

Developing a Research Question from a Broad Topic

Narrowing down the scope.

To transform a broad topic into a focused research question , start by identifying the specific aspects of the topic that intrigue you the most. This process involves breaking down the topic into manageable parts and deciding which part you are most passionate about or which has the least existing research.

Identifying Key Variables

Once you have a clearer scope, identify the key variables that will form the basis of your research. These variables are the elements within your topic that you can measure or assess to gather data. Understanding these variables is crucial for formulating an effective research question .

Formulating an Initial Question

With a specific aspect and key variables identified, you can now draft an initial question. This question should be clear, concise, and answerable within the constraints of your research resources. It's important to refine this question over time to ensure it remains relevant and focused on your research goals.

Evaluating the Clarity and Focus of Your Research Question

Criteria for clarity and specificity.

To ensure your research question is effective, it's crucial to evaluate its clarity and specificity. Ask yourself: Is my research question clear? It should be straightforward, with no ambiguity in its wording. Additionally, consider whether it is focused enough to guide your research without being overly broad or narrow.

Tools for Assessing Research Questions

Various tools and frameworks can help you assess the quality of your research question. Utilize checklists and guidelines that focus on the essential aspects of a good research question, such as its scope, relevance, and feasibility. These tools can provide a structured way to critique and refine your question.

Refining Your Question for Precision

After initial assessments, refine your research question to achieve greater precision. This involves narrowing down the scope and specifying the variables involved. Make adjustments based on feedback and ensure your question aligns closely with your research objectives. This step is vital for setting a solid foundation for your study.

The Role of Literature Review in Shaping Your Research Question

Exploring existing research.

When you begin your research journey, the first step is to immerse yourself in the existing body of knowledge. This involves thoroughly reviewing relevant literature to understand what has been studied, how it has been approached, and the outcomes of those studies. This foundational step not only broadens your understanding but also ensures that your research question is grounded in a solid context.

Identifying Gaps and Opportunities

As you delve deeper into the literature, your goal is to identify gaps or areas that have not been fully explored. This process of identifying gaps is crucial as it directs you to potential opportunities for original research. By pinpointing these areas, you can formulate a research question that contributes new insights to your field.

Aligning Your Question with Current Knowledge

Finally, ensure that your research question aligns with the current knowledge landscape. This alignment is essential for the relevance and feasibility of your study. It also helps in articulating how your research will build on, and differ from, existing studies. By aligning your question, you make a compelling case for the significance and necessity of your research.

Transforming a Research Question into a Hypothesis

From question to hypothesis.

Once you have a clear research question, the next step is to transform it into a hypothesis . A hypothesis is a predictive statement that bridges your research question with empirical testing. It's a crucial step in moving from theoretical exploration to concrete, testable predictions . Formulating a hypothesis requires a deep understanding of the variables involved and their possible interactions.

Testing Your Hypothesis

Testing your hypothesis is where your research takes a practical turn. Here, you design experiments or studies to see if the empirical evidence supports your hypothesis. This phase is critical as it directly addresses the validity of your predictions and by extension, the soundness of your research question.

Setting the Stage for Methodology

The final step in this transformation process is setting the stage for your methodology. This involves selecting the appropriate research methods and tools to effectively test your hypothesis. Whether it's qualitative or quantitative research, choosing the right methodology will significantly impact the accuracy and reliability of your results.

Ethical Considerations in Framing Research Questions

When you're formulating your research question, it's crucial to consider the ethical implications of your study. Ethical guidelines for research questions ensure that your inquiry respects the dignity and rights of participants. This involves obtaining informed consent, ensuring anonymity, and avoiding harm.

Avoiding Bias and Ensuring Fairness

Bias in research can skew results and lead to unethical outcomes. It's essential to design your study in a way that minimally influences the participants' responses or behaviors. This includes using neutral language and ensuring that your question does not lead or mislead participants.

Respecting Privacy and Confidentiality

Maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of your participants is a fundamental aspect of ethical research. This means carefully handling sensitive information and using data protection methods to secure personal data. It's important to outline how you will protect this information right from the start of your study.

Advanced Techniques for Crafting Precise Research Questions

Utilizing analytical frameworks.

To enhance the precision of your research questions, consider employing analytical frameworks. These tools help in dissecting the research problem into manageable components, allowing for a more targeted investigation. Frameworks such as SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis or PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) analysis can provide structured ways to explore various aspects of a topic.

Incorporating Theoretical Models

Theoretical models are instrumental in shaping well-defined research questions. By grounding your question within established theories, you ensure that your inquiry is not only relevant but also anchored in a solid academic foundation. Utilizing models from your field can guide the formulation of questions that are both innovative and deeply rooted in scholarly traditions.

Leveraging Statistical Tools for Precision

Statistical tools are essential for refining research questions to ensure they are specific and measurable. Techniques such as regression analysis or factor analysis can help you identify and define the key variables in your study. This approach not only enhances the clarity of your research question but also boosts its methodological rigor, making your findings more robust and credible.

Dive deeper into the realm of academic success with our article on 'Advanced Techniques for Crafting Precise Research Questions'. This guide is meticulously designed to enhance your research skills and refine your academic inquiries. Don't miss out on elevating your thesis to the next level. Visit our website to explore more insightful content and claim your special offer today!

In conclusion, formulating a clear research question is a pivotal step in the research process that sets the stage for a focused and meaningful study. A well-crafted question not only guides the research direction but also sharpens the study's objectives, ensuring that the investigation remains on track and relevant. It is essential for researchers to invest time in refining their research question, making sure it is specific, researchable, and significant within their field. By adhering to these principles, researchers can enhance the clarity and impact of their studies, contributing valuable insights to their academic disciplines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a research question statement.

A research question statement clearly defines the focus of a study. It outlines the central issue or problem that the research aims to address, guiding the direction and scope of the investigation.

What makes a strong research question?

A strong research question is specific, clear, feasible, relevant, and complex enough to allow for detailed exploration and analysis within the scope of the study.

How can I narrow down a broad topic into a research question?

To narrow down a broad topic, identify key themes or issues within the topic, review related literature to find gaps, and use these insights to formulate a focused question that addresses a specific aspect of the topic.

What role does literature review play in formulating a research question?

A literature review helps to identify gaps in existing research, which can inspire new research questions. It also ensures that the question aligns with current knowledge and advances the understanding of the topic.

How do I transform a research question into a hypothesis?

To transform a research question into a hypothesis, restate the question as a statement that predicts an outcome based on theoretical insights or previous research. This hypothesis can then be tested through your study's methodology.

What are some ethical considerations in framing research questions?

Ethical considerations include ensuring the question does not harm participants, respects privacy and confidentiality, avoids bias, and contributes positively to the field of study.

How Do You Write a Hypothesis? Step-by-Step Instructions

How do you write an hypothesis detailed explanation and examples, how to ask a research question: strategies and tips, how do you write a good hypothesis tips and techniques, how to write a proposal for a thesis: a comprehensive guide.

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How to write a research question

Last updated

7 February 2023

Reviewed by

Miroslav Damyanov

In this article, we take an in-depth look at what a research question is, the different types of research questions, and how to write one (with examples). Read on to get started with your thesis, dissertation, or research paper .

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• What is a research question?

A research question articulates exactly what you want to learn from your research. It stems directly from your research objectives, and you will arrive at an answer through data analysis and interpretation.

However, it is not that simple to write a research question—even when you know the question you intend to answer with your study. The main characteristics of a good research question are:

Feasible. You need to have the resources and abilities to examine the question, collect the data, and give answers.

Interesting. Create research questions that offer fascinating insights into your industry.

Novel. Research questions have to offer something new within your field of study.

Ethical. The research question topic should be approved by the relevant authorities and review boards.

Relevant. Your research question should lead to visible changes in society or your industry.

Usually, you write one single research question to guide your entire research paper. The answer becomes the thesis statement—the central position of your argument. A dissertation or thesis, on the other hand, may require multiple problem statements and research questions. However, they should be connected and focused on a specific problem.

• Importance of the research question

A research question acts as a guide for your entire study. It serves two vital purposes:

to determine the specific issue your research paper addresses

to identify clear objectives

Therefore, it helps split your research into small steps that you need to complete to provide answers.

Your research question will also provide boundaries for your study, which help set limits and ensure cohesion.

Finally, it acts as a frame of reference for assessing your work. Bear in mind that research questions can evolve, shift, and change during the early stages of your study or project.

• Types of research questions

The type of research you are conducting will dictate the type of research question to use. Primarily, research questions are grouped into three distinct categories of study:

qualitative

quantitative

mixed-method

Let’s look at each of these in turn:

Quantitative research questions

The number-one rule of quantitative research questions is that they are precise. They mainly include:

independent and dependent variables

the exact population being studied

the research design to be used

Therefore, you must frame and finalize quantitative research questions before starting the study.

Equally, a quantitative research question creates a link between itself and the research design. These questions cannot be answered with simple 'yes' or' no' responses, so they begin with words like 'does', 'do', 'are', and 'is'.

Quantitative research questions can be divided into three categories:

Relationship research questions usually leverage words such as 'trends' and 'association' because they include independent and dependent variables. They seek to define or explore trends and interactions between multiple variables.

Comparative research questions tend to analyze the differences between different groups to find an outcome variable. For instance, you may decide to compare two distinct groups where a specific variable is present in one and absent in the other.

Descriptive research questions usually start with the word 'what' and aim to measure how a population will respond to one or more variables.

Qualitative research questions

Like quantitative research questions, these questions are linked to the research design. However, qualitative research questions may deal with a specific or broad study area. This makes them more flexible, very adaptable, and usually non-directional.

Use qualitative research questions when your primary aim is to explain, discover, or explore.

There are seven types of qualitative research questions:

Explanatory research questions investigate particular topic areas that aren't well known.

Contextual research questions describe the workings of what is already in existence.

Evaluative research questions examine the effectiveness of specific paradigms or methods.

Ideological research questions aim to advance existing ideologies.

Descriptive research questions describe an event.

Generative research questions help develop actions and theories by providing new ideas.

Emancipatory research questions increase social action engagement, usually to benefit disadvantaged people.

Mixed-methods studies

With mixed-methods studies, you combine qualitative and quantitative research elements to get answers to your research question. This approach is ideal when you need a more complete picture. through a blend of the two approaches.

Mixed-methods research is excellent in multidisciplinary settings, societal analysis, and complex situations. Consider the following research question examples, which would be ideal candidates for a mixed-methods approach

How can non-voter and voter beliefs about democracy (qualitative) help explain Town X election turnout patterns (quantitative)?

How does students’ perception of their study environment (quantitative) relate to their test score differences (qualitative)?

• Developing a strong research question—a step-by-step guide

Research questions help break up your study into simple steps so you can quickly achieve your objectives and find answers. However, how do you develop a good research question? Here is our step-by-step guide:

1. Choose a topic

The first step is to select a broad research topic for your study. Pick something within your expertise and field that interests you. After all, the research itself will stem from the initial research question.

2. Conduct preliminary research

Once you have a broad topic, dig deeper into the problem by researching past studies in the field and gathering requirements from stakeholders if you work in a business setting.

Through this process, you will discover articles that mention areas not explored in that field or products that didn’t resonate with people’s expectations in a particular industry. For instance, you could explore specific topics that earlier research failed to study or products that failed to meet user needs.

3. Keep your audience in mind

Is your audience interested in the particular field you want to study? Are the research questions in your mind appealing and interesting to the audience? Defining your audience will help you refine your research question and ensure you pick a question that is relatable to your audience.

4. Generate a list of potential questions

Ask yourself numerous open-ended questions on the topic to create a potential list of research questions. You could start with broader questions and narrow them down to more specific ones. Don’t forget that you can challenge existing assumptions or use personal experiences to redefine research issues.

5. Review the questions

Evaluate your list of potential questions to determine which seems most effective. Ensure you consider the finer details of every question and possible outcomes. Doing this helps you determine if the questions meet the requirements of a research question.

6. Construct and evaluate your research question

Consider these two frameworks when constructing a good research question: PICOT and PEO. 

PICOT stands for:

P: Problem or population

I: Indicator or intervention to be studied

C: Comparison groups

O: Outcome of interest

T: Time frame

PEO stands for:

P: Population being studied

E: Exposure to any preexisting conditions

To evaluate your research question once you’ve constructed it, ask yourself the following questions:

Is it clear?

Your study should produce precise data and observations. For qualitative studies, the observations need to be delineable across categories. Quantitative studies must have measurable and empirical data.

Is it specific and focused?

An excellent research question must be specific enough to ensure your testing yields objective results. General or open-ended research questions are often ambiguous and subject to different kinds of interpretation.

Is it sufficiently complex?

Your research needs to yield substantial and consequential results to warrant the study. Merely supporting or reinforcing an existing paper is not good enough.

• Examples of good research questions

A robust research question actively contributes to a specific body of knowledge; it is a question that hasn’t been answered before within your research field.

Here are some examples of good and bad research questions :

Good: How effective are A and B policies at reducing the rates of Z?

Bad: Is A or B a better policy?

The first is more focused and researchable because it isn't based on value judgment. The second fails to give clear criteria for answering the question.

Good: What is the effect of daily Twitter use on the attention span of college students?

Bad: What is the effect of social media use on people's minds?

The first includes specific and well-defined concepts, which the second lacks.

Ensure all terms within your research question have precise meanings. Avoid vague or general language that makes the topic too broad.

• The bottom line

The success of any research starts with formulating the right questions that ensure you collect the most insightful data. A good research question will showcase the objectives of your systematic investigation and emphasize specific contexts.

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Creating a Good Research Question

• Advice & Growth
• Process in Practice

Successful translation of research begins with a strong question. How do you get started? How do good research questions evolve? And where do you find inspiration to generate good questions in the first place?  It’s helpful to understand existing frameworks, guidelines, and standards, as well as hear from researchers who utilize these strategies in their own work.

In the fall and winter of 2020, Naomi Fisher, MD, conducted 10 interviews with clinical and translational researchers at Harvard University and affiliated academic healthcare centers, with the purpose of capturing their experiences developing good research questions. The researchers featured in this project represent various specialties, drawn from every stage of their careers. Below you will find clips from their interviews and additional resources that highlight how to get started, as well as helpful frameworks and factors to consider. Additionally, visit the Advice & Growth section to hear candid advice and explore the Process in Practice section to hear how researchers have applied these recommendations to their published research.

• Naomi Fisher, MD , is associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS), and clinical staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). Fisher is founder and director of Hypertension Services and the Hypertension Specialty Clinic at the BWH, where she is a renowned endocrinologist. She serves as a faculty director for communication-related Boundary-Crossing Skills for Research Careers webinar sessions and the Writing and Communication Center .
• Christopher Gibbons, MD , is associate professor of neurology at HMS, and clinical staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Joslin Diabetes Center. Gibbons’ research focus is on peripheral and autonomic neuropathies.
• Clare Tempany-Afdhal, MD , is professor of radiology at HMS and the Ferenc Jolesz Chair of Research, Radiology at BWH. Her major areas of research are MR imaging of the pelvis and image- guided therapy.
• David Sykes, MD, PhD , is assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), he is also principal investigator at the Sykes Lab at MGH. His special interest area is rare hematologic conditions.
• Elliot Israel, MD , is professor of medicine at HMS, director of the Respiratory Therapy Department, the director of clinical research in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medical Division and associate physician at BWH. Israel’s research interests include therapeutic interventions to alter asthmatic airway hyperactivity and the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in airway narrowing.
• Jonathan Williams, MD, MMSc , is assistant professor of medicine at HMS, and associate physician at BWH. He focuses on endocrinology, specifically unravelling the intricate relationship between genetics and environment with respect to susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease.
• Junichi Tokuda, PhD , is associate professor of radiology at HMS, and is a research scientist at the Department of Radiology, BWH. Tokuda is particularly interested in technologies to support image-guided “closed-loop” interventions. He also serves as a principal investigator leading several projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and industry.
• Osama Rahma, MD , is assistant professor of medicine at HMS and clinical staff member in medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). Rhama is currently a principal investigator at the Center for Immuno-Oncology and Gastroenterology Cancer Center at DFCI. His research focus is on drug development of combinational immune therapeutics.
• Sharmila Dorbala, MD, MPH , is professor of radiology at HMS and clinical staff at BWH in cardiovascular medicine and radiology. She is also the president of the American Society of Nuclear Medicine. Dorbala’s specialty is using nuclear medicine for cardiovascular discoveries.
• Subha Ramani, PhD, MBBS, MMed , is associate professor of medicine at HMS, as well as associate physician in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care at BWH. Ramani’s scholarly interests focus on innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment of clinical trainees, faculty development in teaching, and qualitative research methods in medical education.
• Ursula Kaiser, MD , is professor at HMS and chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, and senior physician at BWH. Kaiser’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone regulates the expression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone genes.

Insights on Creating a Good Research Question

Play Junichi Tokuda video

Play Ursula Kaiser video

Start Successfully: Build the Foundation of a Good Research Question

Start Successfully Resources

Ideation in Device Development: Finding Clinical Need Josh Tolkoff, MS A lecture explaining the critical importance of identifying a compelling clinical need before embarking on a research project. Play Ideation in Device Development video .

Radical Innovation Jeff Karp, PhD This ThinkResearch podcast episode focuses on one researcher’s approach using radical simplicity to break down big problems and questions. Play Radical Innovation .

Using Healthcare Data: How can Researchers Come up with Interesting Questions? Anupam Jena, MD, PhD Another ThinkResearch podcast episode addresses how to discover good research questions by using a backward design approach which involves analyzing big data and allowing the research question to unfold from findings. Play Using Healthcare Data .

Important Factors: Consider Feasibility and Novelty

Refining Your Research Question 

Play video of Clare Tempany-Afdhal

Play Elliott Israel video

Frameworks and Structure: Evaluate Research Questions Using Tools and Techniques

Frameworks and Structure Resources

Designing Clinical Research Hulley et al. A comprehensive and practical guide to clinical research, including the FINER framework for evaluating research questions. Learn more about the book .

Translational Medicine Library Guide Queens University Library An introduction to popular frameworks for research questions, including FINER and PICO. Review translational medicine guide .

Asking a Good T3/T4 Question  Niteesh K. Choudhry, MD, PhD This video explains the PICO framework in practice as participants in a workshop propose research questions that compare interventions. Play Asking a Good T3/T4 Question video

Introduction to Designing & Conducting Mixed Methods Research An online course that provides a deeper dive into mixed methods’ research questions and methodologies. Learn more about the course

Network and Support: Find the Collaborators and Stakeholders to Help Evaluate Research Questions

Network & Support Resource

Bench-to-bedside, Bedside-to-bench Christopher Gibbons, MD In this lecture, Gibbons shares his experience of bringing research from bench to bedside, and from bedside to bench. His talk highlights the formation and evolution of research questions based on clinical need. Play Bench-to-bedside. 

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How To Write a Research Question

Academic writing and research require a distinct focus and direction. A well-designed research question gives purpose and clarity to your research. In addition, it helps your readers understand the issue you are trying to address and explore.

Every time you want to know more about a subject, you will pose a question. The same idea is used in research as well. You must pose a question in order to effectively address a research problem. That's why the research question is an integral part of the research process. Additionally, it offers the author writing and reading guidelines, be it qualitative research or quantitative research.

In your research paper , you must single out just one issue or problem. The specific issue or claim you wish to address should be included in your thesis statement in order to clarify your main argument.

A good research question must have the following characteristics.

• Should include only one problem in the research question
• Should be able to find the answer using primary data and secondary data sources
• Should be possible to resolve within the given time and other constraints
• Detailed and in-depth results should be achievable
• Should be relevant and realistic.
• It should relate to your chosen area of research

While a larger project, like a thesis, might have several research questions to address, each one should be directed at your main area of study. Of course, you can use different research designs and research methods (qualitative research or quantitative research) to address various research questions. However, they must all be pertinent to the study's objectives.

What is a Research Question?

A research question is an inquiry that the research attempts to answer. It is the heart of the systematic investigation. Research questions are the most important step in any research project. In essence, it initiates the research project and establishes the pace for the specific research A research question is:

• Clear : It provides enough detail that the audience understands its purpose without any additional explanation.
• Focused : It is so specific that it can be addressed within the time constraints of the writing task.
• Succinct: It is written in the shortest possible words.
• Complex : It is not possible to answer it with a "yes" or "no", but requires analysis and synthesis of ideas before somebody can create a solution.
• Argumental : Its potential answers are open for debate rather than accepted facts.

A good research question usually focuses on the research and determines the research design, methodology, and hypothesis. It guides all phases of inquiry, data collection, analysis, and reporting. You should gather valuable information by asking the right questions.

Why are Research Questions so important?

Regardless of whether it is a qualitative research or quantitative research project, research questions provide writers and their audience with a way to navigate the writing and research process. Writers can avoid "all-about" papers by asking straightforward and specific research questions that help them focus on their research and support a specific thesis.

Types of Research Questions

There are two types of research: Qualitative research and Quantitative research . There must be research questions for every type of research. Your research question will be based on the type of research you want to conduct and the type of data collection.

The first step in designing research involves identifying a gap and creating a focused research question.

Below is a list of common research questions that can be used in a dissertation. Keep in mind that these are merely illustrations of typical research questions used in dissertation projects. The real research questions themselves might be more difficult.

Example Research Questions

The following are a few examples of research questions and research problems to help you understand how research questions can be created for a particular research problem.

Steps to Write Research Questions

You can focus on the issue or research gaps you're attempting to solve by using the research questions as a direction.

If you're unsure how to go about writing a good research question, these are the steps to follow in the process:

• Select an interesting topic Always choose a topic that interests you. Because if your curiosity isn’t aroused by a subject, you’ll have a hard time conducting research around it. Alos, it’s better that you pick something that’s neither too narrow or too broad.
• Do preliminary research on the topic Search for relevant literature to gauge what problems have already been tackled by scholars. You can do that conveniently through repositories like Scispace , where you’ll find millions of papers in one place. Once you do find the papers you’re looking for, try our reading assistant, SciSpace Copilot to get simple explanations for the paper . You’ll be able to quickly understand the abstract, find the key takeaways, and the main arguments presented in the paper. This will give you a more contextual understanding of your subject and you’ll have an easier time identifying knowledge gaps in your discipline.

     Also: ChatPDF vs. SciSpace Copilot: Unveiling the best tool for your research

• Consider your audience It is essential to understand your audience to develop focused research questions for essays or dissertations. When narrowing down your topic, you can identify aspects that might interest your audience.
• Ask questions Asking questions will give you a deeper understanding of the topic. Evaluate your question through the What, Why, When, How, and other open-ended questions assessment.
• Assess your question Once you have created a research question, assess its effectiveness to determine if it is useful for the purpose. Refine and revise the dissertation research question multiple times.

Additionally, use this list of questions as a guide when formulating your research question.

Are you able to answer a specific research question? After identifying a gap in research, it would be helpful to formulate the research question. And this will allow the research to solve a part of the problem. Is your research question clear and centered on the main topic? It is important that your research question should be specific and related to your central goal. Are you tackling a difficult research question? It is not possible to answer the research question with a simple yes or no. The problem requires in-depth analysis. It is often started with "How" and "Why."

Start your research Once you have completed your dissertation research questions, it is time to review the literature on similar topics to discover different perspectives.

Strong  Research Question Samples

Uncertain: How should social networking sites work on the hatred that flows through their platform?

Certain: What should social media sites like Twitter or Facebook do to address the harm they are causing?

This unclear question does not specify the social networking sites that are being used or what harm they might be causing. In addition, this question assumes that the "harm" has been proven and/or accepted. This version is more specific and identifies the sites (Twitter, Facebook), the type and extent of harm (privacy concerns), and who might be suffering from that harm (users). Effective research questions should not be ambiguous or interpreted.

Unfocused: What are the effects of global warming on the environment?

Focused: What are the most important effects of glacial melting in Antarctica on penguins' lives?

This broad research question cannot be addressed in a book, let alone a college-level paper. Focused research targets a specific effect of global heating (glacial  melting), an area (Antarctica), or a specific animal (penguins). The writer must also decide which effect will have the greatest impact on the animals affected. If in doubt, narrow down your research question to the most specific possible.

Too Simple: What are the U.S. doctors doing to treat diabetes?

Appropriately complex: Which factors, if any, are most likely to predict a person's risk of developing diabetes?

This simple version can be found online. It is easy to answer with a few facts. The second, more complicated version of this question is divided into two parts. It is thought-provoking and requires extensive investigation as well as evaluation by the author. So, ensure that a quick Google search should not answer your research question.

How to write a strong Research Question?

The foundation of all research is the research question. You should therefore spend as much time as necessary to refine your research question based on various data.

You can conduct your research more efficiently and analyze your results better if you have great research questions for your dissertation, research paper , or essay .

The following criteria can help you evaluate the strength and importance of your research question and can be used to determine the strength of your research question:

• Researchable
• It should only cover one issue.
• A subjective judgment should not be included in the question.
• It can be answered with data analysis and research.
• Specific and Practical
• It should not contain a plan of action, policy, or solution.
• It should be clearly defined
• Within research limits
• Complex and Arguable
• It shouldn't be difficult to answer.
• To find the truth, you need in-depth knowledge
• Allows for discussion and deliberation
• Original and Relevant
• It should be in your area of study
• Its results should be measurable
• It should be original

Conclusion - How to write Research Questions?

Research questions provide a clear guideline for research. One research question may be part of a larger project, such as a dissertation. However, each question should only focus on one topic.

Research questions must be answerable, practical, specific, and applicable to your field. The research type that you use to base your research questions on will determine the research topic. You can start by selecting an interesting topic and doing preliminary research. Then, you can begin asking questions, evaluating your questions, and start your research.

Now it's easier than ever to streamline your research workflow with SciSpace ResearchGPT . Its integrated, comprehensive end-to-end platform for research allows scholars to easily discover, read, write and publish their research and fosters collaboration.

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Research: From selecting a topic to writing the bibliography

• Selecting a Topic
• Developing a Research Question
• What Type of Source Do I Need?
• Selecting the Best Place to Search
• Search Like a Pro
• Evaluating Information

Research Questions Worth Asking

This video from the UMD, Global Campus gives a good introduction to research questions.

What is a research question?

Once you have selected a topic, you need to develop a research question. You may be used to working with a thesis statement, but a thesis statement is an answer. If you start your research with an answer, you might miss something important or your paper might be too one-sided. Starting with a question allows you to explore your topic while still having it clearly defined. 

A good research question is specific and focused.

Topic : Netflix

Research Question : How has the rise of streaming television changed the nature of advertising during television shows?

Topic : the environmental impact of fracking

Research Question : What are some of the most effective ways of protecting local ground water from the waste water produced by fracking?

Tip: Beware of research questions that are too broad or too narrow.

Too Broad:  Why is reality television so popular?

Too Narrow:  What are the economic and social consequences of the popularity of Jersey Shore on the lives of teenagers living in Omaha, Nebraska? 

Tip: be willing to tweak your research question as you go.

Research Question:  How has the rise of streaming television changed the nature of advertising during television shows?

Potential Research Finding:  Advertising during television hasn't changed much recently.

New Research Question:  Why has advertising on television been able to remain the same when how we watch television has changed so much?

Examples of Research Questions

The assignment is a 10-15 page paper relying primarily on scholarly resources.

• How is malaria treated?
• Will tablet computing replace the need for laptops?
• How much has the popularity of Harry Potter improved the reading scores of second graders in Missouri?
• At what point in time will the need for nurses in pedatric wards outpace the graduation rates from nursing schools?
• In what ways have online communities changed the nature of support systems available for people with Attention Deficit Disorder?
• How has mountaintop removal mining in western Kentucky impacted the migratory habits of the local bird population?
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• Last Updated: Jun 13, 2024 10:49 AM
• URL: https://libguides.gwu.edu/research

How to Write Compelling Research Questions

Are you ready to take your research to the next level? Crafting a powerful research question is the key to unlocking the full potential of your academic journey. It's like having a trusty compass that guides you through the vast wilderness of knowledge, ensuring you stay on track and reach your destination.

In this article, we'll walk you through the essential steps to develop a research question that packs a punch. From identifying your research topic to refining and evaluating your question, we've got you covered. Along the way, we'll explore what makes a good research question and share some helpful research questions examples to inspire you. So, whether you're a student, writer, or just curious about how to form a research question, join us as we embark on this exciting adventure of developing research questions that will elevate your research to new heights!

Identify Your Research Topic

Alright, let's dive into the exciting world of identifying your research topic! Picture yourself as an adventurer, ready to explore uncharted territories of knowledge. But before you embark on this thrilling journey, you need to choose a destination that sparks your curiosity and aligns with your goals.

Brainstorming Your Interests

• Start by brainstorming a list of subjects that pique your interest. Consider areas that haven't been thoroughly explored or present challenges within your field.
• Ask yourself questions like: What fascinates me? What problems do I want to solve? What knowledge gaps exist in my area of study?
• Engage in discussions with peers, professors, or experts to gain fresh perspectives and refine your ideas.

Conducting Preliminary Research

Once you have a general topic in mind, it's time to do some background reading to narrow down your focus:

As you explore these resources, consider the following:

• Look for keywords and concepts that social scientists use to discuss your topic
• Identify specific cases or examples that can make your ideas more concrete
• Determine what aspects of the topic you want to focus on and find an angle to contribute through your project

Evaluating Your Topic

Before finalizing your research topic, ensure it meets the following criteria:

• Aligns with the assignment requirements and guidelines
• Has a substantial body of accessible and manageable related research
• Is interesting, relevant, and worthy of the time invested
• Allows for finding sufficient information in books or scholarly journals
• Fits your future professional path and enhances your skills

Remember, your research topic is not set in stone. It may evolve as you delve deeper into the research process. Embrace the opportunity to discover new insights and modify your topic accordingly.

Now that you've identified a captivating research topic, you're ready to embark on the next stage of your research adventure: conducting preliminary research to further refine your focus and develop a powerful research question.

Conduct Preliminary Research

Now that you've identified your research topic, it's time to dive deeper and conduct some preliminary research. This crucial step will help you narrow down your focus, identify key concepts, and lay the groundwork for developing a powerful research question.

• Use search engines like Google Scholar or your library's online catalog to find relevant articles, books, and other resources related to your topic.
• Explore Wikipedia to gain a broad understanding of your topic and discover potential subtopics or related areas of interest.
• As you read through your initial search results, take note of frequently used terms, phrases, and concepts related to your topic.
• Create a list of these key terms to help guide your further research and refine your focus.
• Assess the quantity and quality of the resources you've found so far.
• Determine if there is sufficient information available to support your research or if you need to adjust your topic's scope.
• Diversify your research by exploring various types of sources, such as:

• As you review the literature, look for areas where there is a lack of information or where scholars disagree.
• These gaps and debates can help you identify potential research questions and contribute to the existing body of knowledge.
• Based on your preliminary research, consider narrowing down your topic to a more specific focus.
• A well-defined and focused topic will make it easier to develop a clear and concise research question.

Remember, conducting preliminary research is an iterative process. As you learn more about your topic, you may need to adjust your focus, search for additional sources, or explore new angles. Embrace this process of discovery and let your curiosity guide you towards a compelling research question.

Define Your Research Problem

Alright, now that you've conducted some preliminary research and have a better understanding of your topic, it's time to define your research problem. This is where the real fun begins!

• Start by asking "how" and "why" questions about your general topic.
• For example, instead of asking, "Does social media affect mental health?" try, "How does social media impact the mental health of teenagers?"
• These types of questions encourage deeper exploration and analysis.
• Narrow down your research problem to a particular aspect of the broader topic.
• Consider focusing on a specific place, time, or group of people.
• Specify the aspects you will address and those you will not.
• Your research problem should be complex enough to require research and analysis, not just a simple yes/no answer.
• It should also be significant to you and potentially to others, addressing the "so what" factor.

Crafting the Research Question

Alright, now that you've defined your research problem, it's time to craft a powerful research question that will guide your study. A well-formulated research question should be clear, focused, and complex, avoiding simple yes/no answers and requiring research and analysis.

Characteristics of a Strong Research Question

A good research question exhibits the following characteristics:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Answerable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to the field of study and/or society

The PICO(T) Framework

When structuring your research question, consider using the PICO(T) framework:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

To ensure your research question is strong, avoid these common mistakes:

• Ambiguity: Use clear and specific language to avoid confusion
• Assumption: Avoid making assumptions or using loaded language
• Scope: Keep the scope of your question manageable and relevant

Formulating Your Question

When crafting your research question, consider the following formulations:

• Describing and exploring: "What are the characteristics of...?"
• Explaining and testing: "What is the relationship between...?"
• Evaluating and acting: "How effective is...?"

Remember, developing a research question is an iterative process that involves continuously updating your knowledge on the topic and refining your ideas. As you progress through your research, you may need to adjust your question to better align with your findings and insights.

Examples of Research Questions

• Descriptive: "What are the main challenges faced by small businesses during a pandemic?"
• Comparative: "How does the effectiveness of online learning compare to traditional classroom learning?"
• Correlational: "Is there a relationship between social media use and anxiety levels in teenagers?"
• Exploratory: "What factors contribute to the success of remote work arrangements?"
• Explanatory: "How does regular exercise impact cognitive function in older adults?"
• Evaluation: "To what extent do diversity and inclusion initiatives improve employee satisfaction and retention?"

By crafting a strong research question that is clear, focused, and complex, you'll set the foundation for a successful research project that contributes to your field of study and provides valuable insights.

Refine and Evaluate Your Question

Congratulations on crafting a powerful research question! Now, it's time to refine and evaluate your question to ensure it's the best it can be. Let's dive in and make your research question shine!

Determining Relationships and Selecting Variables

• Identify how variables are related to one another and how these relationships may contribute to your research problem.
• Summarize how you plan to consider and use these variables and how they might influence the study results.

Asking Critical Open-Ended Questions

Narrow down your research question by asking the following:

• Who is involved in your research?
• What specific aspects are you investigating?
• When and where will your research take place?
• How will you conduct your study?
• Why is this research important?

Apply these criteria to make your question more generative, relevant, original, and less obvious.

Seeking Feedback and Revising

Remember, receiving feedback and revising is a valuable step in creating impactful and precise research.

Evaluating Interestingness and Feasibility

Consider the following factors when evaluating your research question:

• Is the answer in doubt?
• Does it fill a gap in the research literature?
• Does it have important practical implications?
• Do you have enough time and money?
• Do you possess the necessary technical knowledge and skills?
• Do you have access to special equipment and research participants?

Striving for Simplicity and Precision

• Make your research question as specific and concise as possible.
• Seek input from experts, mentors, and colleagues to refine your question further.
• Consider how your research question influences factors such as methodology, sample size, data collection, and analysis.

By refining and evaluating your research question, you'll set the stage for a successful research project that contributes valuable insights to your field of study. Remember, a well-crafted research question is central to a well-written paper, sparking interest and leading to new or rethought perspectives.

Developing a powerful research question is the cornerstone of any successful research project. By identifying your research topic, conducting preliminary research, defining your research problem, and crafting a focused question, you'll set the foundation for a meaningful and impactful study. Remember to refine and evaluate your question, seeking feedback from mentors and peers to ensure its relevance and feasibility.

As you embark on your research journey, let your curiosity be your guide. Embrace the process of discovery, and don't be afraid to refine your question as you uncover new insights. By crafting a research question that is clear, focused, and complex, you'll contribute valuable knowledge to your field and make a lasting impact on the world of research. So go forth, intrepid researcher, and let your powerful research question be the beacon that illuminates your path to success!

What are the essential steps to formulate a research question?

To formulate a research question, follow these steps:

• Choose a general subject area or consider the one that has been assigned to you.
• Narrow down the topic to a more specific aspect of the general subject.
• Brainstorm various questions that could be asked about this narrower topic.
• Select the question that you find most intriguing or compelling.

How can I create a strong research question?

To develop a strong research question, you should:

• Conduct initial research on your topic to understand the current discourse.
• Identify a problem or a knowledge gap within your field.
• Ensure your question aims to contribute to ongoing debates within your field or society.

What is the five-step process for writing a research question?

When crafting a research question, you should:

• Select a broad topic of interest.
• Engage in preliminary research to gain background information.
• Keep in mind the audience for whom the research is intended.
• Develop a list of possible questions related to the topic.
• Review and refine the list of questions.
• Formulate the final research question.

What are the five key elements of an effective research question?

An effective research question typically includes the following five components:

• Population: the group you are studying.
• Intervention: the variable or treatment you are considering.
• Comparator: the standard or control you are comparing the intervention to.
• Outcome: the expected result or effect of the intervention.
• Time frame: the period during which the study is conducted.These components can be remembered through the acronyms PICOT and FINER, which stand for Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Time frame, and Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant, respectively.

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How to Develop a Good Research Question? — Types & Examples

Cecilia is living through a tough situation in her research life. Figuring out where to begin, how to start her research study, and how to pose the right question for her research quest, is driving her insane. Well, questions, if not asked correctly, have a tendency to spiral us!

Image Source: https://phdcomics.com/

Questions lead everyone to answers. Research is a quest to find answers. Not the vague questions that Cecilia means to answer, but definitely more focused questions that define your research. Therefore, asking appropriate question becomes an important matter of discussion.

A well begun research process requires a strong research question. It directs the research investigation and provides a clear goal to focus on. Understanding the characteristics of comprising a good research question will generate new ideas and help you discover new methods in research.

In this article, we are aiming to help researchers understand what is a research question and how to write one with examples.

Table of Contents

What Is a Research Question?

A good research question defines your study and helps you seek an answer to your research. Moreover, a clear research question guides the research paper or thesis to define exactly what you want to find out, giving your work its objective. Learning to write a research question is the beginning to any thesis, dissertation , or research paper. Furthermore, the question addresses issues or problems which is answered through analysis and interpretation of data.

Why Is a Research Question Important?

A strong research question guides the design of a study. Moreover, it helps determine the type of research and identify specific objectives. Research questions state the specific issue you are addressing and focus on outcomes of the research for individuals to learn. Therefore, it helps break up the study into easy steps to complete the objectives and answer the initial question.

Types of Research Questions

Research questions can be categorized into different types, depending on the type of research you want to undergo. Furthermore, knowing the type of research will help a researcher determine the best type of research question to use.

1. Qualitative Research Question

Qualitative questions concern broad areas or more specific areas of research. However, unlike quantitative questions, qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional and more flexible. Qualitative research question focus on discovering, explaining, elucidating, and exploring.

i. Exploratory Questions

This form of question looks to understand something without influencing the results. The objective of exploratory questions is to learn more about a topic without attributing bias or preconceived notions to it.

Research Question Example: Asking how a chemical is used or perceptions around a certain topic.

ii. Predictive Questions

Predictive research questions are defined as survey questions that automatically predict the best possible response options based on text of the question. Moreover, these questions seek to understand the intent or future outcome surrounding a topic.

Research Question Example: Asking why a consumer behaves in a certain way or chooses a certain option over other.

iii. Interpretive Questions

This type of research question allows the study of people in the natural setting. The questions help understand how a group makes sense of shared experiences with regards to various phenomena. These studies gather feedback on a group’s behavior without affecting the outcome.

Research Question Example: How do you feel about AI assisting publishing process in your research?

2. Quantitative Research Question

Quantitative questions prove or disprove a researcher’s hypothesis through descriptions, comparisons, and relationships. These questions are beneficial when choosing a research topic or when posing follow-up questions that garner more information.

i. Descriptive Questions

It is the most basic type of quantitative research question and it seeks to explain when, where, why, or how something occurred. Moreover, they use data and statistics to describe an event or phenomenon.

Research Question Example: How many generations of genes influence a future generation?

ii. Comparative Questions

Sometimes it’s beneficial to compare one occurrence with another. Therefore, comparative questions are helpful when studying groups with dependent variables.

Example: Do men and women have comparable metabolisms?

iii. Relationship-Based Questions

This type of research question answers influence of one variable on another. Therefore, experimental studies use this type of research questions are majorly.

Example: How is drought condition affect a region’s probability for wildfires.  

How to Write a Good Research Question?

1. Select a Topic

The first step towards writing a good research question is to choose a broad topic of research. You could choose a research topic that interests you, because the complete research will progress further from the research question. Therefore, make sure to choose a topic that you are passionate about, to make your research study more enjoyable.

2. Conduct Preliminary Research

After finalizing the topic, read and know about what research studies are conducted in the field so far. Furthermore, this will help you find articles that talk about the topics that are yet to be explored. You could explore the topics that the earlier research has not studied.

3. Consider Your Audience

The most important aspect of writing a good research question is to find out if there is audience interested to know the answer to the question you are proposing. Moreover, determining your audience will assist you in refining your research question, and focus on aspects that relate to defined groups.

4. Generate Potential Questions

The best way to generate potential questions is to ask open ended questions. Questioning broader topics will allow you to narrow down to specific questions. Identifying the gaps in literature could also give you topics to write the research question. Moreover, you could also challenge the existing assumptions or use personal experiences to redefine issues in research.

5. Review Your Questions

Once you have listed few of your questions, evaluate them to find out if they are effective research questions. Moreover while reviewing, go through the finer details of the question and its probable outcome, and find out if the question meets the research question criteria.

6. Construct Your Research Question

There are two frameworks to construct your research question. The first one being PICOT framework , which stands for:

• Population or problem
• Intervention or indicator being studied
• Comparison group
• Outcome of interest
• Time frame of the study.

The second framework is PEO , which stands for:

• Population being studied
• Exposure to preexisting conditions
• Outcome of interest.

Research Question Examples

• How might the discovery of a genetic basis for alcoholism impact triage processes in medical facilities?
• How do ecological systems respond to chronic anthropological disturbance?
• What are demographic consequences of ecological interactions?
• What roles do fungi play in wildfire recovery?
• How do feedbacks reinforce patterns of genetic divergence on the landscape?
• What educational strategies help encourage safe driving in young adults?
• What makes a grocery store easy for shoppers to navigate?
• What genetic factors predict if someone will develop hypothyroidism?
• Does contemporary evolution along the gradients of global change alter ecosystems function?

How did you write your first research question ? What were the steps you followed to create a strong research question? Do write to us or comment below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research questions guide the focus and direction of a research study. Here are common types of research questions: 1. Qualitative research question: Qualitative questions concern broad areas or more specific areas of research. However, unlike quantitative questions, qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional and more flexible. Different types of qualitative research questions are: i. Exploratory questions ii. Predictive questions iii. Interpretive questions 2. Quantitative Research Question: Quantitative questions prove or disprove a researcher’s hypothesis through descriptions, comparisons, and relationships. These questions are beneficial when choosing a research topic or when posing follow-up questions that garner more information. Different types of quantitative research questions are: i. Descriptive questions ii. Comparative questions iii. Relationship-based questions

Qualitative research questions aim to explore the richness and depth of participants' experiences and perspectives. They should guide your research and allow for in-depth exploration of the phenomenon under investigation. After identifying the research topic and the purpose of your research: • Begin with Broad Inquiry: Start with a general research question that captures the main focus of your study. This question should be open-ended and allow for exploration. • Break Down the Main Question: Identify specific aspects or dimensions related to the main research question that you want to investigate. • Formulate Sub-questions: Create sub-questions that delve deeper into each specific aspect or dimension identified in the previous step. • Ensure Open-endedness: Make sure your research questions are open-ended and allow for varied responses and perspectives. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Encourage participants to share their experiences, opinions, and perceptions in their own words. • Refine and Review: Review your research questions to ensure they align with your research purpose, topic, and objectives. Seek feedback from your research advisor or peers to refine and improve your research questions.

Developing research questions requires careful consideration of the research topic, objectives, and the type of study you intend to conduct. Here are the steps to help you develop effective research questions: 1. Select a Topic 2. Conduct Preliminary Research 3. Consider Your Audience 4. Generate Potential Questions 5. Review Your Questions 6. Construct Your Research Question Based on PICOT or PEO Framework

There are two frameworks to construct your research question. The first one being PICOT framework, which stands for: • Population or problem • Intervention or indicator being studied • Comparison group • Outcome of interest • Time frame of the study The second framework is PEO, which stands for: • Population being studied • Exposure to preexisting conditions • Outcome of interest

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5 Steps to Creating Better Research Questions

• 5-minute read
• 14th December 2021

Research questions are central to scientific inquiry . Well-formulated research questions identify the specific issues your study will address and help you plan your investigation.

In this post, we’ll show you how to formulate strong research questions in five steps:

• Start with a broad topic that you’re interested in.
• Familiarize yourself with current work in your chosen area.
• Identify the specific issue you want to focus on.
• Develop a suitably complex question.
• Refine your question by examining each word.

Read on to learn more about each of these points.

1. Choose a Subject That You Are Genuinely Curious About

You’ll spend a lot of time researching your chosen topic. That’s why you should choose a topic that interests you and that you’d like to learn about. Also, you should choose a topic that’s exciting and relevant to your audience, especially if you hope to have your work published .

Instead of choosing a completely new area of study, choose a topic that you already know a little bit about. If you’ve read even just a few articles about something, that’s better than tackling something completely new.

Your topic should be broad but not too broad. For example, if you choose “mental health,” you need to narrow it down right away so that step 2 is doable. A more realistic broad topic would be “mental health in teenagers.” You won’t have to complete as much research, but you’ll still have plenty of room to find a niche topic within the larger area. 

2. Carry Out Preliminary Research

The next step is to research your chosen topic. By looking at recent journal articles and review papers , you can find out what other researchers are exploring and what questions arise from existing studies.

The aim here is to identify possible subtopics and/or find gaps in current research. So, as you read, jot down questions you’d like to answer and areas you’d like to explore further.

3. Focus on a Precise Issue Within the Broader Topic

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the current state of research on your chosen topic, you can focus on a niche area.

In our example above, “mental health in teenagers,” this could mean focusing on a specific group (e.g., 7th–9 th -grade students). We could look at a single area of mental health (e.g., anxiety) or a specific time or place.

Maybe in your initial reading, you discovered a gap in existing research that could form the basis of your research question, or you may be interested in exploring the relationship between different variables (e.g., gender and anxiety level).

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Another idea is to consider how current events might affect the broader topic. For example, you might choose to study the impact of the pandemic on the mental wellbeing of 11–16-year-old children.

4. Create an Interesting, Researchable Question

The next step is to turn your idea into a well-balanced question. The best research questions will tick all the boxes below:

●  Original: This simply means that your question shouldn’t have already been answered. It doesn’t mean you must have an idea that nobody has come up with yet, but your approach should bring new insight. This could mean that you focus on a specific age group or geographic area.

●  Focused: Your question should identify a single problem that you want your research to address.

●  Complex: If someone could answer your question by searching the Internet for five minutes, it’s not complex enough. Research questions should ask “how” and “why” rather than “is” or “does.” In other words, they shouldn’t be easily answered with “yes” or “no.” Rather, answering the question means bringing together ideas and data from different sources.

●  Achievable: Even if your question is complex enough to turn into a research paper, you still need to keep in mind constraints like word count, time frame, availability of resources, and your ability to complete the necessary research.

●  Debatable: When answering your research question, keep in mind that you don’t want to reach a definitive conclusion. A strong question leaves room for further discussion.

5. Make Every Word Count

The final step is to formulate the precise wording of your question. You may need to follow a defined format (e.g., PICO or PEO ), or you can phrase the question in your own way.

In either case, your research question must clearly state what the paper is about. It should be as concise as possible but not open to misinterpretation. This includes defining ambiguous terms (e.g., “young people”) and detailing how you’ll evaluate any relevant variables.

Hopefully, you can now formulate effective research questions. Don’t forget to have your paper proofread by an expert when you’re done. At Proofed, we’ll check your writing for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation and give you feedback on clarity and conciseness. You can even try our proofreading service for free .

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How To Develop A Research Question: Formulate Your Success

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: June 16, 2020

Developing strong writing doesn’t happen overnight. The same could be said about creating a good research question. As a student, there will likely be a point where you’ll have to write a research paper. Research papers tend to be extensive in length and require a lot of, well, you guessed it, research! Knowing how to develop a research question is the first step to writing a successful research paper.

Developing a research question takes time in itself, as well as multiple additional considerations. Before we jump into how to create your perfect research question, let’s define what a research question is and what makes one strong.

Photo by Dan Dimmock on Unsplash

What is a research question.

As the name implies, a research question is the question you ask that you will then answer through research.

Most research papers tend to be lengthy, so it helps to come up with a research question that can open the door to a lot of information. At the same time, you don’t want to be too open with your question because then it becomes harder to write a concise and focused paper.

With this in mind, a good research question should have these attributes:

• Clear: The question shouldn’t require additional explanation because it is easily understandable. Your audience may range from people who are very familiar with the topic to those who may know nothing at all. You’ll want the question to be understood by all those who read your paper.
• Focused: The question should be narrow enough such that the research paper gives you enough space to fully answer the question. If you ask something too general, you’ll have trouble fitting the data and response into a constrained paper.
• Researchable: You should be able to conduct interviews, surveys or leverage past data and information to answer the question.
• Feasible: You are able to answer it in a given timeframe and with the resources you have available.
• Concise: You can pose the question as one that is short and to the point.
• Complex: There is enough information and data to be able to write an entire paper on the subject to answer the question.
• Arguable: As the writer, you should be able to take a stance on the topic and argue why it’s right.
• Relevant: It should relate to the subject you’re studying or the major you’re pursuing.

Why Does Your Research Question Matter In The Research Process?

Think about it like this — a research question is the foundation and basis of all the work you put in to write a research paper. It helps to narrow and focus your findings to answer something specific, rather than going off topic and writing all about irrelevant information.

Types Of Research Questions

Depending on your subject matter or area of interest, one type of research question may better suit your needs. If your prompt is open-ended and you get to choose your own research question, you can select from these common types of research questions:

• Descriptive: These research questions answer when, where, why or how something happened. They will require data and statistics around an event or phenomenon.
• Comparative: A comparative question studies the differences between one thing and another.
• Correlational: This type of question asks how one thing is related to another.
• Exploratory: An exploratory question is used to better understand a topic.
• Evaluation: Also known as program evaluation, this is a question that aims to answer what something is and why it’s done that way.
• Action: This type of question evaluates what happened and how an action may be improved.

6 Steps To Develop A Research Question

Based on your subject matter and the research paper prompt, you may have a clear idea on what type of research question to ask.

No matter what type of research you will conduct, formulating your research question can consist of these steps:

1. Choose Your Topic

Start by choosing your topic. Maybe you’ve been guided as to what you will research. But, if not, you’ll want to pick something that you are actually interested in learning about. To be able to narrow in on a specific question, you’ll want to start broad and then conduct preliminary research.

2. Do Some Early Research

Early research will help you to check if the research question is feasible. You can start by looking online at the topic and see what others are researching with regard to that subject matter.

3. Consider Your Audience

When creating your question, you’ll want to think about your audience. Since it’s likely to be academic, you need to frame your question formally.

4. Ask Questions

As you learn more about your topic through early research, you can ask yourself questions like how and why things are the way they are.

5. Evaluate Your Question

Only after you’ve started posing questions can you evaluate their merit. You can check to see that your question upholds the characteristics of a good research question (i.e. concise, clear, feasible, etc.)

6. Start Researching

Once you have your question ready to go, think about the best ways to answer it. Begin researching the type of information that exists or create your own experiment or survey to collect data, if possible.

Sample Research Questions

Here are some examples of broad research questions, compared to their better, more focused alternatives.

• Broad: “How has climate change affected animals?”
• Focused: “What effect does rising sea levels have on the food chain of marine animals?”
• Broad: “Does social media negatively affect people?”
• Focused: “How has Instagram affected teenage girl’s emotional states?”
• Broad: “Do men and women have different results from working out?”
• Focused: “Do men lose weight faster than women when working out daily?”

General Research Paper Writing Tips

Once you feel comfortable with your research question, you can begin writing your academic research paper.

Keep in mind these useful writing tips :

• Conduct strong research by leveraging research skills
• Organize your thoughts with an outline
• Note all your sources
• Write a first draft
• Reread and edit your first draft
• Ask a friend or colleague to proofread your paper before submitting

Your Research Question Is the Foundation

When you create a concise, focused, and arguable research question, you are setting yourself up to be able to write a strong research paper.

In most academic settings, you will be required to write a research paper. This is especially true when it comes to earning your secondary degrees in college. Developing a research question is one of the most important steps in the entire writing process.

Remember to take your time, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback!

At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone.

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• How to Develop a Research Question
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Popular vs. Scholarly Resources
• Annotated Bibliography
• Citing Your Sources

Developing a Research Question

Developing Strong Research Questions

A good research question is essential to guide your research paper, project or thesis. It pinpoints exactly what you want to find out and gives your work a clear focus and purpose. All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

In a research paper or essay, you will usually write a single research question to guide your reading and thinking. The answer that you develop is your thesis statement — the central assertion or position that your paper will argue for.

In a bigger research project, such as a thesis or dissertation, you might have multiple research questions, but they should all be clearly connected and focused around a central research problem.

From: Scribbr

How to Write a Research Question

How to write a research question.

The process of developing your research question follows several steps:

• Choose a broad topic
• Do some preliminary reading to find out about topical debates and issues
• Narrow down a specific niche that you want to focus on
• Identify a practical or theoretical research problem that you will address

When you have a clearly-defined problem, you need to formulate one or more questions. Think about exactly what you want to know and how it will contribute to resolving the problem.

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Research Essentials

Background sources, selecting and narrowing a topic, from topic to research question, sample research questions.

• Identify Keywords
• Search Tips
• Too Few/Many Results?
• Use Sources
• Scholarly vs Popular
• Thesis Statements
• Cite Sources
• Find Articles
• Primary Sources

Developing a Research Question

For more information on developing a research question, check out this video from the Laurier Library. 

Reference sources like dictionaries and encyclopedias provide general information about various subjects. They offer background that can be a springboard for more in-depth research.

Encyclopedias and specialized reference resources in: Arts, Biography, History, Information and Publishing, Law, Literature, Medicine, Multicultural Studies, Nation and World, Religion, Science, Social Science

The online equivalent of the complete printed Encyclopaedia Britannica plus Internet links.

The online equivalent of the printed Encyclopedia Britannica and more. A fully searchable and browsable collection of authoritative references, including Britannica's latest article database, hundreds of recent articles not found in the print Britannica. Thousands of illustrations; references to biographies, geography and yearbooks are available.

Choose an area of interest to explore. 

For you to successfully finish a research project, it is important to choose a research topic that is relevant to your field of study and piques your curiosity. The flip side is that curiosity can take you down long and winding paths, so you also need to consider scope in how to effectively cover the topic in the space that you have available. If there's an idea or concept you've recently learned that's stuck with you, that might be a good place to start !

Gather background information.

You may not know right away what your research question is - that's okay! Start out with a broad topic, and see what information is out there through cursory background research. This will help you explore possibilities and narrow your topic to something manageable.    Do a few quick searches in OneSearch@IU  or in other relevant sources. See what other researchers have already written to help narrow your focus.  

Narrow your topic.

  Once you have a sense of how other researchers are talking about the topics you’re interested, narrow down your topic by asking the 5 Ws

• Who – population or group (e.g., working class, college students, Native Americans)
• What – discipline or focus (e.g., anthropological or art history)
• Where – geographic location (e.g., United States; universities; small towns; Standing Rock)
• When – time period or era (17 th century; contemporary; 2017)
• Why – why is the topic important? (to the class, to the field, or to you)

Broad topic: Native American representations in museums

Narrowed topic: Museum efforts to adhere to NAGPRA

Adapted from: University of Michigan. (2023 Finding and Exploring your topic. Retrieved from  https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=283095&p=1886086

So, you have done some background research and narrowed down your topic. Now what? Start to turn that topic into a series of questions that you will attempt to answer the course of your research.  Keep in mind that you will probably end up changing and adjusting the question(s) you have as you gather more information and synthesize it in your writing. However, having a clear line of inquiry can help you maintain a sense of your direction, which will then in turn help you evaluate sources and identify relevant information throughout your research process. 

Exploratory questions.

These are the questions that comes from a genuine curiosity about your topic. When narrowing down your topic, you got a good sense of the Who, What, When, and Where of things. Now it’s time to consider

• Asking open-ended “how” and “why” questions about your general topic, which can lead you to better explanations about a phenomenon or concept
• Consider the “so what?” of your topic. Why does this topic matter to you? Why should it matter to others? What are the implications of the information you’re discovering through the search process to the Who and the What of your topic?

Evaluate your research question.

Use the following to determine if any of the questions you generated would be appropriate and workable for your assignment. 

• Is your question clear ? Do you have a specific aspect of your general topic that you are going to explore further? Will the reader of your research be able to keep it in mind?
• Is your question focused? Will you be able to cover the topic adequately in the space available? Are you able to concisely ask the question?
• Is your question and arguable ? If it can be answered with a simple Yes or No, then dig deeper. Once you get to “it depends on X, Y, and Z” then you might be getting on the right track.

Hypothesize. 

Once you have developed your research question, consider how you will attempt to answer or address it. 

• What connections can you make between the research you’ve read and your research question? Why do those connections matter?
• What other kinds of sources will you need in order to support your argument?
• If someone refutes the answer to your research question, what is your argument to back up your conclusion?
• How might others challenge your argument? Why do those challenges ultimately not hold water?

Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center. (2018). How to write a research question. Retrieved from  https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/research-based-writing/how-to-write-a-research-question

A good research question is clear, focused, and has an appropriate level of complexity. Developing a strong question is a process, so you will likely refine your question as you continue to research and to develop your ideas.  

Unclear : Why are social networking sites harmful?

Clear:  How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as Facebook and TikTok?

Unfocused:  What is the effect on the environment from global warming?

Focused:  How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?

Simple vs Complex

Too simple:  How are doctors addressing diabetes in the U.S.?

Appropriately Complex:   What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in America, and how can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in prevention of the disease?

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• Last Updated: Nov 13, 2023 10:40 AM
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Think Like a Researcher: Instruction Resources: #6 Developing Successful Research Questions

• Guide Organization
• Overall Summary
• #1 Think Like a Researcher!
• #2 How to Read a Scholarly Article
• #3 Reading for Keywords (CREDO)
• #4 Using Google for Academic Research
• #4 Using Google for Academic Research (Alternate)
• #5 Integrating Sources
• Research Question Discussion
• #7 Avoiding Researcher Bias
• #8 Understanding the Information Cycle
• #9 Exploring Databases
• #10 Library Session
• #11 Post Library Session Activities
• Summary - Readings
• Summary - Research Journal Prompts
• Summary - Key Assignments
• Jigsaw Readings
• Permission Form

Course Learning Outcome:   Develop ability to synthesize and express complex ideas; demonstrate information literacy and be able to work with evidence

Goal:  Develop students’ ability to recognize and create successful research questions

Specifically, students will be able to

• identify the components of a successful research question.
• create a viable research question.

What Makes a Good Research Topic Handout

These handouts are intended to be used as a discussion generator that will help students develop a solid research topic or question. Many students start with topics that are poorly articulated, too broad, unarguable, or are socially insignificant. Each of these problems may result in a topic that is virtually un-researchable. Starting with a researchable topic is critical to writing an effective paper.

Research shows that students are much more invested in writing when they are able to choose their own topics. However, there is also research to support the notion that students are completely overwhelmed and frustrated when they are given complete freedom to write about whatever they choose. Providing some structure or topic themes that allow students to make bounded choices may be a way mitigate these competing realities.

These handouts can be modified or edited for your purposes.  One can be used as a handout for students while the other can serve as a sample answer key.  The document is best used as part of a process.  For instance, perhaps starting with discussing the issues and potential research questions, moving on to problems and social significance but returning to proposals/solutions at a later date.

• Research Questions - Handout Key (2 pgs) This document is a condensed version of "What Makes a Good Research Topic". It serves as a key.
• Research Questions - Handout for Students (2 pgs) This document could be used with a class to discuss sample research questions (are they suitable?) and to have them start thinking about problems, social significance, and solutions for additional sample research questions.
• Research Question Discussion This tab includes materials for introduction students to research question criteria for a problem/solution essay.

Additional Resources

These documents have similarities to those above.  They represent original documents and conversations about research questions from previous TRAIL trainings.

• What Makes a Good Research Topic? - Original Handout (4 pgs)
• What Makes a Good Research Topic? Revised Jan. 2016 (4 pgs)
• What Makes a Good Research Topic? Revised Jan 2016 with comments

Topic Selection (NCSU Libraries)

Howard, Rebecca Moore, Tricia Serviss, and Tanya K. Rodrigues. " Writing from sources, writing from sentences ." Writing & Pedagogy 2.2 (2010): 177-192.

Research Journal

Assign after students have participated in the Developing Successful Research Topics/Questions Lesson OR have drafted a Research Proposal.

Think about your potential research question.

• What is the problem that underlies your question?
• Is the problem of social significance? Explain.
• Is your proposed solution to the problem feasible? Explain.
• Do you think there is evidence to support your solution?

Keys for Writers - Additional Resource

Keys for Writers (Raimes and Miller-Cochran) includes a section to guide students in the formation of an arguable claim (thesis).  The authors advise students to avoid the following since they are not debatable. 

• "a neutral statement, which gives no hint of the writer's position"
• "an announcement of the paper's broad subject"
• "a fact, which is not arguable"
• "a truism (statement that is obviously true)"
• "a personal or religious conviction that cannot be logically debated"
• "an opinion based only on your feelings"
• "a sweeping generalization" (Section 4C, pg. 52)

The book also provides examples and key points (pg. 53) for a good working thesis.

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• Last Updated: Apr 26, 2024 10:23 AM
• URL: https://libguides.ucmerced.edu/think_like_a_researcher

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to develop good research paper questions.

I'm starting a big research paper project and want to make sure my research question is strong. What tips do you have for developing good research paper questions that are both interesting and answerable? I'd appreciate any guidance!

Developing a strong research paper question is crucial to the success of your project. Here are some tips to help you create interesting and answerable research questions:

1. Choose a topic you're passionate about: Your interest in the topic will make the research and writing process more enjoyable and engaging. Make a list of subjects or areas you're intrigued by, and narrow down your choices based on feasibility and the availability of resources.

2. Conduct preliminary research: Before formulating your research question, spend some time browsing through existing literature and resources on your chosen topic. This will give you a sense of the current state of knowledge, as well as possible gaps or areas where further investigation is needed.

3. Be specific and focused: A strong research question should be clear, concise, and focused. Avoid questions that are too broad or too vague, as they can be difficult to answer comprehensively. Instead, hone in on a particular aspect of your topic, which will make your research more manageable and directed.

4. Ensure the question is answerable: Your research question should be something that can be investigated and supported by evidence. Avoid questions that are based on personal opinion or that require speculative answers. Instead, aim for questions that can be answered using empirical data or analysis of existing literature.

5. Consider the complexity: Choose a research question that is neither too simple nor too complex. A question that is too simple may not allow for deeper exploration or analysis, while an overly complex question can make your research difficult to undertake and understand.

6. Be open to refining your question: As you dive deeper into your research, you may find that your initial research question needs to be refined or reworked. Be open to modifying your question to address new discoveries or insights that emerge during the research process.

7. Seek feedback from others: Don't be afraid to ask for feedback on your research question from your instructor, peers, or a mentor. They can provide valuable insights and guidance to help you refine your question and ensure that it is strong and well-defined.

An example of developing a research question could be as follows:

- Initial broad topic: Environmental conservation

- Focused topic after preliminary research: The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems

- Research question: What are the most effective policies for reducing plastic pollution in marine ecosystems, and how can they be implemented on a global scale?

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to formulating a strong research question that will set the foundation for a successful research paper project.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Wild African elephants address each other with name-like rumbling calls: study

Science Wild African elephants address each other with name-like rumbling calls: study

African elephants are a highly social bunch with tonnes of different ways to communicate.

They greet each other by intertwining trunks and express strong emotions by trumpeting. They are even thought to send messages over large distances with ground-based vibrations, which could be detected through their feet.

Now researchers behind a new study in Nature Ecology and Evolution believe wild elephants may be able to communicate with other members of their group by using sounds akin to names.

Dolphins and some birds are reported to develop a signature call which other members of their species can used to identify them or copy to get their attention.

But Colorado State University behavioural ecologist Mickey Pardo, lead author of the new study, believes elephant calls are more similar to how humans use arbitrary names rather than imitations used by other species.

"Elephants are among the few mammals that are capable of learning to produce new sounds , which is a prerequisite for having names," he said.

Elephant talk 101

Human names are conveyed through speech, but an elephant "name" sounds a lot different.

One of an African elephant's most common forms of communication are vocalisations known as rumbles, which can sound a bit like a growl or roar.

"It's actually easier for elephants to learn to produce rumbles on command than it is for them to learn to produce trumpets on command," Dr Pardo said.

To the inexperienced ear, elephant rumbles can sound the same or very similar, but Dr Pardo said that's akin to an alien assuming humans have a modest vocal repertoire of crying, laughing, screaming or speech.

"If you thought about it that way, you would be missing all the interesting stuff about human communication," he said.

Inspired by the work of behavioural biologist Stephanie King , who found dolphins could identify others by repeating signature calls , Dr Pardo wanted to dig deep into the rumbles of elephants, another big-brained mammal, to find if something similar was going on.

To do this, he and his colleagues analysed recordings of 469 rumbles made by groups of wild African elephant females and their young at Amboseli National Park and Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves in Kenya over 36 years.

While there are many different contexts for rumbles, the research team focused on three:

• Contact — where elephants try to make contact with other family members over a long distance or when out of sight
• Greeting — when elephants approach each other within touching distance
• Caregiving — when adult or adolescent females give comfort to or communicate with a young calf.

They used an artificial intelligence model to figure out which elephant was being addressed in each recorded call.

The next step was to play calls containing "names" to 17 wild elephants.

"I found that they reacted much more strongly to calls that were originally addressed to them than to calls from the same caller that were originally addressed to someone else," Dr Pardo said.

"That indicates that they can tell just by hearing a call whether it was addressed to them or not."

Behaviours explained

For some of the long-time elephant researchers involved with the study, the findings appear to confirm unexplained interactions they had witnessed before.

Joyce Poole — a conservationist, biologist and co-founder of not-for-profit Elephant Voices — said she had seen an elephant rumble out a contact call in the past, but noticed only one member of their group responded while others ignored them.

"Other times a different individual would answer, or perhaps none of the elephants that I was with answered," she said.

"Since the caller listened after calling, I knew she was waiting for an answer. 

"It made me wonder whether the elephants were 'rude' and simply ignoring one another or whether she wasn't calling the particular family members that I was with."

Harvard Medical School behavioural ecologist Caitlin O'Connell-Rodwell, who was not involved in the study, thought the findings were the tip of the iceberg for understanding elephant vocal complexity.

"[The study] puts a lot in perspective and totally makes sense as far as elephants trying to communicate over a kilometre or so, and wanting to address a specific individual," Dr O'Connell-Rodwell said.

Dr O'Connell-Rodwell said she had previously assumed elephants which reacted without delay to a call must have been an immediate family member. 

"Over time, I saw a more complex pattern emerging, but didn't know exactly what individuals were cueing in on," she said.

"This study very carefully assessed these situations and vocalisations and provided a quantitative answer to my long-standing question of why certain individuals responded more intently, other than the possibility of being more closely related."

What's in a name?

Although the new study's researchers believe they have found evidence of elephant names, they can't really tell how they are structured within the calls.

The human ear has a hard time detecting elements of elephant rumbles, which can be low on the decibel register.

Colorado State University wildlife conservation biologist George Wittemyer, a study co-author, said not understanding how elephant calls were encoded was a bit like not understanding an alphabet in human language.

Further research could also help understand if each elephant has a specific "name", or if they have a few different names that are used by different callers.

With room for interpretation, University of Western Australia behavioural ecologist Amanda Ridley, who was not part of the study, said whether name-like calls were truly being used by the African elephants was unclear.

"What I do think is convincing in the study is that they are using specific vocal information to address specific individuals," she said.

"This could be considered 'names' in some contexts."

But Dr Ridley said she thought it was the most convincing case of non-human name-use, which wasn't imitated , so far discovered in the animal kingdom.

"I think it highly possible other species do this as well, but the specific research to test this hasn't been conducted on them yet," she said.

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