Writing Research Questions

Lesson objective

• Write research topic• Formulate research questions

Where are we…

Observation/ Background survey

Broad area of research

Literature review

Problem definition

Topic

Problem statement

Research questions

Theoretical framework

Variables clearly identified

Hypothesis generation

Research design

Methods

Data collection

Analysis

Interpretation

Deduction

Hypothesis substantiated?

RQ answered?

Research Topics -Examples

• Research topics 1• Research topics 2• Research topics 3• http://

www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/

Research questions

• Guides your purpose• Each research question give clear idea

of your research Quantitative or qualitative? Experimental? Survey?Should you interview people, or would the

data from a survey answer it? • With RQs, easier to identify the

assumptions underlying the question, and the “theories” behind it

Writing research questions

• Basically • Re-formulate your topic as a research

question - one that ends with “…?”• Ask preliminary questions about this title

• Ask as many• Generate several questions

• Formulate a direct question - be precise

How to derive research questions..

• Questions you can ask• What are the characteristics of this thing?• What happens? • And in what order do things happen? • When does it happen? To whom? • When does it NOT happen? • For whom is it a problem? Why is it a

problem for them? • How can one tell it is a problem?

• Keep those you can answer

EXAMPLES

Topic Preliminary questions

Disruptive behaviour among Pre- TESL Students

What are the “ disruptive behaviours”?What happens? When does it happen? To whom? When does it NOT happen? For whom is it a problem? Why is it a problem for them? How can one tell it’s a problem?

How to derive research questions..

• Shortlist the questions • What exactly IS the research problem here? • Why is it important? • Why does it need to be solved? • How could I go about solving it? • What exactly would I have to do, to solve it? • If I did that, what would my data look like? • What would my findings look like?

• Answer the last three as precise as you can

Ask what you would have to do to solve the research problem

• What or who will form my sample?• Why those/that, rather than others? • How will I select them? • How will I gain access to them? • What exactly will I use? • Why that/those, rather than other

equipment/instruments/analytical methods?

EXAMPLE -Research Questions

• What are the factors that contribute towards the disruptive behaviours of Pre-TESL students?

• What are the Pre-TESL students’ (with disruptive behaviours) attitudes towards authority?

• Is there a relationship between disruptive behaviour and previous schooling of Pre-TESL students ?

Differences Among Area, Problem, Purpose and Questions

General

Specific

Topic/ Area

ResearchProblem

PurposeStatement

ResearchQuestion

Pre TESL Students with disruptive behaviour

Pre TESL students display disruptive behaviour

To study why Pre TESL students display disruptive behaviour

What are the factors that contribute towards the disruptive behaviours of Pre TESL students?

Differences Among Area, Problem, Purpose and Questions

General

Specific

Topic Area

ResearchProblem

PurposeStatement

ResearchQuestion

Science Education

Anxiety in science classes

To study the anxiety among students who attend Physics classes?

What is the anxiety level of students who attend Physics classes at the UiTM Faculty of Education,?Is there a difference between the anxiety level of male and female students attending Physics classes at the UiTM Faculty of Education,?

Differences Among Area, Problem, Purpose and Questions

General

Specific

Topic Area

ResearchProblem

PurposeStatement

ResearchQuestion

Online Learning

Isolation in the online learning environment

To study how students perceive social presence in the online learning environment

What is the online learners’ perception of social presence in an online learning community?

Questions into hypothesis

• Strategy to unpack the question• highlight some of its different aspects• make it easier to identify an angle from

which the research question can be answered

• Deriving a statement that can be true or false

EXAMPLES

Topic Questions Hypotheses

Disruptive behaviour in religious high schools

Is there a relationship between parents’ educational level and disruptive behaviours of religious high school students?

There is a relationship between parents’ educational level and the religious high school student’s display of disruptive behaviour

More Examples : RQs

• How does group discussion facilitate concept formation?

• Do individual motivational characteristics affect cognitive learning outcomes?

• What can international students tell about the impact of culture on their experiences in education courses designed and delivered by a Malaysian university?

Examples of hypotheses

• There is a relationship between individual motivational characteristics and cognitive learning outcomes

Fitting things together

Research questions

Background survey

Research problem

Theoretical framework

Problems

RESEARCH INTEREST/AREA

Issues

Concerns

Next- Literature review

Observation/ Background survey

Broad area of research

Literature review

Problem definition

Problem statement

Research topic

Research questions

Theoretical framework

Variables clearly identified

Hypothesis generation

Research design

Methods

Data collection

Analysis

Interpretation

Deduction

Hypothesis substantiated?

RQ answered?

Tasks

• Task 1• Write your problem statement• Write your research questions• Write hypothesis if you are studying

relationship/differences

• Task 2• Read the reflection • Identify one researchable problem• Write two(2) research questions