Formulating a Research Question

Formulating a Research Question

Once the research design process is established, the next step in conducting a research investigation in the behavioral sciences is in the area of questioning and hypothesis testing. Without a research question, no answer to a problem can exist. To this end, a research question based on a clearly identified research area must be precisely and accurately formatted and presented.

The research question not only details the content area of investigation but also alerts the reviewer about the research design of the study and the method of analysis. In essence, the research question is the guiding force behind the research investigation. The research question cannot be too broad or too narrow. In addition, the investigator must be sure that the topic can be researched.

The formulation of a good hypothesis should follow the development of a research question. In the behavioral sciences, the testable hypothesis is basically a restatement of the research question with the addition that something is or is not expected to result from the research investigation. In addition, the hypothesis is a restatement of the research question in testable form. The hypothesis is a tentative statement that should either be acknowledged or be rejected by means of research.

The research hypothesis may be stated in a directional or nondirectional form, meaning whether you think there will simply be a difference between groups (nondirectional) or whether you think there will be a difference in a specific way, such as one group outperforming another (directional). Once the research question has been set, the research investigator continues to develop a testable hypothesis followed by data analysis and to arrive at a conclusion by answering the initially proposed research question.