Structure of descriptive research questions
- FIRST Choose your starting phrase ...
- SECOND Identify and name the dependent variable ...
- THIRD Identify the group (s) you are interested in ...
- FOURTH Decide whether the dependent variable or group (s) should be included first, last or in two parts ...
- FIFTH Include any words that provide greater context to your question ...
- SIXTH Write out the descriptive research question ...
- Choose your starting phrase.
- Identify and name the dependent variable.
- Identify the group(s) you are interested in.
- Decide whether the dependent variable or group(s) should be included first, last or in two parts.
- Include any words that provide greater context to your question.
What are the pros and cons of descriptive research?
What are the pros and cons of descriptive research?
- The collection of data is quick and easy to conduct, especially when doing surveys.
- It allows you to collect data in a natural environment that gives high-quality and honest data collection.
- It is easier to make decisions and go further for data analysis.
What are the types of descriptive research?
Descriptive, or qualitative, methods include the case study, naturalistic observation, surveys, archival research, longitudinal research, and cross-sectional research. Experiments are conducted in order to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
What is the purpose of a descriptive research?
Purpose of Descriptive Research To describe the characteristics or behaviors of a given population in a systematic and accurate fashion. It's not designed to test hypotheses, but to provide information about the physical, social, behavioral, economic, or psychological characteristics of some group of people.
What is the objective of descriptive research?
Advantages of Descriptive Research
- Effective to analyse non-quantified topics and issues
- The possibility to observe the phenomenon in a completely natural and unchanged natural environment
- The opportunity to integrate the qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection
- Less time-consuming than quantitative experiments
Why is a research question written?
In most studies, the research question is written so that it outlines various aspects of the study, including the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses. As their name implies, research questions are often grounded on research.
How to make a research question clear?
Make the research question as specific and concise as possible to ensure clarity. Avoid using words or terms that don’t add to the meaning of the research question.
What is a Research Question?
A research question is a question that a study or research project aims to answer. This question often addresses an issue or a problem, which, through analysis and interpretation of data, is answered in the study’s conclusion. In most studies, the research question is written so that it outlines various aspects of the study, including the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses.
What is qualitative research?
Qualitative research questions may concern broad areas of research or more specific areas of study. Similar to quantitative research questions, qualitative research questions are linked to research design. Unlike their quantitative counterparts, though, qualitative research questions are usually adaptable, non-directional, and more flexible (Creswell, 2013). As a result, studies using these questions generally aim to “discover,” “explain,” or “explore.”
How to focus on gaps in literature?
Once you have gathered enough knowledge on the topic you want to pursue, you can start focusing on a more specific area of study. One option is to focus on gaps in existing knowledge or recent literature. Referred to by Sandberg and Alvesson (2011) as “gap-spotting,” this method involves constructing research questions out of identified limitations in literature and overlooked areas of study. Similarly, researchers can choose research questions that extend or complement the findings of existing literature.
What type of research questions can be classified into different categories?
Knowing what type of research one wants to do—quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies—can help in determining the best type of research question to use.
What is relationship research?
Relationship research questions seek to explore and define trends and interactions between two or more variables. These questions often include both dependent and independent variables and use words such as “association” or “trends.”
When is descriptive research appropriate?
Descriptive research is an appropriate choice when the research aim is to identify characteristics, frequencies, trends, and categories. It is useful when not much is known yet about the topic or problem. Before you can research why something happens, you need to understand how, when and where it happens. Descriptive research question examples.
What is descriptive research design?
A descriptive research design can use a wide variety of research methods to investigate one or more variables. Unlike in experimental research, the researcher does not control or manipulate any of the variables, but only observes and measures them.
What is survey research?
Survey research allows you to gather large volumes of data that can be analyzed for frequencies, averages and patterns. Common uses of surveys include:
What is descriptive research?
Descriptive research questions attempt to describe the behavior of a population in regard to one or more variables or describe characteristics of those variables that will be measured. These questions are usually “What?” questions.
How can a research question be constructed?
By identifying limitations in literature and overlooking areas of study, a research question can be constructed. The same is true for choosing research questions that extend or complement existing literature.
What Is A Good Research Question?
Listed below are the important characteristics of a good research question:
What are the two major types of research?
Qualitative and quantitative research are the two major types of research, and it is essential to develop research questions for each type of study.
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
Qualitative research questions are less directional, more flexible , and adaptable compared with their quantitative counterparts. Thus, studies based on these questions tend to focus on “discovering,” “explaining,” “elucidating,” and “exploring.”
What are relationship research questions?
Relationship research questions are designed to elucidate and describe trends and interactions among variables. These questions include the dependent and independent variables and use words such as “association” or “trends.”
What is exploratory research?
Exploratory research questions focus on the unknown aspects of a particular topic.
What should a research question be based on?
The research question should be developed based on initial reading around your topic, and it should focus on addressing a problem or gap in the existing knowledge.
How many questions are there in a research question?
Depending on the scope of your research, you may identify just one question or several. You may also have one primary research question and several secondary questions or sub-questions that relate to the same problem.
Why is it important to have a research question?
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:
What is the thesis statement in a research paper?
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, ...
What should a question aim to contribute to?
The question should aim to contribute to an existing debate — ideally one that is current in your field or in society at large. It should produce knowledge that future researchers or practitioners can build on.
Can you answer research questions with different types of research?
Most research questions can be answered with various types of research, but the way you frame your question should help drive your research design choices.
Can you answer a question with easily found facts and figures?
Cannot be answered with easily found facts and figures. If you can answer the question through a Google search or by reading a single book or article, it is probably not complex enough. A good research question requires original data, synthesis of multiple sources, interpretation and/or argument to provide an answer.
What Is A Research Question?
Types of Research Questions
Steps to Developing A Good Research Question
- Broadly, a good research question should be relevant, decided, and meaningful (Stone, 2002). Creating a research question can be a tricky process, but there is a specific method you can follow to ease the process. The steps to this method are outlined below:
Examples of Good and Bad Research Questions
- The following examples of good and bad research questions can further guide researchers on properly constructing a research question. Example no. 1 Bad: How does social media affect people’s behavior? Good:What effect does the daily use of YouTube have on the attention span of children aged under 16? The first research question is considered bad because of the vaguenes…
Important Points to Keep in Mind in Creating A Research Question
- Developing the right research question is a critical first step in the research process. The key points outlined below should help researchers in the pursuit: 1. The development of a research question is an iterative process that involves continuously updating one’s knowledge on the topic and refining ideas at all stages (Maxwell, 2013). 2. Remain ...