I recently worked through a student's paper, which posed three distinct research questions.
I shuddered.
I closed my laptop, took a walk, calmed my emotions, deleted two questions, wordsmithed the other, and went back to commenting on the paper.
When the paper returned to me again, it had three questions.
I scowled.
I repeated my coping strategy.
This time, I commented in the text, "feel free to put two questions, never three."
Why?
Because a research question should focus your attention on one, perhaps two, issues that your paper will address.
When you reach three questions, your work either lacks focus or is overly complex. Cut one. You will write a better paper.
So, how can you go about articulating a focused question? That matters to you?
First, go back to the hook (phenomenon) you will use to reel your reader into the paper.
Here are a few tips on setting a hook: https://lnkd.in/g5va-egd
Ask yourself, what intrigued you about the phenomenon? That made you want to dig deeper?
Second, scan your literature.
As you do, answer two sets of questions.
Set One: Is the phenomenon novel? If it is, you are in blue water. Start sketching out questions. If it is no, ask yourself, do I really want to study this? If you think you can add value, start sketching out questions.
Set Two: How are questions posed? In your top journals? At what level of analysis? Are they focused? or broader? If you think you have a handle on how to write questions, sketch out a few more.
These questions help contextualize your question to your field.
Third, focus on a question.
Align the question with a method. A good question is consistent with the method and phenomenon you want to chase.
I'm a positivist. So for me, a good question should give a sense of a) the phenomenon, b) the unit of analysis, and c) the outcome variable.
If I were an interpretivist, I would pose a broader question that focuses a reader on an exciting phenomenon, rupture or break that merits investigation.
Ask, does this still interest you? If yes, keep going. If no, abandon the idea or refine the question.
Fourth, take stock of the possible answers to the question.
Ask.
If I answer this question, will it slake my curiosity? If the answer is no, abandon the project or revisit step two.
Then ask.
If I answer this question, where can I place my work?
If you are early career, if possible outlets don't help with tenure, set the project aside. If you are late career, if possible outlets make you happy, then chase it.
Research questions that matter will keep you curious and make you happy.
Is my process complex? Yes.
But, when I'm done, I have clarity about a) what I'm studying, b) the novelty of possible answers, c) where my work is going, and d) if it makes me happy.
And here is the thing, my process usually ends with one question, maybe two, never three.
Best of luck with your writing!
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