1. GRASP - Graduate Research Advanced Skills Program
CANDIDACY PROPOSAL SERIES
2 Developing & refining your research questions
In this workshop, students will clarify their understanding of the differences between topic, hypothesis, research question and thesis statement, and learn how to develop and refine a clear, provocative and researchable question.

2. 2 Develop & refine your research question
AIMS OF TODAY’S CLASS
By the end of the workshop, participants will
have considered how to move from research problem to research question
understand the criteria for making and evaluating an effective research question
have practiced refining their own problem statement and research question
appreciate that the research question can (and perhaps should?) change over time

3. 2 Develop & refine your research question
“ The PhD question…is an elusive thing.
It’s an intellectual horizon; the closer you approach, the further it recedes.
The more I read (and read and…) the more detail and controversy appears
from which I could fashion a specific, unique, significant question.
Which naturally makes it all the more difficult to select one! ”
Paula Hanasz (Dec , The thesis whisperer)
You don’t want to be metaphorically hitting at the piñata, to see what research questions might happen to ‘fall out’.
It’s necessary to be more systematic than that.

4. What is a research question?
2 Develop & refine your research questions
What is a research question?
To think about how to answer this, a certain process is first elaborated:
A problem statement is a response to a particular situation, state of affairs,
idea or understanding of the state of affairs.
A research question is a response to a problem statement.
A hypothesis or thesis statement is a response to a research question.

5. Q. “How do Murakami’s fictional trilogies develop a complex critique
2 Develop & refine your research questions
What is a research question?
Example – use the Q & A structure
Q. “How do Murakami’s fictional trilogies develop a complex critique
of contemporary Japanese culture?”
A. “Murakami’s fictional trilogies use the structure of the simulacrum to
develop a complex critique of contemporary Japanese culture.”

6. Why is a research question so important?
2 Develop & refine your research questions
“A good research question helps to:
• guide the research process
• construct a logical argument
• write a literature review
• plan thesis chapters
• devise efficient search strategies.”
Why is a research question so important?

7. Why is a research question so important?
2 Develop & refine your research questions
Why is a research question so important?
Focusing Your Literature Review | The Learning Centre – Online Programs

8. Jacobs’ three-part problem statement
2 Develop & refine your research questions
NAMING THE PROBLEM
Jacobs’ three-part problem statement
Principle proposition a statement that is true/generally accepted
Interacting proposition contradicts the principal proposition
Speculative proposition juxtaposes the previous two findings
Then do worksheet

9. Jacobs’ three-part problem statement -
2 Develop & refine your research questions
NAMING THE PROBLEM
Jacobs’ three-part problem statement -
an example
Principle proposition “Various critics have claimed that Murakami’s fiction
represents a search for a lost identity in contemporary
Japanese culture”.
2. Interacting proposition “It is questionable as to whether ‘identity’ has been a
central concern of Japanese literary modernity.”
3. Speculative proposition “Rather than the issue of ‘identity’, Murakami’s fiction
uses literary tropes and discursive techniques to address
the problems of subjectivity and representation in his
critique of contemporary Japanese culture.”
Then do worksheet

10. Criteria for a good research question (Foss, 2015)
2 Develop & refine your research questions
Criteria for a good research question (Foss, 2015)
Clearly identifies the theoretical construct you are studying. (the phenomenon you want to learn about)
Contains some suggestion of recognisability of the theoretical construct. (the wording of the construct is specific & clear)
Transcends your data. (the question should be more abstract than the specific data)
Identifies your study’s contribution to an understanding of the theoretical construct. (name what happens to the theoretical
construct)
Has the capacity to surprise. (if you already know the answer – you are not dong research)
Can produce robust results (the capacity to produce complex results and multiple insights)
The Research Question: Video (AIRS – QUhttps://mediawarehouse.qut.edu.au/QMW/player/?dID=27746&dDocName=QMW_025702

11. 2 Develop & refine your research questions
Foss’ criteria adapted by QUT ‘AIRS’ program

12. 2 Develop & refine your research questions
Foss’ criteria adapted by QUT ‘AIRS’ program
QUT | media warehouse | Player

13. 2 Develop & refine your research questions
“Examples of how to begin research questions which typically produce robust findings” (Foss, P.43):
“What is the nature of…”
“What are the functions of…”
“What are the mechanisms by which…”
“How do….perceive…”
“What factors affect…”
“What strategies are used…”
“How do…affect…”
“What are the effects of…”
“What is the relationship between…”
“ How are…defined…”
“How do…differ…”
“Under what conditions do…”

14. 2 Develop & refine your research questions
KEEP IN MIND
The response to the research question is the ‘thesis statement’ (central claim – the ‘big idea’
of the thesis.
An effective thesis statement may have has ‘tension’ and complexity.
You could use an ‘A’ and ‘B’ structure, qualifying the claim:
“Although it has been widely claimed that ‘A is the case…this research will show that ‘B’
is a more accurate way of explaining/describing…”
The question needs to match the length and scope of the thesis.
Get the balance right - not too broad OR narrow.

15. 2 Develop & refine your research questions
REFERENCES
Fielder, J
Foss, S “Developing your itinerary: the preproposal”. Destination dissertation: a traveller’s guide to a done dissertation. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield
Hanasz P “The PhD piñata (or, groping for research questions)” The Thesis Whisperer (Dec ).
Jacobs, R “Developing a dissertation research problem: a guide for doctoral students in human resource development and adult education”. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development