1. Chapter 4 Developing your Research Question
Zina O’Leary

2. The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as ask the right questions.
Claude Lévi-Strauss
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

3. The Importance of Research Questions
Developing a well-articulated research question is an important part of the process because:
it defines the investigation
sets boundaries
provides direction
acts as a frame of reference for assessing your work.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

4. Defining Your Topic
If you are finding it a challenge to generate a research topic you can:
hone in on your passions
use your curiosity
look for inspiration from the creative arts
develop ‘right brain’ skills such as concept mapping.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

5. Concept Map of Potential Research Topics
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

6. From Interesting Topics to Researchable Questions
An ‘angle’ for your research can
come from insights stemming
from:
personal experience
theory
observations
contemporary issues
engagement with the literature.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

7. Minding Practicalities
Research directions are not always at the full discretion of the researcher. Practicalities include:
appropriateness of the topic
your ability to get supervisory support
funding opportunities and commitments.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

8. Cycles of Research Question Development
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

9. The Hypothesis Dilemma
Hypotheses are designed to express relationships between variables. If this is the nature of your question, a hypothesis can add to your research.
If your question is more descriptive or explorative, generating a hypothesis may not be appropriate.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

10. The Hypothesis Dilemma
A hypothesis may not be appropriate if:
you do not have a hunch or educated guess about a particular situation
you do not have a set of defined variables
your question centres on phenomenological description
your question centres on an ethnographic study of a cultural group
your aim is to engage in, and research, the process of collaborative change.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

11. Narrowing and Clarifying
Narrowing, clarifying, and even redefining your questions is essential to the research process.
Forming the right ‘questions’ should be seen as an iterative process that is informed by reading and doing at all stages.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

12. Assessing your Question
In order to assess your question you will need to explore whether your question:
is right for you
is right for the field
is well articulated
is doable
will get the tick of approval from those in the know.
Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage