The research question is the foundation of your research paper. It is a concise and clear question that guides your entire research. It is advisable to take your time devising the research question that best suits what you want to work on!
Originality drives research! By asking newer questions, we work on expanding preexisting knowledge bases, which is why it's important to think of a question that is of value not only to you, but to the research community at large. While you are not expected to have a completely novel, never-before-researched question for this program, it's always helpful to ask yourself: 'What are the questions that haven't been asked in this area?' as you formulate your question.
Having a question that is not overly-broad is key in guiding your research process, otherwise you may not know where to begin! You should intentionally focus on a particular topic or a closely-related set of ideas for your research so that you can devise meaningful methodologies and results.
Alternatively, you may end up making your question too narrow, resulting in there being a limiting scope for what you can do research on. We strongly recommend you consult with your mentor when framing your question to ensure that you devise something that has the right amount of specificity.
<aside> 💡 Frame your questions such that they guide fact-/analysis-based research and do not ask for subjective opinions.
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As researchers, it's natural for us to want to know as much as possible about our interests and the world around us. At the same time, it's important for us to be realistic in terms what we can achieve and answer through our research. The research question guides our entire research process, so ensuring that it asks a question we are capable of answering is crucial. If you're doing your research in Mathematics, for example, it may not be the best idea for you to examine a PhD-level proof because you may not be equipped to address it, no matter how much it interests you.
When developing your question, think about your skill and knowledge level in the field, about the kind of data you will need access to, and whether this is something you will be able to address within the span of this program. You can also discuss these with your mentor to get their input.
Is your question something that people care about? Is there something you can ask/do differently from what people have done before?
In addition, your research question will define your work and research for the next several months. Ensure that the topic you choose and the question you ask are of interest to you!
“Does using insurance services affect the quality of life for older people?”