4 Steps to the Perfect Research Question

All set? Then let’s get started! When choosing a topic, it’s helpful to take a look at the past, present, and future.

• Past: Were there any topics in your studies that particularly caught your interest? Perhaps you’ve already given a presentation on a specific issue that you can build on. Always stay attentive in seminars and lectures, and jot down facts, questions, theories, or anything else you’d like to explore further in a dedicated list.
• Present: What are your personal strengths and interests? Don’t underestimate the importance of this question. As we all know, it’s much easier to stay motivated when you’re passionate about the topic. Even if the seminar’s overarching theme initially seems dull, there’s often a way to make your work engaging for you. More on that in the second step.
• Future: What are your career goals? Do you want to pursue a research-oriented path, or are you more inclined toward practical work? For final papers, specializing in a topic relevant to your career can boost your chances of landing your dream job. If you’re writing your first term paper, these questions might feel a bit abstract, but even then, it’s a great opportunity to explore your interests.

At this stage, it’s never too early to start your literature review! This will give you a preliminary overview of which topics are currently prominent in research or have yet to be fully explored. Don’t forget to create a list of frequently cited works and researchers so you can reference them later (see: snowball method). It can also be helpful to visualize the connections between different subject areas using a mind map. Over time, you’ll develop a clearer idea of which topic is best suited for your academic paper.

2. Defining the Focus of Your Paper

By now, you’ve explored your topic and identified aspects that intrigue you. The next step is to determine which of these aspects will be the central focus of your paper. Think of it this way: the main topic is the tree trunk, subtopics are the branches, and specific research questions are the leaves. After thoroughly examining the trunk, it’s time to take a closer look at the branches.

In general, any subject can be analyzed from various perspectives, each leading to different research questions. Narrowing down the scope by time or place is almost always an option, and there are additional approaches depending on your field. For example, in sociology, you might focus on a specific group of people, while in education, you could target a particular grade level. Even if your narrowed-down topic feels overly specific, academic papers tend to run long rather than short. Scholarly writing should prioritize depth over breadth. This is especially important in university assignments, as it demonstrates that you’ve thoroughly engaged with your topic and gained a deep understanding of it.

For more tips on narrowing down your topic, click here.

3. Determining the Methodology

In the previous step, you defined the focus of your research — essentially answering the question of what you want to uncover. However, your research focus is not the same as your paper’s objective. The objective describes how you will achieve your insights, which brings us to methodology!

First, let’s distinguish between two main types of research: literature-based and empirical. A literature-based paper relies on existing texts (e.g., books or academic journals), where you critically evaluate and compare key findings and arguments. In contrast, an empirical study involves conducting original research. This approach is particularly suited for underexplored research questions, as you’re not confined to available literature. Within empirical research, you can choose between qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative studies focus on a small number of cases, which are analyzed in depth (e.g., through interviews). Quantitative studies, on the other hand, emphasize the number of results and involve analyzing structured data collected via standardized tools like surveys. In many fields, qualitative methods are reserved for more complex projects, such as final theses. When selecting your methodology, always take your academic and personal capabilities into account! For further details, check out this article.

4. Formulating the Research Question

Now that you’ve completed all the necessary preparations, it’s time to decide on a research question! Keep in mind that the questions we ask in everyday life don’t meet academic standards. As a result, your research question might initially sound unnatural or overly long — but that’s a good sign! It should act as the guiding thread for your paper, steering its direction. The more specific the research context is within the question, the better.

It’s crucial to avoid questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Similarly, question words like “when” or “where” are less suitable, as they leave limited room for exploration compared to “to what extent” or “how.” Additionally, your question must be free of bias or preconceived notions. For example, “Why is a vegan diet the best?” is unsuitable, while “What effects does a vegan diet have on the health of European adults?” is neutral and allows for an unbiased analysis. In your main text, you can address specific sub-questions, but the central research question — introduced in your introduction — should consist of just one sentence.

A good way to test your research question’s feasibility is by creating hypotheses. These are potential answers to your question, which you will either confirm or refute during your research. Depending on the type of paper, hypotheses might not be explicitly mentioned, but taking the time to develop them can be invaluable. If you struggle to form clear hypotheses, it may indicate an issue with your research question, and you should revisit it critically.

We hope this guide has been helpful and that you can approach your project with confidence and inspiration! If you’re still looking for ideas, take a look at our catalog, featuring over 200,000 academic papers from a wide range of fields and categories. Happy browsing!