---
title: "Research question"
chunk: 1/3
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_question"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:42:55.419390+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

A research question is "a question that a research project sets out to answer". Choosing a research question is an essential element of both quantitative and qualitative research. Investigation will require data collection and analysis, and the methodology for this will vary widely. Good research questions seek to improve knowledge on an important topic, and are usually narrow and specific.
To form a research question, one must determine what type of study will be conducted such as a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed study. Additional factors, such as project funding, may not only affect the research question itself but also when and how it is formed during the research process. Literature suggests several variations on criteria selection for constructing a research question, such as the FINER or PICOT methods.

== Definition ==
The answer to a research question will help address a research problem or question. Specifying a research question, "the central issue to be resolved by a formal dissertation, thesis, or research project," is typically one of the first steps an investigator takes when undertaking research. Considerations, such as project funding or methodological approaches may influence the research process, including when and how the research question is developed. Clearly and accurately defining the research question can become an iterative process.   How the question is constructed can depend on the type of research or discipline.

== Constructing a research question ==
Specifying the research question is one of the first methodological steps the investigator has to take when undertaking research.  Having an interest in or knowledge of a particular subject can be useful in the construction of a research question. Formation of the research question is largely determined by, and likewise influences, where and what kind of information will be sought. The research question must be accurately and clearly defined. Choosing a research question is the central element of both quantitative and qualitative research and in some cases it may precede construction of the conceptual framework of study; in all cases, it makes the theoretical assumptions in the framework more explicit and indicates what the researcher wants to know most and first.  Therefore, the investigator must first identify the type of study (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed) before the research question is developed. Forming the research question may become an iterative process when parameters of the research process, such as field of study or methodology, do not fit the original question. Literature suggests several methods for selecting criteria in the development of a research question, two of which are the FINER and PICO methods.

=== Construction method examples ===

==== FINER criteria ====
The FINER method can be a useful tool for outlining research criteria used in the construction of a research question. Due to the flexibility of the criteria, this method may be used for a variety of research scenarios. The FINER method prompts researchers to determine whether one has the means and interest to conduct the study. It also asks one to consider the ethical ramifications, as well as the relevancy of the research.

According to Farrugia et al., the FINER criteria "highlight useful points that may increase the chances of developing a successful research project". These criteria were first suggested in the book Designing Clinical Research by Hulley et al., detailed below.F – Feasible
Adequate number of subjects
Adequate technical expertise
Affordable in time and money
Manageable in scope
I – Interesting

Getting the answer intrigues investigator, peers and community
N – Novel

Confirms, refutes or extends previous findings
E – Ethical

Amenable to a study that institutional review board will approve
R – Relevant

To scientific knowledge
To clinical and health policy
To future research

==== PICOT criteria ====
PICOT criteria tend to be used to frame questions used in evidence-based studies, such as medical studies. Such research may focus on assessment or evaluation of patients or problems, as well as what may be the causal factor(s) with control and experimental groups.P – Patient (or Problem)
I – Intervention (or Indicator)
C – Comparison group
O – Outcomes

T – Time Continuing the research process, the investigator then carries out the research necessary to answer the research question, whether this involves reading secondary sources over a few days for an undergraduate term paper or carrying out primary research over years for a major project. When the research is complete and the researcher knows the (probable) answer to the research question, writing up can begin (as distinct from writing notes, which is a process that goes on through a research project). In term papers, the answer to the question is normally given in summary in the introduction in the form of a thesis statement.

== Aggregated research questions and coordination ==

Scientists often communicate open research questions. Sometimes such questions are crowdsourced and/or aggregated, sometimes supplemented with priorities or other details. A common way open research questions are identified, communicated, established/confirmed and prioritized are their inclusion in scientific reviews of a sub-field or specific research question, including in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Other channels include reports by science journalists and dedicated (sub-)websites such as 80000hours.org's "research questions by discipline" or the Wikipedia articles of the lists of unsolved problems, aggregative/integrative studies, as well as unsolved online posts on Q&A websites and forums, sometimes categorized/marked as unsolved. There have been online surveys used to generate priority research topics which were then classified into broader themes. Such may improve research relevance and value or strengthen rationale for societal dedication of limited resources or expansions of the limited resources or for funding a specific study.

=== Prioritization and evaluations ===