I have difficulty coming up with a good formulation of a problem (A9, A10).


One of the most difficult skills to master is how to formulate a relevant, clear, and feasible research question. Choosing the appropriate question does not mean knowing the answer beforehand. On the contrary, it should enable you to come up with a relevant answer. Never start your practical research without a clear question or set of questions. In order to reduce the risk of you coming up with a question that you cannot, should not, or need not answer, consider the following six suggestions (Skill Sheet A9):

• Ask yourself first what you want to know, only then should you consider what information you need to help you answer the question.

• Take your research time frame into account. The shorter the time available:

• The more your first question should also be your final question;
• The more modest your research question should be;
• The more you will have to build your question on what others have specified as ‘good questions for further research’ in their research conclusions.

• Your research question should enable you to be critical and creative

• Compile a list of key words that you think best cover your research topic. It helps you focus on the most important research topics and makes it easier to find relevant sources.

• Decide on beforehand what you consider to be the clearest value (added) of your research.

• Ask yourself what kind of research questions you yourself prefer to read. See Skill Sheet A10 for detailed information on how to formulate a research question.

 

Back to Doing research

  

 

About the book

Seven core skills

Table of contents

About the author

Bibliographic information