How do you create a research question that is both relevant and original?

One thing I have found helpful is to first identify the global issue/problem under which my research idea falls and then I narrow down the issues to specifics. From there, I'll draft a problem statement and write out 3-4 critical literature review questions from the problem statement. I'll conduct a critical literature review especially using reviewed articles on these ideas. From the critical literature, I have concrete and practical knowledge/data/information that will guide me in framing my research questions. I think another idea is to discuss your research idea and proposed research topics with experts in the same field.

Identify the Broad Topic: Start by identifying the broad area or topic you are interested in researching. Consider current trends, gaps in existing knowledge, or emerging issues within that field. Review Existing Literature: Conduct a thorough review of relevant literature, including scholarly articles, books, and other reputable sources. This will help you understand the existing knowledge and identify any research gaps or unanswered questions. Define the Scope: Narrow down the focus of your research by defining the specific scope and boundaries of your study. Consider the specific population, geographic location, time frame, or other relevant factors that will shape your research question.

To find relevant and original research questions, one must identify where things are not working as well as they could be. Then, one should explore from two different ends: the basics of the area where the problem resides ("from the ground up" vision), and the universe of solutions that have previously been proposed ("top down" vision). Sometimes solutions are not properly aligned with the problem they are trying to solve. Sometimes what is obvious just does not work. And sometimes you can spot a hole that could lead you right to a new solution. These are the places where you can find the best research questions.

In my personal experience as graduate student, identifying a research topic is less about interest, but more about novelty and need. This mindset is not glamorous or necessarily exciting, but it is practical and realistic which are both characteristics needed to understand the scope of the research and overall impact. That being said, recognizing the legitimacy of the work and the audience who will put it to use down-the-line is of utmost importance.

Einstein is quoted as saying: 'If you can't explain it to a six year old, then you don't know it' The same or similar quote as been attributed to others but Einstein is easy to remember! Imagine someone is asking you about your research work and research questions, how will you explain it to them, so that it is unambiguous? Discuss with colleague/other researchers to distil your ideas, identifying the main themes. What will be your methods of enquiry and why have you chosen them? What exactly are you trying to find out? As a challenge: Sum it up in one paragraph containing the essentials. If you can sum it up clearly in a sentence instead, then you may have a working title or research question.

Thank you so much Dr. Jane Kay I have equally learnt much from your professional guide. I am a MSc student "Sustainable Food and Natural Resources" and I 'm struggling to come up with the research topic and questions for my thesis. Your guide has given me a rough idea on how I should phrase the questions. May I further chat with you Doc. My email: [email protected] or my WhatsApp line is +260955405971 I thank you in advance. Mofya

Developing a feasible & insightful question involves either understanding an existing problem/current solution(s) or posing a novel solution to a problem not widely recognized. This question can start broad and become refined, but it can be difficult to reign in. Ex. How does mental health impact productivity at work? There are multiple lenses through which this question can be addressed, so instead pose a slightly more specific question. Ex. What components of anxiety/depression influence an individual's ability to complete tasks? Are there cognitive functions specifically affected by mental health issues? These questions address specific problems, rather than an overarching relationship that would need a multitude of studies to answer.

Refining a research question should include mapping out the research aims and determining what can practically be achieved with the available resources. This can allow a researcher to develop their question more precisely, and in turn, gain more accurate findings. It can also lead to developing future works based on more thorough initial findings.

Assessing a research question should also include identifying its limitations. When thinking about the scope and outcome measures, are there important considerations that could influence how the results of your research could be interpreted?

Use the people around you as a major resource! Have them look over your research question, another set of eyes are always helpful in terms of understanding whether or not your research question has merit or not.

To avoid Bias - ask other expert(s) and yes non-expert as well . See what addition(s) needed and if the topic/results would exite them as well.

There is a space within arts practice that doesn’t fit a broad to narrow project. In drawing for instance one may try to realise an initial intuition only to produce a variance, or even to loose sight of the original intuition. The drawer works through repetition and variance, through conditions either/ both to get lost or to find something. So this is a form of research question as paradox - the paradox being one doesn’t seek the answer, but a foreground to explore. In fact in question as paradox, the correct answer defeats the state of ambivalence necessary to produce creative work.

De mon point de vue, une question de recherche ne se "créée" pas, elle ressort de manière parfois presque évidente d'une relation avec un terrain, d'une interaction avec son objet d'étude. Après, tout dépend bien s?r des discipline et des objets d'étude.