Unit 4: Fundamentals of Academic Essay Writing
22 Creating a Research Question
Introduction to Research Questions
A research question (RQ) helps guide your research. It tells you what you are studying and what kind of information to look for. As you read your sources and review your notes, always look for answers to your research question.
Parts of a Research Question
A research question has two main parts:
- The topic
- This is what your research is about.
- It is usually a noun or noun phrase.
- The focus
- This shows what you want to say about the topic.
- The focus helps you know what type of information to look for as you read.
- Why do people become addicted to social media?
In the example above:
- Topic: addiction to social media
- Focus: reasons why people become addicted (the causes)
If this were your research question, you would read your sources and notes to find reasons people become addicted to social media.
EXERCISE
Types of focus
Adapted from: Dollahite, N.E. & Huan, J. (2012). SourceWork: Academic Writing for Success.
YOUR TURN
For each research question, identify the following:
- The topic
- The type of focus
- The information to look for
Example #1: How much do test preparation courses impact students’ TOEFL and IELTS scores?
Example #2: Should the age to get a driver’s license be raised from 16 to 18?
Example #3: How do the university school systems in the United States and South Korea compare with each other?
Research Questions with More than One Focus
Some research questions have more than one focus.
- In what ways can understanding the causes of smart phone addiction help a person to stop using it compulsively?
In the example above, the research question has two focuses:
- The causes of smart phone addiction (cause)
- The methods for stopping them (process)
When a research question has more than one focus, you need to look for different kinds of information in your sources.
Generative AI Tools for Writing a Research Question
Web‑based tools can support academic reading and writing when used responsibly.
You may use generative AI to help you develop and refine a research question for your argumentative essay.
AI can support your work by:
- Helping you narrow a broad topic into a focused question
- Suggesting possible angles or issues related to your topic
- Helping you check if a research question is too broad or too simple
- Showing examples of argumentative research questions
Example Prompts
-
- How can I narrow this topic into a research question: [topic]?
- Is this research question too broad or too narrow? Why?
- Give me an example of an argumentative research question about [topic].
- How can I revise this question to make it more focused? [paste question]
Use these suggestions to guide your thinking, not to copy directly.
What AI Should NOT Do
- ❌ Choose your research question for you
- ❌ Write your thesis or essay
- ❌ Replace thinking about your topic and sources
- ❌ Be trusted without instructor or source confirmation
⚠️ Important: AI may suggest questions that do not fit your assignment or course goals. Always check your research question with your instructor, assignment guidelines, and course materials before using it in your essay.
Key Takeaways
- A research question helps guide your reading and research.
- Every research question has a topic and a focus.
- The focus tells you what type of information to look for in your sources.
- Some research questions have more than one focus, so you look for different kinds of information.
- Understanding your research question helps you take better notes and organize ideas.
Source consulted
Adapted from: Dollahite, N. E., & Huan, J. (2012). SourceWork: Academic Writing for Success
