18/03/2023
RESEARCH QUESTION (TOPIC).
Formulating a research question is about coming up with a topic which you will research on. Often times, Supervisors send students back to rephrase research topics because they may be too broad, vague, or not feasible.
Here's an easy way to work around this:
Identify your area of interest: Start by identifying a broad area of interest that you would like to explore. This could be something that you are curious about, passionate about, or that you have experience with. Imagine conducting a research on something you find disinteresting, you will be disengaged for the most part. And we can't afford that because research writing can get a little messy sometimes. A broad area can be any of the following; Human Resources, Management, Economics, etc.
Narrow down the focus: Once you have identified a broad area of interest, you need to narrow it down to a specific topic or issue that you want to explore. Ask yourself questions like: What aspect of this area do I find most interesting? What questions do I have about this topic? Examples of areas in Human Resources can be organisational policies or work-life balance.
Formulate a research question: Once you have narrowed down your focus, formulate a research question that you want to explore. A research question should be clear, specific, and answerable. It should also be relevant and important to your field of study.
Look around for similar research questions and how other academicians phrased them
Example, -The impact of work-life balance policies on job satisfaction.
Refine your research question: After formulating your research question, refine it by making sure that it is feasible, ethical, and interesting.
Example; -The impact of work-life balance policies on job satisfaction of employees. A case study of employees in the private sector in Lusaka, Zambia.
Looks refined and feasible right? I mean, time and resources can't allow us to study all the employees in the world - thats why we should refine it to a manageable manner. Compare the example here and the previous one and spot out the difference.
See? Easy!