Main Points

Research Problems

• A research problem is the focus of a research investigation.

Research Questions

• Many research problems are stated as questions.
• The essential characteristic of a researchable question is that there is some sort of information that can be collected in an attempt to answer the question.

Characteristics of Good Research Questions

• Research questions should be feasible -- that is, capable of being investigated with available resources.
• Research questions should be clear -- that is, unambiguous.
• Research questions should be significant -- that is, worthy of investigation.
• Research questions often (although not always) suggest a relationship to be investigated. The term "relationship," as used in research, refers to a connection or association between two or more characteristics or qualities.

Defining Terms in Research

• Three commonly used ways to clarify ambiguous or unclear terms in a research question involve the use of constitutive (dictionary-type) definitions; definition by example, and operational definitions.
• A constitutive definition uses additional terms to clarify meaning.
• An operational definition describes how examples of a term are to be measured or identified.