Skip to Main Content

Research Science: Research Questions

What Makes a Good Question?

  • Clear and focused: not too broad or vague

  • Researchable: can be answered with available sources or data

  • Specific: includes key details like population, setting, or variables

  • Open-ended: invites explanation and analysis, not just a yes/no answer

Example:
Too broad: What affects climate change?
Focused: How does urban light pollution affect the nocturnal behavior of local moth species?

Getting Started

You have to know where you're going before you can figure out how to get there. It's true whether you're trying to navigate Mercersburg or the literature for a research assignment. As you start exploring, keep in mind the differences between your topic and question:

Research Topic: a broad subject that you are interested in investigating. For instance, flu shots or vaccines are topics.

Research Question: drives your investigation. It is something that you want to know about your topic; something you will explore and try to answer. For example, "Does a delayed distribution timeline for childhood vaccines increase the likelihood that a child will contract a vaccine-preventable illness in the United States?" is a research question.     

Tip: If you need some help figuring out a question, go to back the classics: Who, What, When, Where or Why.

Frameworks

There are many models for writing a research question, here are a few: 

Name Explanation Template

PICO (often used in science and health research):

  • Population or problem – Who or what are you studying?

  • Intervention or influence – What factor are you looking at?

  • Comparison – What is your control or alternative?

  • Outcome – What effect or result are you measuring?

 Template: In [Population], how does [Intervention] compared to [Comparison] affect [Outcome]?
SPIDER (often used in qualitative and mixed-methods research):
  • Sample – Who or what is being studied?
  • Phenomenon of Interest – What experience, behavior, or situation is being examined?
  • Design – What method will be used to study it (e.g., interviews, surveys, observation)?
  • Evaluation – What outcomes or responses will be measured (e.g., attitudes, perceptions, experiences)?
  • Research type – What type of research is it (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)?

Template: In [Sample], how do experiences of [Phenomenon of Interest], studied using [Design], influence [Evaluation]? (Research type: [qualitative / mixed methods])
PEO (often used for qualitative or exploratory research):
 
  • Population – Who or what is being studied?
  • Exposure – What factor, experience, or situation are they exposed to?
  • Outcome – What is the effect or response?

Template: In [Population], how does [Exposure] influence [Outcome]?
SPICE:
  • Setting – Where is the research taking place?
  • Perspective – Who is the user, patient, or stakeholder?
  • Interest – What is being studied (intervention, exposure, or phenomenon)?
  • Comparison – What alternative is being considered?
  • Evaluation – What is the measure of success or outcome?

Template: In [Setting], for [Perspective], how does [Interest] compared to [Comparison] influence [Evaluation]?
FINER (used to test whether a question is strong and practical):
 
  • Feasible – Can you realistically answer it with available resources?
  • Interesting – Will it engage you and your audience?
  • Novel – Does it add something new to the field?
  • Ethical – Can it be studied responsibly?
  • Relevant – Does it matter to science or society?
 NA

 

Developing a Focused & Challenging Research Question

A strong research question keeps your project manageable and engaging. If your initial idea feels too broad, narrow it by adding details such as population, setting, or variables. Your question should invite analysis and debate, not just a simple yes/no or factual answer.

Too Broad → Narrower

  • What causes depression? → How has the widespread use of antidepressant drugs affected rates of teenage suicide?

  • What are the benefits of stricter auto emissions standards? → How could stricter auto emissions standards create new auto industry jobs and make US carmakers more competitive in the world market?

  • What affects climate change? → How does urban light pollution affect the nocturnal behavior of local moth species?

Too Factual → Challenging

  • Is autism on the rise? → Why is autism so difficult to treat?

  • Where is wind energy being used? → What makes wind farms economically viable?

  • How many bacteria are in one drop of pond water? → What environmental factors most influence the diversity of bacteria in pond ecosystems?

You may need to answer factual questions along the way, but your central research question should go further—pushing you to analyze, explain, and make connections. Avoid questions that are:

  • Too broad (e.g., What affects climate change?)

  • Too narrow (e.g., How many bacteria are in one drop of water?)

  • Not researchable (e.g., Why do people like science?)

  • Opinion-based (e.g., Is biology the most important subject?)