This document provides guidance on developing well-focused research questions in 6 steps: 1. Choose a topic of interest from a newspaper or subject area 2. Describe the topic in one sentence 3. Develop a sentence that specifies something you want to find out about the topic using who, what, when, where, whether, why, or how 4. Convert statements into questions using starters like "To what extent" or "How" 5. Evaluate if the question allows for different perspectives and a reasoned argument 6. Restate the question using a different command term to view the topic differently

1. Constructing
Good Research
Questions?
Your guide to improving
enquiry skills in all
learners

2. Formulating well-focused research questions (RQ)
A research question will provide a path to guide you through your research
Step 1 - Choose your subject area: interest, curiosity?
Step 2 - Choose a topic that interests you
For this visit a famous newspaper website or use a copy of a newspaper and highlight all the topics
that interest you and starting thinking why that is (rationale)
Select three or four topics that are special to you
Then describe your topic of interest in one sentence:
I want to learn about _____________.
Eg. I want to learn about public funding for the arts.

3. Formulating well-focused research questions (RQ)
A research question will provide a path to guide you through your research
Step 3 - Try to describe your research by developing a sentence that specifies something about your topic.
I am studying _____because I want to find out (who, what, when, where, whether, why or how) ______.
Examples:
I am studying public funding for the Arts because I want to find out how accessible the arts are to
people on low income.
I want to learn about David Beckham’s football style because I want to find out whether he was
as good a midfielder as he was regarded.
I am studying architecture in Hong Kong because I want to find out how we can solve the
current housing shortage in this city.
I want to learn about the value of honesty and justice in American Society because I want to
find out why they chose Donald Trump as president.

4. Formulating well-focused research questions (RQ)
A research question will provide a path to guide you through your research
Step 4 - Convert your direct statements into direct questions:
For this let us use three question starters
To what extent…(the most popular across beginner researchers)
How (successful/crucial/reliable/significant/far)...
Why...
I am studying public funding for the arts because I want to find out how accessible the arts are to those
people who are on low income.
To what extent are the Arts funded in order to allow access to people who are on low income?
The biggest challenge is refinement and patience, a supervisor/teacher will be able to support
you if you are stuck , but “practice makes perfect”, so have a go at the below:
I want to learn about David Beckham’s football style because I want to find out whether he w as as good a
midfielder as he was regarded.
I am studying architecture in Hong Kong because I want to find out how we can solve the current housing
shortage in this city.
I want to learn about the value of honesty and justice in American Society because I want to find out why
they chose Donald Trump as their president.

5. Formulating well-focused research questions
A research question will provide a path to guide you through your research
Step 5 - Evaluate your question.
Now, ask yourself:
“Can I argue a position here?”, “Are there enough issues to explore?” This is called self-assessment and
reflection.
“Is there a range of perspectives on this topic?”
“Does the RQ allow for analysis, evaluation and the development of a reasoned argument?”

6. Formulating well-focused research questions
A research question will provide a path to guide you through your research
Step 6 - Restate your question using a different command term.
Asking the research question in a different way might help you view your topic in a different
way.
How does analysing…
To what extent…
Why …

7. Formulating well-focused research questions
A research question will provide a path to guide you through your research and writing
Step 7 - Review with your teachers..
Is your teacher able to understand the nature
of your research question and research?
Is it clear to your teacher how and why your
topic is relevant to you?
Reflection.
How do you feel about research questions?
What are the challenges of constructing
them?
What are the positives of this new skill?

8. Research question
components
To what extent are the Arts funded in Hong Kong to allow access to people who are on low income?
Question starter. In
this case it seeks to
find out a degree of
measurement and it
will need to be
discussed in your
paragraphs
First big topic. You
need to read and
find out about it and
provide paragraphs
within the formats
discussed
Second big topic.
You need to read
and find out about it
and provide
paragraphs within
the formats
discussed
Linking verb that connects
big ideas or topics. This is
key as you will need to
discuss it within
paragraphs to provide a
response
You add to the Research Question components using ‘wh’-questions. See
speech bubbles. Can you add more questions to the empty ones?
Is this enough
funding?
Who is regarded
as in the low
income bracket?
What is the
current funding
for the arts?

9. Formulating well-focused research questions (RQ)
A research question will provide a path to guide you through your research
Have a go! Try to do the same process with the research question below or use one of your own research
questions:
To what extent does current architectural design in Hong Kong contribute to the housing shortage?
The above work is the first step to creating a body of exploratory ideas that will contribute to the development of
paragraphs. Within an essay or a research paper they go within the literary review section. These ideas are called
secondary sources, i.e., ideas from other researchers/writer/authors that enhance your own understanding, depth
of enquiry and learning.