Feasible in FINER focuses on time, scope, resources, expertise, and fundingWhen using the FINER framework, writing feasible research questions ensures that researchers are taking on a research project that can actually be completed. Feasible research questions can be answered. The feasibility of research questions focuses on objective aspects of the immediate empirical or clinical environment (time, scope,
resources, expertise, funding, etc.). Statistical power is also a central focus of feasibility. Researchers need to have access to a large enough pool of participants to sample from to conduct meaningful research. Without a large enough sample size, statistical power will decrease, meaning that researchers will be less likely to detect significant treatment effects. Collaboration with other researchers is highly suggested to share the work load and integrate multiple viewpoints into
the research question. In terms of scope, researchers should seek to be more deductive rather than inductive in order to write feasible research questions. Talking with a statistical consultant or experienced researcher is wise when determining the feasibility of a research question. Feasible research questions and FINERHere are some
questions to answer when writing feasible research questions with FINER. - Can the research question be answered in the current and future clinical or empirical environment?
- Do researchers have access to an adequate pool of potential participants from the population of interest?
- Is there enough time to conduct the study?
- Does the scope of the study lead to attainable objectives?
- Is the effect size large enough to be detected and still hold clinical
relevance?
- Do the researchers possess the necessary resources and expertise to conduct the study?
- Have the researchers consulted a statistician or methodologist regarding the feasibility of the study?
- Have researchers conducted a pilot study to establish a preliminary measure of effect size for an a priori power analysis?
Click on the Interesting Research Questions button to continue working through the FINER framework.
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Published on October 26, 2022 by Shona McCombes. A research question pinpoints exactly what you want to find out in your work. A good research question is essential to guide your
research paper, dissertation, or thesis. All research questions should be: - Focused on a single problem or issue
- Researchable using
primary and/or secondary sources
- Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
- Specific enough to answer thoroughly
- Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
- Relevant to your field of study and/or society more
broadly
You will usually write a single research question to guide your progress in a research paper or academic essay. Your answer then forms your thesis statement—the central assertion or position that your paper will argue for. A bigger research project, such as a
thesis or dissertation, may necessitate multiple research questions. However, they should all be clearly connected and focused around a central research problem. How to write a research questionYou can follow these
steps to develop a strong research question: - Choose your topic
- Do some preliminary reading about the current state of the field
- Narrow your focus to a
specific niche
- Identify the research problem that you will address
The way you frame your question depends on what your research aims to achieve. The table below shows some examples of how you might formulate questions for
different purposes.
| Research objectives | Research question formulations |
|---|
| Describing and exploring
| - What are the characteristics of X?
- How has X changed over time?
- What are the causes of X?
- How has X dealt with Y?
| | Explaining and testing
| - What is the relationship between X and Y?
- What is the role of X in Y?
- What is the impact of X on Y?
- How does X influence Y?
| | Evaluating and acting
| - What are the advantages and disadvantages of X?
- How effective is X?
- How can X be improved?
|
Using your research problem to develop your research question
| Example research problem | Example research question(s) |
|---|
| Teachers at the school do not have the skills to recognize or properly guide gifted children in the classroom.
| What practical techniques can teachers use to better identify and guide gifted children?
| | Young people increasingly engage in the “gig economy,” rather than traditional full-time employment. However, it is unclear why they choose to do so.
| What are the main factors influencing young people’s decisions to engage in the gig economy?
|
Note that while most research questions can be answered with various types of research, the way you frame your question should help determine your choices. What makes a strong research question?Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them. The
criteria below can help you evaluate the strength of your research question. Focused and researchable
| Criteria | Explanation |
|---|
| Focused on a single topic | Your central research question should work together with your research problem to keep your work focused. If you have multiple questions, they should all clearly tie back to your central aim.
|
|---|
| Answerable using credible sources | Your question must be answerable using quantitative and/or qualitative data, or by reading
scholarly sources on the topic to develop your argument. If such data is impossible to access, you likely need to rethink your question.
|
|---|
| Not based on value judgements | Avoid subjective words like good, bad, better and worse. These do not give clear criteria for answering the question. - Is X or Y a better policy?
- How effective are X and Y policies at reducing rates of Z?
|
|---|
Feasible and specific
| Criteria | Explanation |
|---|
| Answerable within practical constraints | Make sure you have enough time and resources to do all research required to answer your question. If it seems you will not be able to gain access to the data you need, consider narrowing down your question to be more specific.
|
|---|
| Uses specific, well-defined concepts | All the terms you use in the research question should have clear meanings. Avoid vague language, jargon, and too-broad ideas. - What effect does social media have on people’s minds?
- What effect does daily use of Twitter have on the attention span of 16-year-olds at your local high school?
|
|---|
| Does not demand a conclusive solution, policy, or course of action | Research is about informing, not instructing. Even if your project is focused on a practical problem, it should aim to improve understanding rather than demand a ready-made solution. - What should the government do about low voter turnout?
- What are the most effective communication strategies for increasing voter turnout among those aged 18-30?
|
|---|
Complex and arguable
| Criteria | Explanation |
|---|
| Cannot be answered with yes or no | Closed-ended, yes/no questions are too simple to work as good research questions—they don’t provide enough scope for robust investigation and discussion. - Has there been an increase in those experiencing homelessness in the US in the past ten years?
- How have economic and political factors affected patterns of experiencing
homelessness in the US over the past ten years?
|
|---|
| Cannot be answered with easily-found facts | If you can answer the question through a single Google search, book, or article, it is probably not complex enough. A good research question requires original data, synthesis of multiple sources, and original interpretation and argumentation prior to providing an answer.
|
|---|
Relevant and original
| Criteria | Explanation |
|---|
| Addresses a relevant problem | Your research question should be developed based on initial reading around your topic. It should focus on addressing a problem or gap in the existing knowledge in your field or discipline.
|
|---|
| Contributes to a timely social or academic debate | The question should aim to contribute to an existing and current debate in your field or in society at large. It should produce knowledge that future researchers or practitioners can later build on.
|
|---|
| Has not already been answered | You don’t have to ask something that nobody has ever thought of before, but your question should have some aspect of originality. For example, you can focus on a specific location, or explore a new angle.
|
|---|
Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on: - Academic style
- Vague sentences
- Grammar
- Style consistency
See an example Research questions quizFrequently asked questions about research questionsCite this Scribbr articleIf you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator. McCombes, S. (2022, October 26). Writing Strong Research Questions |
Criteria & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved November 7, 2022, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-questions/
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What are some of the factors that might impact the feasibility of a research question quizlet?
The feasibility of a research problem and purpose is determined by examining the researcher's expertise; money commitment; availability of subjects, facilities, and equipment; and the study's ethical considerations.
What does a good research question help guide in the research process?
A well-defined and specific research question is more likely to help guide us in making decisions about study design and population and subsequently what data will be collected and analyzed.
When you are designing a research question what is the term for the availability of time money equipment and research Participants select one?
They are easily digestible reviews of a study's major findings. When you are designing a research question, what is the term for the availability of time, money, equipment, and research participants? Feasibility.
How are research questions most often?
A research question is a specific inquiry which the research seeks to provide a response to. It resides at the core of systematic investigation and it helps you to clearly define a path for the research process. A research question is usually the first step in any research project.
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