Explore Research Questions and Sub-Questions
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What you will learn
- 1Distinguish between a broad topic and a focused, researchable research question
- 2Identify a focused research question that is specific and answerable through research
- 3Explain how three to five sub-questions guide the research process
- 4Evaluate whether a research question is too broad, too narrow, or appropriately focused
Mini Lesson
Great research begins with a great question. A broad topic like "climate change" is not a research question — it is just a subject area. A research question is specific, focused, and answerable through reading, observing, or interviewing. It gives your research a clear direction and tells you exactly what you are trying to find out.
What Makes a Good Research Question?
- Focused — it narrows the broad topic to one specific angle or issue.
- Researchable — it can be answered with evidence from sources, not just personal opinion.
- Open-ended — it requires more than a "yes" or "no" answer; it invites explanation.
- Appropriate scope — not so narrow that one sentence answers it, not so wide that a library cannot cover it.
From Broad Topic to Focused Question
Broad topic: Social Media
Why Sub-Questions Matter
Sub-questions break your main research question into smaller, manageable parts. Each sub-question focuses on one piece of the puzzle. When you have answered all your sub-questions, you have gathered enough information to answer your main question. Aim for three to five sub-questions — enough to cover the topic without becoming overwhelming.
Words to know
research question
A focused, open-ended question that guides an entire research project.
sub-question
A smaller question that explores one specific aspect of the main research question.
broad topic
A wide subject area that needs to be narrowed into a specific question before researching.
focused
Limited to one specific angle or issue rather than covering an entire subject area.
researchable
Capable of being answered through evidence gathered from reliable sources.
open-ended
Requiring a detailed, explanatory answer rather than a simple yes or no.
Tip: start your research question with words like "How", "Why", "What", "To what extent", or "In what ways". These starter words push you toward an open-ended, explanatory answer rather than a simple yes or no.
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