Lukasz Derdowski I have included a figure in a paper of mine (Figure 1, p. 11) in which I illustrate how case studies, theory and design science are connected. I hope this is useful for you:

Article Toward More Rigorous Blockchain Research: Recommendations fo...

In a nutshell, I believe that qualitative research (e.g., grounded theory) and case studies are great for "systematically" developing research questions. Simply talking to practitioners or other academics would be a non-systematic but equally valid way.

Lukasz Derdowski I have included a figure in a paper of mine (Figure 1, p. 11) in which I illustrate how case studies, theory and design science are connected. I hope this is useful for you:

Article Toward More Rigorous Blockchain Research: Recommendations fo...

In a nutshell, I believe that qualitative research (e.g., grounded theory) and case studies are great for "systematically" developing research questions. Simply talking to practitioners or other academics would be a non-systematic but equally valid way.

My advice to a student who would ask such a question is:

1. Find a question for which you really want to know the answer but you can't find an answer in the current literature.

2. Discuss with your advisor and similar individuals how doable they think finding this answer is. Go from there.

Best wishes, D. Booth

I am not sure what "method-based" in reference to RQ generation and quality means. If you seek a totally objective, or automated process for generation of good research questions, I know of no such process, and doubt that it could exist. I believe that I may have seen some sort of checklists for good research questions, but I can't produce that at this point, and I am not sure that is your intent. Good research questions generally spring from intimate familiarity with relevant research literature, leading to a "what is missing" moment.

David Eugene Booth's advice is absolutely appropriate. The "method" part for me is to figure out whether, and if the whether is "yes," how, one might use or create methods to attack the question. I suggest that before that meeting with your adviser, you try to work out as much of that as is possible to present.

In regard to RQ change, yes, RQs often change dependent on results from data as well as new literature.

My best on your research,

John

Thank you all for your thoughtful reflections. To continue this small discussion, I would like to respectfully mark that whereas there are several methodological topics sufficiently covered in the literature (e.g., Cambell and Fiske (1959) showed us how to obtain valid evidence; Churchill (1979) designed steps for better measurement development; Davis (1971) discussed unique features of an ‘interesting’ theory), our current approach to research question creation seems to be less systematic. Yes, we should check the available literature on the topic of interest; and Yes, we should rely on our supervisors, but what if we consider the possibility that:

a. Due to growing number of publications each year, no one has the capacity to be fully up-to-date with selected problems (according to STM Report (2018): “ There were about 33,100 active scholarly peer-reviewed English-language journals in 2018, collectively publishing some 3 million articles a year”, p.25).

b. And sadly, not every supervisor is either willing or has the time to aid students with the research question development.

For all those reasons, I was wondering about the existing (systematic) strategies for the creation of research questions that are not only doable, but also fruitful.

Kind regards,

Lukasz

Lukasz Derdowski A lot depends on the research you are doing or wanting to do. For me the people involved in the research, the participants, are my main focus. It is important that the questions I make are relevant for the situation they are in. I like the perpective of Kurt Lewin that the value of knowledge creation can be thought as what can contribute to making the situation and the relations of those involved a little better. I also try to construct my questions in a way that generates recognition (Axel Honneth), takes the factor of motivations seriously (what are the participants needs, interests, passions, wishes, dreams?), and potential action. sometimes the participants can even find some of the questions for you - What do you need to be asked now. A lot depends on what you want to explore and how you want to do it. Can you elaborate?

Dear Dr. Derdowski! I am a researcher of supply chain mgt - social sciences are part of the theme I focus on. I was also bit confused for long, so I looked up for resources: There are general guidelines for the process of developing research questions, but each question is case dependent; the context within which it evloves from and the problem it aims to address within a project:

1) Texas State University Library (2019)." Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: The Research Problem/Question"Avauilable at: https://guides.library.txstate.edu/c.php?g=959645&p=6928651

2) Spalding University Library (2019)."The Research Problem/Question" Available at: https://library.spalding.edu/c.php?g=459402&p=3141076

I also found a specific article related to your question: Alan, Bryman (2007).

"The Research Question in Social Research: What is its Role?"

International Journal of Social Research Methodology, Volume 10, 2007 - Issue 1, pages: 5-20, Available at: Article The Research Question in Social Research: What is its Role?

Hope YOU find my contribution valuable: Have a Nice Day! Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely