A research question is the fundamental core of a research project, study, or review of literature. It focuses the study, determines the methodology, and guides all stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting.
A research question can serve the following purposes in a research:
Guide the researcher focusing on the research problem, research objective, research approach & research delivery - at the end of the research, the researcher needs to answer the research question asked initially.
A research question can provide guidance how to develop a conceptual framework / research model.
A research question can provide guidance how to form a hypothesis or hypotheses.
A research question can provide cue how to operationalize the research e.g. forming the constructs / variables operational definition, getting the right instrument / survey questionnaire etc. to collect data.
A research question can provide idea on what data analysis to be conducted e.g. multiple regression, moderation, mediation, analysis of variance etc.
A research question is an inquisitive statement posted by a researcher to serve as guide to what the purpose and objectives of a research study are when slithering through a research work. It is the fulcrum in a research study upon which the a study is touchstoned.
Researchers should begin by identifying a broader subject of interest that lends itself to investigation. For example, a researcher may be interested in childhood obesity.
The next step is to do preliminary research on the general topic to find out what research has already been done and what literature already exists. How much research has been done on childhood obesity? What types of studies? Is there a unique area that yet to be investigated or is there a particular question that may be worth replicating?
Then begin to narrow the topic by asking open-ended "how" and "why" questions. For example, a researcher may want to consider the factors that are contributing to childhood obesity or the success rate of intervention programs. Create a list of potential questions for consideration and choose one that interests you and provides an opportunity for exploration.
Finally, evaluate the question by using the following list of guidelines:
Is the research question one that is of interest to the researcher and potentially to others? Is it a new issue or problem that needs to be solved or is it attempting to shed light on previously researched topic.
Is the research question researchable? Consider the available time frame and the required resources. Is the methodology to conduct the research feasible?
Is the research question measureable and will the process produce data that can be supported or contradicted?