100+ Research Question Examples for Students

What Makes a Good Research Question?

A strong research question is clear, specific, and researchable. It acts as the foundation of your study, helping you stay focused and ensuring your research has a clear purpose.

But what exactly makes a research question effective? Let’s break it down:

Clarity: The research question should be easy to understand, avoiding vague or confusing terms.
Focus: It must be specific and narrow, ensuring an in-depth exploration of research topics.
Researchability: The question should be answerable through data collection, analysis, or investigation, aligning with a solid research design.
Relevance: A well-developed question aims to fill a gap in the field and supports your research aims.
Feasibility: The question should be realistic, allowing you to develop your research within available time and resources.

Now that we know what makes a focused research question strong, let's look at some examples from different fields to help you craft your own.

Research Question Examples Across Different Fields

Here are some research question examples in research papers from different fields to help you get a better idea of how to create your own.

Research Question Examples in Psychology

How does Instagram use impact self-esteem levels in teenagers aged 13-18?
What is the relationship between getting fewer than six hours of sleep and working memory performance in adults aged 25-40?
How do experiences of physical abuse in childhood influence adult attachment styles in romantic relationships?
Does practicing mindfulness meditation for eight weeks reduce symptoms of anxiety in patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder?
How does social media affect body image perceptions among adolescents?
What impact does parental involvement have on the academic performance of children with ADHD?
How do video game playing habits influence aggression levels in children aged 6-12?
How does self-compassion influence emotional well-being in university students?
What is the effect of nature-based therapy on reducing symptoms of depression in elderly individuals?
How do peer group dynamics impact the mental health of teenagers in high school?

Research Question Examples in Sociology

How does a 10% increase in income inequality affect upward social mobility among middle-class families in the U.S.?
What role does TikTok’s political content play in shaping the voting preferences of first-time voters (ages 18-24) in U.S. presidential elections?
How do disparities in public school funding contribute to social stratification in urban neighborhoods with a median household income below $50,000?
How do social networks influence career opportunities among young professionals in major metropolitan areas?
How does gender inequality in the workplace affect employee satisfaction in corporate settings?
What impact does gentrification have on low-income communities in urban areas?
How do political ideologies affect the social integration of immigrants in Western Europe?
How does the portrayal of race in the media influence public opinion about racial discrimination in society?
What role do family dynamics play in the development of social behaviors in children from disadvantaged backgrounds?
How does the digital divide affect educational outcomes for students in rural areas compared to urban areas?

Research Question Examples in History

How did wage policies and urbanization shape the social and economic impacts of the Industrial Revolution in Britain between 1760 and 1840?
In what ways did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 influence federal education policy and desegregation efforts in public schools?
What were the key political motivations behind the U.S. government’s containment strategy during the Cold War (1947-1991)?
How did the rise of fascism in Europe during the 1930s impact international relations and the lead-up to World War II?
What was the role of women in the suffrage movement in the United States during the early 20th century?
How did the global economic depression of the 1930s influence the rise of authoritarian governments in Europe?
How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the economic instability and political unrest in Germany after World War I?
What were the political and social consequences of the French Revolution on European monarchies in the 19th century?
How did the Black Plague in the 14th century shape medieval European society and culture?
What role did technology play in the outcomes of the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II?

H3 Research Question Examples in Political Science

How did party affiliation influence voting patterns in the 2020 U.S. presidential election among Hispanic voters in Florida?
What impact does primetime television news coverage have on public opinion about immigration policy in the U.K.?
How do conservative and progressive ideologies influence voting behavior on healthcare legislation in the U.S. Senate from 2000 to 2022?
How does the media’s portrayal of political candidates affect voter turnout in presidential elections?
What role do political action committees (PACs) play in shaping election outcomes in the U.S.?
How does the political polarization of U.S. citizens affect legislative productivity in Congress?
What is the relationship between political corruption and economic inequality in developing countries?
How do changes in government spending on education affect public approval of political leaders?
What are the effects of electoral reforms on the political participation of minority groups in Canada?
How does the political climate in the Middle East influence global oil prices and international relations?

Research Question Examples in Education

How does the use of digital learning tools affect the engagement levels of high school students in mathematics?
What is the impact of teacher-student relationships on academic performance in elementary schools?
Why do first-generation college students experience higher levels of academic stress compared to their peers?
Does implementing project-based learning improve critical thinking skills among middle school students?
Has the shift to online education impacted the quality of learning in undergraduate courses in the arts?
Where do students with special needs typically face the most challenges in mainstream classrooms?
What is the effect of bilingual education programs on the language acquisition of non-native English speakers?
How do standardized testing practices affect the overall academic development of high school students?
Is there a relationship between parental involvement and the academic success of elementary school children?
Why does school funding inequality continue to affect educational opportunities for students in low-income areas?

Research Question Examples in Business and Marketing

What impact does brand loyalty have on customer retention in the retail industry?
How do social media marketing strategies influence consumer buying behavior in the fashion industry?
Does offering personalized promotions increase sales in online stores?
What are the effects of workplace diversity on team productivity in multinational companies?
Why do small businesses struggle to compete with larger corporations in terms of customer acquisition?
Where do companies with a strong corporate social responsibility presence outperform competitors in market share?
Is the rise of e-commerce changing consumer preferences for traditional brick-and-mortar stores?
Has the implementation of green marketing strategies improved the brand image of eco-friendly companies?
What is the relationship between consumer trust in online reviews and purchasing decisions in the tech industry?
How does the globalization of business affect local economies in developing countries?

Research Question Examples in Environmental Studies

What is the role of renewable energy in reducing carbon emissions in industrialized countries?
How does deforestation in the Amazon affect biodiversity in tropical ecosystems?
Is there a direct link between urban sprawl and air quality in metropolitan cities?
Why do some countries adopt stricter environmental regulations than others despite global environmental agreements?
What are the economic consequences of implementing a carbon tax on fossil fuel industries?
Does ocean acidification have a long-term impact on marine biodiversity and fisheries?
How do government policies on climate change influence the behavior of large corporations?
What is the effectiveness of wildlife conservation programs in preserving endangered species in Africa?
Where are urban areas most at risk of water shortages due to climate change?
Has the introduction of green infrastructure reduced flooding in cities prone to heavy rainfall?

Research Question Examples in Anthropology

How does globalization impact traditional cultures in rural communities?
What is the relationship between language preservation and cultural identity in indigenous tribes?
Why do social rituals play a vital role in maintaining group cohesion in small communities?
Where have anthropologists observed the strongest evidence of matrilineal societies in the modern world?
Does migration influence the development of hybrid cultures in urban centers?
What role do gender roles play in shaping power dynamics within traditional societies?
Has urbanization altered family structures in developing countries?
How do anthropologists view the evolution of human diet in response to agricultural advancements?
Is there a correlation between economic hardship and increased cultural conflict in post-colonial societies?
Why do rituals surrounding death differ so significantly across cultures?

Research Question Examples in Health Sciences

How does regular physical exercise impact mental health outcomes in elderly populations?
What are the long-term effects of childhood obesity on adult cardiovascular health?
Does early intervention in mental health reduce the prevalence of depression in adolescents?
Why are certain communities more susceptible to chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension?
What is the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive performance in working adults?
Has the introduction of public health campaigns on smoking reduction led to a decrease in tobacco-related deaths?
Is there an association between air pollution and respiratory diseases in urban environments?
Where are the highest rates of drug-resistant infections occurring, and what measures can reduce their spread?
Does access to healthcare correlate with improved maternal health outcomes in developing countries?
Why do mental health care disparities exist in rural vs. urban settings?

Research Question Examples in Literature

How do themes of isolation and identity appear in modern dystopian novels?
What is the significance of unreliable narrators in 20th-century fiction?
Why do female protagonists in Victorian literature often face societal constraints?
Does Shakespeare's portrayal of power influence contemporary political thought?
What role does magic play in shaping moral lessons in fantasy literature?
How does the use of symbolism in "The Great Gatsby" reflect the American Dream?
Where does the theme of existentialism manifest in works by Franz Kafka?
Is there a connection between post-colonial literature and the theme of cultural assimilation?
What makes the works of Virginia Woolf significant in the study of feminist literary theory?
Has the portrayal of war in literature changed over the course of the 20th century?

Examples of Comparative Research Questions:

How do online and traditional classroom learning environments impact student performance?
What are the differences in stress levels between remote workers and office employees?
How does caffeine consumption affect sleep quality in teenagers compared to adults?
Do public and private hospitals provide the same level of patient care?
How does social media usage differ between Gen Z and Millennials?
What are the economic impacts of renewable energy adoption in developed vs. developing countries?
How do leadership styles in tech companies compare to those in healthcare organizations?
What are the differences in political engagement between urban and rural populations?
How does the effectiveness of high-protein diets compare to low-carb diets for weight loss?
How do customer satisfaction levels vary between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores?

Need more examples? Check out the PDF below for a comprehensive collection of research question samples to guide your study.

Research Question Examples PDF

Types of Research Questions with Examples

Research questions can be categorized based on the approach or methodology used to answer them. Understanding the different types can help you choose the best format for your research.

Below are examples of different types of research questions, each tailored to different research methods:

Type of Research Question	Example Questions
Qualitative Research Question	- What are the experiences of parents whose children with autism spectrum disorder attend mainstream schools? - How do high school students perceive the role of technology in their education? - What are the views of teachers on the effectiveness of hybrid learning models during the pandemic?
Quantitative Research Question	- How does the number of study hours correlate with the GPA of university students? - What is the average income of households in urban areas compared to rural regions? - Does the frequency of physical exercise affect the body mass index (BMI) of adults?
Statistical Research Question	- Is there a significant relationship between smartphone use and sleep patterns among teenagers? - How does the amount of time spent on social media impact levels of anxiety among young adults? - Is there a link between employee job satisfaction and their performance ratings in the workplace?
Exploratory Research Question	- What challenges do new immigrants face when adapting to the workforce in the U.S.? - How do remote workers balance professional and personal life during the pandemic? - What factors influence the decision-making process of first-time homebuyers?
Descriptive Research Question	- What are the demographic characteristics of online shoppers in North America? - What are the common themes in children’s books published in the past decade? - How do small businesses in the UK utilize digital marketing strategies?

Examples of Good and Bad Research Questions

Understanding the difference between good and bad research questions can help you improve your own questions. Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:

Bad Research Question	Good Research Question	Explanation
What are the effects of parental involvement on children?	How does parental involvement influence the academic achievement of elementary school students?	The bad question is too broad and doesn’t specify what "effects" are being measured. The good question is focused, clear, and researchable, specifically targeting the relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement.
Why do urban teenagers behave differently than rural teenagers?	What impact does urbanization have on the social behaviors of adolescents in metropolitan cities?	The bad question is vague and difficult to research, lacking a clear direction. The good question is specific, researchable, and defines what "urbanization" and "social behaviors" mean in the context of adolescents.
What causes anxiety in people?	How does regular exercise reduce symptoms of anxiety in college students?	The bad question is too general and broad, making it nearly impossible to answer within a research framework. The good one is a specific research question; focused, and testable aiming to explore the impact of exercise on anxiety symptoms in a particular group (college students).

To sum it up, writing a research question is key to a successful research paper. Whether you're doing a qualitative or quantitative study or exploring fields like psychology, sociology, political science, or history, your research question is the foundation of your study.

A well-crafted question keeps your work organized, focused, and impactful. Use the examples and tips in this guide to shape your questions and refine them as your research progresses. If you're feeling uncertain about your research paper or need extra support, don't hesitate to reach out.

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