Ses Research skills
for Psychologists
SKIM109:
Research
questions
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of the class, you will be able to...
understand the quality characteristics of a good research
question.
understand the differences between qualitative and
quantitative research questions.
come up with a researchable question for your own
project.
Research questions I.
“A research question is a clear, focused, concise, complex and
arguable question around which you center your research. You
should ask a question about an issue that you are genuinely
curious about.” (George Mason University, 2009)
“Research questions help writers focus their research by
providing a path through the research and writing process. The
specificity of a well-developed research question helps writers
avoid the ‘all-about’ paper and work toward supporting a
specific, arguable thesis.” (George Mason University, 2009)
Quantitative/Qualitative Distinction
From: O’Leary, Z. (2004). The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London:
Sage.
Spot the difference!
How does the level of social media usage
impact self-esteem and mental well-being
among adolescents aged 14-18?
What are the lived experiences of adolescents
regarding the influence of social media on
their self-esteem and mental well-being?
Quality criteria for research questions
stand alone: no
narrow/not too argumentative/not too
abbrevations, no brackets,
broad/specific enough descriptive
no explanations
clarity: all technical terms differences between
grounded in data/not too
explained in the literature qualitative and quantitative
speculative
review questions
relevance: what
participants think vs. what
measurable concepts in the grammatically correct, no
participants think someone
question typos
else thinks; behavior vs.
intended behavior
Forms
What To what extent … Y
Why-questions
characterizes…? affects Z?
What views are
What is the
What are factors expresses by … in
significance of Y in
contributing to…? connection with
shaping Z?
…?
In what ways X
contributes to Y?
Research questions II.
• What is the effect of mindfulness
meditation on reducing anxiety levels
in college students?
• Why do people feel sad?
• Does stress affect the brain?
• What coping strategies do individuals
diagnosed with depression report as
most effective in managing daily stress?
• Is testing moral?
• What will classroom language teaching
be like in 2030?
• Do dreams affect reality?
Homework
• Come up with a
researchable
question and bring
it to class.