Research questions can address many issues, including
- Intervention: What is the impact of x on y for ?
- Relationships: What is the relationship between x and y for ?
- Tool development: How can we measure the relationship between x and y for ?
A strong research question is fundamental to a strong grant proposal. All strong research questions make strong arguments in three areas:
- Purpose
- Solves a real world problem
- Advances theoretical understanding
- Will help solve more problems in future
- Passion
- People care about the problem
- Strong science
- Strong science
- New approach that builds on what is known
- theoretical rationale