1. Writing Research Questions

2. Lesson objective
Write research topic
Formulate research questions

3. Where are we… Observation/ Background survey Broad area of research
Literature review
Problem definition
Topic
Problem statement
Research questions
Theoretical framework
Variables clearly identified
Hypothesis generation
Research design
Methods
Data collection
Analysis
Interpretation
Deduction
Hypothesis substantiated?
RQ answered?

4. Research Topics -Examples

5. Research questions Guides your purpose
Each research question give clear idea of your research
Quantitative or qualitative?
Experimental? Survey?
Should you interview people, or would the data from a survey answer it?
With RQs, easier to identify the assumptions underlying the question, and the “theories” behind it

6. Writing research questions
Basically
Re-formulate your topic as a research question - one that ends with “…?”
Ask preliminary questions about this title
Ask as many
Generate several questions
Formulate a direct question - be precise

7. How to derive research questions..
Questions you can ask
What are the characteristics of this thing?
What happens?
And in what order do things happen?
When does it happen? To whom?
When does it NOT happen?
For whom is it a problem? Why is it a problem for them?
How can one tell it is a problem?
Keep those you can answer

8. EXAMPLES Topic Preliminary questions
Disruptive behaviour among Pre- TESL Students
What are the “ disruptive behaviours”?
What happens? When does it happen? To whom?
When does it NOT happen?
For whom is it a problem? Why is it a problem for them?
How can one tell it’s a problem?

9. How to derive research questions..
Shortlist the questions
What exactly IS the research problem here?
Why is it important?
Why does it need to be solved?
How could I go about solving it?
What exactly would I have to do, to solve it?
If I did that, what would my data look like?
What would my findings look like?
Answer the last three as precise as you can

10. Ask what you would have to do to solve the research problem
What or who will form my sample?
Why those/that, rather than others?
How will I select them?
How will I gain access to them?
What exactly will I use?
Why that/those, rather than other equipment/instruments/analytical methods?

11. EXAMPLE -Research Questions
What are the factors that contribute towards the disruptive behaviours of Pre-TESL students?
What are the Pre-TESL students’ (with disruptive behaviours) attitudes towards authority?
Is there a relationship between disruptive behaviour and previous schooling of Pre-TESL students ?

12. Differences Among Area, Problem, Purpose and Questions
General
Specific
Topic/ Area
Research
Problem
Purpose
Statement
Question
Pre TESL Students
with disruptive behaviour
Pre TESL students display disruptive behaviour
To study why Pre TESL students display disruptive behaviour
What are the factors that contribute towards the disruptive behaviours of Pre TESL students?

13. Differences Among Area, Problem, Purpose and Questions
General
Topic Area
Science Education
Research
Problem
Anxiety in science classes
To study the anxiety among students who attend Physics classes?
Purpose
Statement
What is the anxiety level of students who attend Physics classes at the UiTM Faculty of Education,?
Is there a difference between the anxiety level of male and female students attending Physics classes at the UiTM Faculty of Education,?
Research
Question
Specific

14. Differences Among Area, Problem, Purpose and Questions
General
Topic Area
Online Learning
Research
Problem
Isolation in the online learning environment
To study how students perceive social presence in the online learning environment
Purpose
Statement
What is the online learners’ perception of social presence in an online learning community?
Research
Question
Specific

15. Questions into hypothesis
Strategy to unpack the question
highlight some of its different aspects
make it easier to identify an angle from which the research question can be answered
Deriving a statement that can be true or false

16. EXAMPLES Topic Questions Hypotheses
Disruptive behaviour in religious high schools
Is there a relationship between parents’ educational level and disruptive behaviours of religious high school students?
There is a relationship between parents’ educational level and the religious high school student’s display of disruptive behaviour

17. More Examples : RQs
How does group discussion facilitate concept formation?
Do individual motivational characteristics affect cognitive learning outcomes?
What can international students tell about the impact of culture on their experiences in education courses designed and delivered by a Malaysian university?

18. Examples of hypotheses
There is a relationship between individual motivational characteristics and cognitive learning outcomes

19. Fitting things together
Problems
RESEARCH INTEREST/AREA
Issues
Concerns
Research problem
Research questions
Background survey
Theoretical framework

20. Next- Literature review
Observation/ Background survey
Broad area of research
Literature review
Problem definition
Problem statement
Research topic
Research questions
Theoretical framework
Variables clearly identified
Hypothesis generation
Research design
Methods
Data collection
Analysis
Interpretation
Deduction
Hypothesis substantiated?
RQ answered?

21. Tasks Task 1 Task 2 Write your problem statement
Write your research questions
Write hypothesis if you are studying relationship/differences
Task 2
Read the reflection
Identify one researchable problem
Write two(2) research questions