How Many Research Questions Should A PhD Thesis Have?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Generally speaking, the total number of research questions and/or hypotheses should

not exceed about four or five

; if there are more, sufficient analysis may not be done on each within the space constraints of a PhD thesis.

How many research questions should a thesis have?

A typical study may be expected to have

between 1 and 6 research questions

. Once the writer has determined the type of study to be used and the specific objectives the paper will address, the writer must also consider whether the research question passes the “so what” test.

Can a thesis have multiple research questions?

The answer that you develop is your thesis statement — the central assertion or position that your paper will argue for. In a bigger research project, such as a thesis or dissertation, you might

have multiple research questions

, but they should all be clearly connected and focused around a central research problem.

How do you write a research question for a PhD thesis?

  1. Choose an interesting general topic. Most professional researchers focus on topics they are genuinely interested in studying. …
  2. Do some preliminary research on your general topic. …
  3. Consider your audience. …
  4. Start asking questions. …
  5. Evaluate your question. …
  6. Begin your research.

How many research questions should you have in qualitative research?


Start with 2 or 3 questions

. If too many questions are posed, a study may be simply too large to manage. That is why I generally suggest starting with 2-3 research questions; although some studies may have more.

What is a good research question examples?

The research question states the specific issue or problem that your assignment will focus on. … In general, however, a good research question should be:

Clear and focused

. In other words, the question should clearly state what the writer needs to do.

What are the 3 types of research questions?

  • Descriptive. When a study is designed primarily to describe what is going on or what exists. …
  • Relational. When a study is designed to look at the relationships between two or more variables. …
  • Causal.

How do you turn a research question into a thesis?

  1. State your topic. Your topic is the essential idea of your paper. …
  2. State your main idea about this topic. …
  3. Give a reason that supports your main idea. …
  4. Give another reason that supports your main idea. …
  5. Give one more reason that supports your main idea. …
  6. Include an opposing viewpoint to your main idea, if applicable.

What are the five components of a research question?

A research question should require analysis to provide an answer and should be

feasible, specific, focused, measurable, and clear

. Literature reviews show how the study contributes to, challenges, and/or extends the current knowledge base, practice, or methodology in the field.

What kind of question should qualitative research start with?

Qualitative Research Questions: Usually start with

‘what’ or ‘how’

(avoid beginning qualitative questions with ‘why’ as this implies cause and effect). Identify the central phenomenon you plan to explore (tell in your question what you are going to describe, explore, generate, discover, understand).

How do you find a good research question?

  • Clear and focused. In other words, the question should clearly state what the writer needs to do.
  • Not too broad and not too narrow. …
  • Not too easy to answer. …
  • Not too difficult to answer. …
  • Researchable. …
  • Analytical rather than descriptive.

What is an example of a qualitative?

The

hair colors of players on a football team

, the color of cars in a parking lot, the letter grades of students in a classroom, the types of coins in a jar, and the shape of candies in a variety pack are all examples of qualitative data so long as a particular number is not assigned to any of these descriptions.

What questions do qualitative researchers address?

First, qualitative research questions often

ask about lived experience, personal experience, understanding, meaning, and stories

. These keywords indicate that you will be using qualitative methods. Second, qualitative research questions may be more general and less specific.

What is a bad research question?

A bad research question is

too abstract and general

. Public finance, human resource management, inequality and poverty, e-government, social welfare, or corruption is not specific enough.

What topic should be avoided in research?

  • abortion.
  • the death penalty.
  • same-sex marriage.
  • bullying.
  • gun control.
  • freedom of religion.

What is research problem example?

For example, if you propose, “

The problem in this community is that it has no hospital

.” This only leads to a research problem where: The need is for a hospital. The objective is to create a hospital.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.