One of the most important steps in your PhD research project is crafting a solid research question. Whether you’re just beginning to sketch out your ideas or refining a proposal for funding or supervisor approval, your research question acts as the cornerstone of your entire project. It defines your focus, guides your methodology, and shapes the structure of your thesis.
In this guide, we’ll explore what a research question is, how to formulate one, and how to recognise a good (or bad) research question. We’ll also look at research question PhD examples, the role of subquestions, and provide tips to help you develop a meaningful and feasible topic.
What Is a Research Question?
A research question is the central query that your study aims to answer. It’s not just a topic or a theme—it’s a specific, focused question that reflects the gap in knowledge you’re addressing.
Rather than simply stating, “I want to study migration in 20th-century Italy”, a research question pushes this further: “How did regional migration patterns in post-war Southern Italy influence political affiliations in urban Northern cities between 1945 and 1970?”
This refinement transforms a vague interest into a clear, researchable question.
Always keep in mind that your research question is the central query that drives your project. It defines what you want to discover, explore, or explain and provides the foundation for your entire thesis. Far more than just a topic, a strong research question focuses your work and determines your methodology, structure, and contribution to your field. Without a clear research question, your research risks becoming vague or unfocused.
This is even more important at PhD level. Your research question must go beyond describing a phenomenon; instead, it should identify a gap in existing literature and seek to address it through original research findings.
What Makes a Good Research Question?
A strong research question is:
- Clear and focused: It should be precise enough to be answered within the scope of a doctoral thesis.
- Original: It must address a gap in existing research or offer a new perspective on a known issue.
- Researchable: You should be able to answer it using appropriate methods, data, and resources.
- Relevant: It should contribute to ongoing debates in your field and be of interest to other scholars.
- Feasible: Do not underestimate the feasibility of your research question. It should realistically be answered within the constraints of a PhD project.
How to Develop a PhD Research Question
Developing a PhD research question is a long process. You may enter your doctoral journey with a broad area of interest, but this needs to be narrowed down significantly. Ask yourself: what has already been said in this field? Where are the tensions, contradictions, or gaps? What am I genuinely curious about?
Start by identifying a problem or debate within your discipline that interests you. Then read widely to explore how other scholars have approached it. Are there areas they’ve missed? Can you apply a new theoretical lens or methodology? This type of analytical reading will help you sharpen your focus.
Don’t be afraid to revise your question multiple times. A common mistake is settling too early on a question that is either too vague or too narrow. Your aim is to arrive at a question that is specific, researchable, and significant.
Writing a Research Question for Your PhD Proposal
When preparing a PhD proposal, your research question should be clear and prominently stated, usually within the first 500 words. It should be supported by:
- A rationale explaining why the question matters
- A brief review of existing literature showing the gap
- An outline of your intended approach or methodology
- Expected contributions to the field
You may include your main question followed by subquestions and any hypotheses (if applicable to your discipline). When writing your PhD proposal, your research question is the anchor. Everything else (your literature review, your methodology etc.) should revolve around it.
Try to show how your research question emerges logically from existing scholarship. Demonstrate that you’re truly engaging critically with the field and positioning your work in relation to others.
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Types of Research Questions
Research questions can take many forms, depending on your discipline and approach. Some of the most common types include:
- Descriptive questions: What is happening in a particular context?
- Comparative questions: How does A differ from B?
- Causal questions: What is the effect of X on Y?
- Exploratory questions: What can be learned about a new or poorly understood phenomenon?
- Theoretical questions: How can a concept be applied or extended?
Understanding the type of research question you’re asking will help you choose the right methodology.
How to Create a Research Question: Step-by-Step
1. Start With a Broad Topic
Begin by thinking about the general area you’re interested in. This could relate to your Master’s dissertation, a professional interest, or something emerging from current debates in your discipline.
2. Conduct Preliminary Reading
Before settling on a question, immerse yourself in the literature. Look for gaps, controversies, or unexplored angles.
3. Narrow Down Your Focus
Refine your topic into a specific area. For example, if your topic is digital education, you might focus on virtual classrooms in rural areas or the use of gamification in adult learning.
4. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Avoid questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no.” Use “how,” “why,” and “to what extent” to dig deeper.
5. Test for Feasibility
Check whether you can access the sources, data, or fieldwork required. Also assess whether the question fits your timeline.
6. Get Feedback
Talk to potential supervisors, academic peers, or use academic forums. An outside perspective often highlights problems or opportunities you haven’t spotted.
The Role of Subquestions
In many cases, your primary research question will be supported by several subquestions. These help to break down the main question into manageable parts, each of which contributes to the overall thesis.
Subquestions might explore different dimensions of the topic, such as the historical context, the theoretical framework, or the methodology used.
Well-designed subquestions keep your research on track and ensure that each chapter or section of your thesis contributes to answering the central question. However, too many subquestions can dilute your focus. Aim for a coherent set that deepens rather than disperses your enquiry.
Research Question PhD Example
Field: Modern History
Main Question: How did Italian anti-fascist intellectual networks contribute to international resistance narratives between 1935 and 1950?
Subquestions:
- What role did exile play in the dissemination of resistance literature?
- Which publications or publishing houses were most influential?
- How were these narratives received by audiences outside Italy?
This example is specific, feasible, and suited to a PhD-length project involving archival research and secondary literature.
Examples of Good and Bad Research Questions
Good research question (PhD example): “How did female patronage shape the production and reception of sacred art in fifteenth-century Florence?”
This question is clear, focused, researchable, and original. It identifies a specific group (female patrons), a medium (sacred art), a location (Florence), and a timeframe (fifteenth century).
Bad research question: “Why was Renaissance art so important?”
This question is far too broad and vague. It lacks focus, specificity, and researchability. A better version might be: “What role did civic identity play in the commissioning of Renaissance fresco cycles in central Italy?”
How to Refine Your Research Question Over Time
It’s common to begin with a rough question and refine it over time. You might test it through a small literature review, preliminary data collection, or conversations with your supervisor. Keep revising until you land on a formulation that feels both exciting and achievable. Start by drafting a few options and consider:
- Are they too broad or too narrow?
- Do they invite critical analysis, or could they be answered with a quick Google search?
- Are you personally invested in the topic?
- Can you realistically address them within the duration of a PhD and word count of a PhD thesis?
Final Thoughts: Invest in Your Research Question
Your research question is the foundation of your PhD. It shapes your entire project, from your literature review to your methodology and final analysis. A well-crafted question not only clarifies your research focus but also signals to supervisors and funding bodies that you are ready to undertake independent academic work. Furthermore a clear, focused, and well-crafted research question will save you time, stress, and confusion throughout your PhD journey.
Take the time to develop a question that excites you intellectually and stands up to academic scrutiny.
And remember: the best research questions don’t come fully formed. They emerge through curiosity, reading, reflection, and discussion.
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FAQs About PhD Research Questions
What is the difference between a thesis statement and a research question?
A research question guides your investigation—it’s an open query you aim to answer through your study. A thesis statement, on the other hand, presents your argument or central claim, often formed after you’ve begun analysing data or evidence.
How to turn a research question into a thesis statement?
Once you’ve conducted enough research to answer your question, you can form a thesis statement by asserting your main findings or arguments. For example:
Research Question: How did the Suffragette movement use media to advance their cause in early 20th-century Britain?
Thesis Statement: The Suffragette movement used a strategic media campaign involving newspapers, posters, and public demonstrations to shift public opinion and political discourse in their favour.
How many research questions should a PhD thesis have?
Most PhD theses centre around one main research question, accompanied by 2–4 subquestions. Too many questions can dilute your focus; too few might make your study feel shallow. The goal is depth, not breadth.
Can a research question change during a PhD?
Yes. Many candidates refine or slightly shift their research question as their study evolves. This is normal—just ensure your final thesis still answers the core question and maintains academic coherence.
Do all PhD disciplines require a research question?
Not always. While most humanities and social sciences PhDs are question-driven, some creative or practice-based PhDs may follow a different structure. However, they still need a central problem or aim to investigate.
