Dissertation Research Question Examples -Best Guide for 2023
Dissertation Research Question Examples
Are you struggling to develop a research question for your nursing dissertation? Choosing the right question is one of the most important steps in the dissertation writing process, but it can also be challenging. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of compelling nursing dissertation research question examples to inspire and guide you.
Our examples cover various nursing topics, from patient care and healthcare policies to nursing education and professional development. By exploring these examples, you’ll gain a better understanding of how to formulate a research question that is relevant, significant, and feasible. So, let’s dive in and get you started on your journey to academic success.
What Is a Dissertation Research Question?
A dissertation research question is a central question that your research project aims to answer. It’s a specific, concise, and well-defined statement that outlines the main focus of your dissertation. The research question sets the tone for the entire project and helps to guide the research process.
To create a good dissertation research question, you need to start with a broad topic and narrow it down to a specific question. Your research question should focus on a particular problem or issue you want to explore. It should also be relevant to your field of study and contribute to the existing knowledge in your area.
When formulating your research question, it’s important to consider the following:
- Purpose: What is the purpose of your research project? What do you want to achieve?
- Scope: What are the boundaries of your research project? What are the limits of your study?
- Feasibility: Is your research question feasible? Can it be answered through research within a reasonable timeframe?
- Significance: Why is your research question important? How does it contribute to your field of study?
A good dissertation research question should also be clear and concise. It should be phrased in a way that is easy to understand and answer. Avoid using jargon or technical language that may confuse your audience.
Why Is a Dissertation Research Question Important?
A dissertation research question is a vital element of any successful dissertation. It helps to guide the research process and ensures that your study stays on track. Here are some reasons why a dissertation research question is important:
Provides a clear focus
A research question gives your dissertation a clear focus and direction. It helps you narrow down your research and focus on a specific problem or issue you want to explore. Without a clear research question, your study can become unfocused and lack direction.
Guides your research
A good research question helps to guide your research process. It helps you determine what data you need to collect, what methods you should use to analyze the data, and what conclusions you can draw from it.
Contributes to the existing knowledge
Your research question should be relevant to your field of study and contribute to the existing knowledge in your area. You can contribute to developing new knowledge in your field by answering your research question.
Makes your study more meaningful
A clear research question makes your study more meaningful. It helps you identify your study’s purpose and how it can be applied in real-world situations.
Demonstrates your expertise
A well-formulated research question demonstrates your expertise in your field. It shows that you deeply understand the research problem and can use research methods to answer the question.
Types of Dissertation Research Questions
When writing a dissertation, formulating a research question is one of the most important aspects. A research question should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and it should guide your entire dissertation project. Here are some of the different types of research questions that you may encounter when writing a dissertation:
Qualitative Research Questions
Qualitative research questions in a dissertation aim to understand people’s meaning and experiences. These questions are open-ended and seek to explore the subject matter in-depth. The questions focus on understanding and interpreting social phenomena, and they can be developed using various methods, including interviews, observations, and focus groups.
Qualitative research questions are exploratory and are designed to generate insights that may be used to develop theories or hypotheses. These questions often begin with phrases such as “What is the meaning of,” “How do people experience,” or “What are the challenges of.” They may also be framed as broad, open-ended inquiries that allow participants to share their experiences and perspectives in their own words.
Qualitative research questions examples are divided into three:
Exploratory Questions
Exploratory questions are a type of qualitative research question used to investigate a phenomenon or problem that is not well understood or has not been extensively researched. These questions gather information and insights about a particular topic or issue.
Exploratory questions typically start with phrases like “what,” “how,” or “why” and are open-ended to allow for a broad range of responses. They can gather data through interviews, focus groups, observations, or other qualitative research methods.
Exploratory questions aim to generate a deep understanding of a topic, identify potential patterns or themes, and develop hypotheses for further research. By exploring the experiences and perspectives of participants, researchers can gain insights into complex social or healthcare issues and generate new ideas for addressing them.
Examples of exploratory questions in nursing research could include:
- What are the experiences of patients with chronic illnesses in managing their symptoms at home?
- How do nurses perceive their role in promoting patient safety in the hospital?
- Why do some healthcare professionals resist using electronic health record systems?
- What are the perceptions of healthcare providers regarding the use of complementary and alternative therapies in cancer care?
Predictive Questions
Predictive questions are a type of qualitative research question that aim to identify the factors or variables that are most likely to predict a certain outcome or behavior. These questions are often used in healthcare research to identify risk factors for disease and understand patient behaviors and decision-making processes.
Predictive questions typically start with phrases like “what factors predict,” “what are the predictors of,” or “what variables influence.” They are designed to gather data through surveys, questionnaires, or other data collection methods that allow researchers to analyze and identify patterns and relationships between variables.
Predictive questions aim to identify the most important factors or variables associated with a particular outcome and to develop models or algorithms that can predict that outcome based on those variables. This can be particularly useful in healthcare research when developing predictive models for disease or identifying risk factors for adverse health outcomes.
Examples of predictive questions in nursing research could include:
- What factors predict patient adherence to medication regimens?
- What are the predictors of falls in hospitalized elderly patients?
- What variables influence patients’ decisions to seek preventive healthcare services?
- What factors predict healthcare providers’ adoption of new clinical guidelines?
Interpretive Questions
Interpretive questions are important in qualitative nursing dissertation research. These types of questions seek to understand the meaning and interpretation of a particular phenomenon or experience as seen through the eyes of the participants.
Interpretive questions aim to uncover participants’ subjective perspectives and experiences rather than objective facts or statistics. They often involve exploring participants’ context, history, and personal experiences to gain a deeper understanding of their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to a particular phenomenon.
Examples of interpretive questions that could be used in qualitative nursing dissertation research include:
- How do patients with chronic illness interpret their experiences with healthcare providers?
- What are the meanings and interpretations of pain for patients with terminal illnesses?
- How do nurses interpret and respond to ethical dilemmas in their daily practice?
To develop effective qualitative research questions, it is essential to clearly understand the research problem and the purpose of the study. The researcher should also have a good grasp of the relevant literature and theories related to the subject matter. The questions should be designed to elicit detailed and nuanced responses and tailored to the specific population being studied.
Quantitative Research Questions
Quantitative research questions are used in studies that involve numerical data and statistical analysis. These research questions are commonly used in scientific, medical, and social research.
A good quantitative research question should be clear, concise, and specific. It should identify the variables being studied and the relationship between them. Quantitative research questions are divided into three:
Descriptive Questions
Descriptive questions are a type of research question commonly used in quantitative studies in nursing. These types of questions aim to describe the characteristics or behavior of a particular population or phenomenon.
Descriptive questions are useful in identifying and understanding trends, patterns, and relationships between variables. They often involve collecting data through surveys, questionnaires, or observational methods to gather information about a specific group or phenomenon.
For example, a descriptive question in a nursing dissertation could be: “What percentage of patients in the ICU develop hospital-acquired infections?” In this case, the research would aim to describe the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections in the ICU population.
Descriptive questions can be useful in generating hypotheses or identifying areas for further research. They can also compare groups or populations and identify differences or similarities.
When formulating descriptive questions, it is important to ensure they are specific, measurable, and objective. This will ensure that the data collected is reliable and valid and that the results obtained can be used to draw meaningful conclusions.
Comparative Questions
Comparative questions are quantitative research questions that seek to compare two or more groups or variables to determine their differences or similarities. These questions are used to identify relationships between variables and to determine whether there are significant differences between groups.
For example, a comparative research question in nursing could be: “What is the difference in pain scores between patients who receive regular pain medication and those who do not?” In this question, the researcher compares pain scores between two groups of patients – those who receive regular pain medication and those who do not.
Another example of a comparative research question in nursing could be: “What is the difference in readmission rates between patients who receive follow-up care after discharge and those who do not?” In this question, the researcher is comparing readmission rates between two groups of patients – those who receive follow-up care after discharge and those who do not.
Relationship-Based Questions
Relationship-based questions are a type of quantitative research question that seeks to explore the relationships between different variables. These questions investigate how changes in one variable might affect another variable or identify correlations or associations between variables.
Relationship-based questions are often used in healthcare research to explore how different factors contribute to patient outcomes or to identify predictors of certain conditions or diseases.
An example of a relationship-based question in nursing research might be: “What is the relationship between patient satisfaction scores and nurse staffing ratios in hospital settings?” In this case, the researcher would collect data on both patient satisfaction scores and nurse staffing ratios in several hospitals, then analyze the data to determine a correlation between the two variables.
Another example of a relationship-based question might be: “What is the relationship between dietary habits and blood pressure in patients with hypertension?” In this case, the researcher would collect data on the dietary habits and blood pressure of patients with hypertension and then analyze the data to determine whether there is a correlation between the two variables.
In developing a quantitative research question, it is important to ensure it is feasible and can be answered using available data and methods. It is also important to consider ethical concerns and ensure that the research design and methods are appropriate for the study question.
How to Write Research Questions
Writing a good dissertation research question is crucial to the success of your dissertation. Here are some steps to follow to create a strong research question:
Select a Topic
When selecting a topic for your dissertation, choosing something that interests you and aligns with your academic and professional goals is important. Start by brainstorming a list of potential topics, then narrow down your choices by considering the feasibility of conducting research in that area.
You should also review the literature on your potential topics to ensure enough information is available to support your research question. It’s essential to select a topic that is specific enough to be manageable but broad enough to provide significant insights.
Conduct Preliminary Research
When writing a dissertation research question, it is essential to conduct preliminary research to narrow down your topic and ensure that it is feasible to study. This involves exploring existing literature, reviewing relevant studies, and identifying gaps in the research that your dissertation can fill.
By conducting preliminary research, you can also refine your research question and ensure that it is original and contributes to the field. Additionally, preliminary research can help you determine the appropriate research methodology and data collection methods for your study.
Consider Your Audience
When writing a dissertation research question, it’s important to consider your audience. Who will be reading your dissertation and what are their expectations? Will they have prior knowledge of your topic or will you need to provide background information? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your research question to their interests and needs.
For example, if your audience is mostly experts in your field, your research question can be more specific and technical. However, if your audience includes people outside of your field, you may need to use simpler language and provide more context. Consider the language and tone you use in your research question, as well as the level of detail and complexity.
Generate Potential Questions
When generating potential research questions for your dissertation, it is important to consider your topic and research goals. Begin by brainstorming a list of questions related to your topic, and then narrow down the list to the most promising options. Your questions should be specific and well-defined but also broad enough to comprehensively explore the topic.
Avoid questions that are too simple or can be answered with a quick Google search. Instead, focus on questions that require deeper analysis and critical thinking. Don’t be afraid to revise and refine your questions as you go along, and consider seeking feedback from your advisor or peers. Remember, your research question is the foundation of your dissertation, so take the time to develop a strong and compelling one.
Review Your Questions
When you have generated a list of potential questions, reviewing them carefully is important. Consider factors like the scope of the question, its relevance to your topic and research area, and its feasibility in data collection and analysis. It’s also important to evaluate whether the question is too broad or too narrow and if it can be answered within the constraints of your dissertation project. Another consideration is whether the question will allow you to make an original contribution to the field. Once you have reviewed your potential questions, you can narrow your list to the strongest contenders for your dissertation research question. This process can involve seeking feedback from your advisor or peers to help you decide.
Construct Your Research Question
When constructing your research question, it is important to remember the purpose of your study and the specific variables you are investigating. Your research question should be concise, clear, and specific. It should also be phrased to allow for empirical investigation and analysis. To ensure that your research question is effective, consider revising and refining it multiple times until you have a question that is well-defined and achievable within the scope of your research. Additionally, it can be helpful to seek feedback from colleagues or advisors to ensure that your research question is both relevant and meaningful within the context of your field.
Dissertation Research Question Examples
Dissertation research questions are the foundation for any successful research project, guiding the entire research process from start to finish. A well-crafted research question helps you identify the specific objectives of your study, determine the type of research you will undertake, and shape the methodology you will use to collect and analyze your data.
Dissertation Research Question Examples
- How does participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program affect the stress levels of healthcare workers?
- What is the impact of social media marketing on consumer purchasing behavior in the fashion industry?
- How can the use of technology in the classroom enhance student engagement and learning outcomes?
- What is the relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement in elementary school students?
- How does employee job satisfaction affect organizational performance in the hospitality industry?
- What are the most effective strategies for reducing food waste in restaurants?
- How do cultural differences impact cross-cultural communication in international business negotiations?
- What is the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents?
- How does using artificial intelligence affect job displacement and the future of work?
- What is the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in the banking industry?
Dissertation Research Question Examples Conclusion
A well-crafted research question is the backbone of any successful dissertation. It sets the tone for the research process and guides the entire study. Dissertation research questions can be approached differently depending on the research type and methodology used. Use the examples provided in this guide as a starting point for crafting your research question, and be sure to consider the importance of the question you choose. You can also use a research question generator for more topic ideas on your nursing homework.
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