3. FRAMING RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Theme: From Problem Identification to Aim, Objectives, and Hypotheses
Duration: 1 week (self-paced)
Level: MA / MSc / PhD Preparation
Format: Fully self-contained lesson for independent study

🔷 3.1 Purpose of This Module

This module teaches you how to move from a general topic to a clearly defined research problem, then break it into a focused research question, aligned aim, SMART objectives, and (where appropriate) hypotheses.

By the end, you will be able to:

Formulate clear, answerable, and meaningful research questions
Distinguish between research topics, problems, and questions
Develop aligned research aims and objectives
Formulate testable hypotheses (for quantitative research)

🧠 3.2 From Topic → Problem → Question

✅ A. Topic

A broad area of interest, issue, or theme.

Example Topics:

Digital education

Urban sustainability

Mental health in workplaces

✅ B. Research Problem

A specific issue, gap, or unresolved question in the topic that needs scholarly inquiry.

Example:

Topic: Digital education

Problem: “Despite wide adoption of AI tools in learning, their effect on critical thinking is not well understood.”

✅ C. Research Question

A clearly framed, focused question that guides the entire research process.

Good questions are:

Answerable (with available data)

Clear (focused, not vague)

Researchable (not opinion-based or too philosophical)

Relevant (addresses a real-world or academic issue)

Examples:

“How do AI writing tools affect the critical thinking development of university students?”

“What are the barriers to climate-resilient urban planning in Sub-Saharan Africa?”

“How do nurses experience burnout during pandemic conditions?”

🎯 3.3 Research Aim and Objectives

✅ Research Aim

A broad statement of intent—what you hope to achieve overall.

Examples:

“To explore the impact of AI-assisted writing tools on student learning outcomes.”

“To evaluate the effectiveness of a hybrid work model on employee well-being.”

✅ Research Objectives

More specific, measurable steps that break down the aim into tasks.

Use the SMART model:

SMART	Meaning
S	Specific
M	Measurable
A	Achievable
R	Relevant
T	Time-bound

Examples (for the AI writing tool topic):

To examine how frequently students use AI tools in academic writing over a 4-month period.

To compare perceived critical thinking ability between AI users and non-users.

To analyse students’ attitudes towards AI feedback vs. tutor feedback.

🔬 3.4 Hypotheses (For Quantitative Research)

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

✅ Types of Hypotheses:

Null Hypothesis (H₀): Assumes no relationship
Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): Predicts a relationship exists

Example:

Research Question: “Does daily mindfulness practice reduce stress among postgraduate students?”

H₀: Daily mindfulness has no effect on stress levels.

H₁: Daily mindfulness reduces stress levels.

📊 3.5 Types of Research Questions

Type	Description	Example
Descriptive	Describes characteristics or trends	“What proportion of UK students use mental health apps weekly?”
Comparative	Compares two or more groups	“How do stress levels differ between online and in-person students?”
Causal/Explanatory	Examines cause and effect	“Does using an AI tutor increase student grades?”
Exploratory	Investigates a new or unknown topic	“How do students feel about AI being used to detect plagiarism?”
Evaluative	Assesses the effectiveness of something	“Is the new flexible work policy reducing staff turnover?”

🛠 3.6 Self-Learning Task Set (Independent Exercises)

✍️ TASK 1: From Topic to Question

Choose one general topic that interests you. Then, complete the steps:

Write a brief description of the issue (3–4 sentences)
Identify a specific research problem
Frame a main research question

Examples:

Topic: Mental health in postgraduate students
Problem: Increasing stress levels but little research on how AI tools help
Research Question: “How do AI-supported wellness apps affect stress management among MA students?”

🧠 TASK 2: Write Research Aim and Objectives

Using your question from Task 1:

Draft one broad aim
Create 3 SMART objectives that would help you achieve this aim

Example:

Aim: To assess the role of AI-supported wellness apps in managing postgraduate stress.
Objectives:
1. To measure frequency of wellness app usage over 3 months
2. To compare self-reported stress levels of users and non-users
3. To explore user satisfaction with app-based coping strategies

🔬 TASK 3: Hypothesis Construction (if using quantitative method)

Based on your question, write:

Null hypothesis (H₀)
Alternative hypothesis (H₁)