What best defines a Research Question (RQ)?

What best defines a Research Question (RQ)?

• A. An open-ended question used to explore or describe a phenomenon without predicting an outcome.
• B. A precise numerical forecast of future results.
• C. A statement asserting a causal link.
• D. A plan for collecting data.

Answer: (A)

A research question defines what you want to understand about a phenomenon and shapes how you approach the study. It should be open-ended and aimed at describing, explaining, or exploring patterns, relationships, or processes, rather than making a precise forecast. This is why an open-ended question that invites description or exploration without predicting an outcome fits best. Think of a research question as the compass for data collection and analysis: it asks about what happens, under what conditions, or how things are related, so you can gather appropriate evidence and interpret it. In contrast, a precise numerical forecast is essentially a prediction about future results, which is more aligned with a hypothesis. A statement asserting a causal link targets causation rather than asking a question to investigate, and a plan for collecting data is about methods, not the question itself.

A research question defines what you want to understand about a phenomenon and shapes how you approach the study. It should be open-ended and aimed at describing, explaining, or exploring patterns, relationships, or processes, rather than making a precise forecast. This is why an open-ended question that invites description or exploration without predicting an outcome fits best.

Think of a research question as the compass for data collection and analysis: it asks about what happens, under what conditions, or how things are related, so you can gather appropriate evidence and interpret it. In contrast, a precise numerical forecast is essentially a prediction about future results, which is more aligned with a hypothesis. A statement asserting a causal link targets causation rather than asking a question to investigate, and a plan for collecting data is about methods, not the question itself.