Crafting Effective Research Questions: A Scenario-Based Quiz

Scenario: A student wants to research the impact of social media on teenage mental health. Which of the following research questions is most effective?

• How many teenagers use social media?
• Is social media good or bad for teenagers?
• What are the effects of social media on teenage mental health?
• How does daily social media use correlate with anxiety levels in teenagers aged 13-18?

Scenario: You're studying the environmental impact of plastic waste. Which research question is too broad?

• What are the effects of microplastics on marine ecosystems?
• How does plastic pollution affect the environment?
• What strategies can reduce plastic waste in urban areas?
• How effective are biodegradable plastics in reducing marine pollution?

Scenario: A researcher is interested in studying climate change. Which question is too narrow for a comprehensive study?

• How does global warming affect polar bear populations?
• What are the main contributors to climate change?
• How do greenhouse gas emissions impact global temperatures?
• What was the average temperature in New York City on July 4, 2020?

Scenario: You're researching the effectiveness of online learning. Which question is not specific enough?

• How does online learning affect student engagement?
• What are the pros and cons of online learning?
• How do synchronous online classes compare to asynchronous ones in terms of student performance?
• What strategies can educators use to improve student participation in online courses?

Scenario: A historian wants to study World War II. Which research question is most focused and manageable?

• What caused World War II?
• How did World War II change the world?
• What were the major battles of World War II?
• How did rationing affect civilian life in Britain during World War II?

Scenario: You're studying the impact of exercise on academic performance. Which question is most likely to yield quantifiable results?

• Does exercise make students smarter?
• How does regular physical activity affect students' test scores?
• Why is exercise important for students?
• What types of exercise do students prefer?

Scenario: A sociologist is researching gender equality in the workplace. Which question avoids bias in its phrasing?

• Why are women paid less than men?
• How can we prove that gender discrimination exists in hiring practices?
• What factors contribute to gender-based wage differences in various industries?
• Why don't more women choose high-paying careers?

Scenario: You're studying the effects of sleep on memory. Which research question is most appropriate for an experimental study?

• How much sleep do people need?
• What are the benefits of getting enough sleep?
• How does sleep deprivation affect short-term memory recall in college students?
• Why do some people need more sleep than others?

Scenario: A psychologist wants to research anxiety disorders. Which question is most suitable for a qualitative study?

• What percentage of the population suffers from anxiety disorders?
• How effective is cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating generalized anxiety disorder?
• What are the experiences of individuals living with social anxiety disorder in workplace settings?
• Is there a genetic component to anxiety disorders?

Scenario: You're researching the impact of technology on education. Which question is too vague to be an effective research question?

• How does the use of tablets in classrooms affect student engagement?
• What are the pros and cons of using educational apps for homework assignments?
• Is technology good for education?
• How does the implementation of learning management systems impact teacher workload?