Every piece of research starts with a question. Whether you’re investigating a scientific phenomenon, exploring a social issue, or examining a text or artefact, a well-formed research question is what turns a general area of interest into a project that can actually be carried out. It gives your research a purpose and helps a reader understand why your work matters.
For HDR candidates and early career researchers, getting the research question right is often one of the hardest parts - and one of the most important. A vague or overly broad question can leave a project directionless, while a well-crafted one will guide your literature review, shape your methodology, and keep your data collection and analysis focused. It’s rare to get this exactly right on the first attempt, and that’s expected: refining your question is a normal and ongoing part of the research process.
This module is designed to help you develop and refine your research question, aims, and objectives for your research proposal. It covers: