How to design a scientific research question?

A scientific research question is a specific, answerable inquiry that guides empirical investigation to address knowledge gaps within a defined field. It serves as the foundation for all subsequent research activities and must be formulated with precision and clarity. Effective research questions embody key principles: they address a genuine gap in knowledge or unresolved problem; exhibit specificity and focus; are framed in a way that allows empirical testing or investigation; demonstrate relevance and timeliness to the field; and possess inherent feasibility given available resources, time, and methodological approaches. Crucially, they must possess the potential to contribute novel insights or advance understanding. Scrutinizing potential questions for these criteria is essential. Designing a research question involves iterative steps: identify a broad topic of interest through literature review and observation; explore existing knowledge to pinpoint specific gaps; draft potential questions addressing those gaps; evaluate and refine these questions based on relevance, specificity, feasibility, and testability; and finally, finalize the most focused and impactful question. This structured process ensures the question provides a clear, actionable pathway for rigorous scientific inquiry.