Research question

A

Hi,
I am a month through my PhD and I have been asked to prepare research questions (I know it is quite unusual but I did not have to write a research proposal due to the founding specs).
I have a general idea (more or less specific) about my research, however, I am not sure what format I should provide the questions in? For example - how long should be the document, how specific should the questions be? Should the questions be totaly unique?
I was thinking of providing a brief problem overview, then my questions/issues related to that problem/background. Do you think this is a correct approach and also how long do you think should be the document?
Thank you,
A.

T

Can you see what other people in your research group or department have done? There's really no hard and fast rule.

K

Give an overview of the area of study, where you see a gap in the literature (research questions) how you'll address those with your project and what this will mean for the field - better analysis/quicker results etc

T

Regarding length... I suggest you check with your supervisors. They're the ones who will be reading through it and they may have a preference about format/how long. There is defo no correct approach. So seeing what they want may help. If they have no preference you could set yourself a rough framework (e.g., 1000 words including a background, method, and references - that was the length of my proposal). The RQs may only be a few hundred words, if that.

Regarding their specificity... if your project is quantitative then I think the more specific you can get your questions the better. You might have a broad overarching aim, and then some RQs that will address that aim. The RQs might start out a bit fuzzy but then as you come to write more of the background and method, you can fill in the gaps/edit them.

As I am finding out, things like research questions often change later, as the PhD goes on... but it helpful to get something pinned down as a starting point.

A

Thank you all for the above answers. I have managed to prepare my questions and it looks like my supervisors appreciate the free form I have provided them.
Thanks again,
A.

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