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10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project

Published on October 30, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on October 19, 2023.

The research question is one of the most important parts of your research paper , thesis or dissertation . It’s important to spend some time assessing and refining your question before you get started.

The exact form of your question will depend on a few things, such as the length of your project, the type of research you’re conducting, the topic , and the research problem . However, all research questions should be focused, specific, and relevant to a timely social or scholarly issue.

Once you’ve read our guide on how to write a research question , you can use these examples to craft your own.

Note that the design of your research question can depend on what method you are pursuing. Here are a few options for qualitative, quantitative, and statistical research questions.

Other interesting articles

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

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How to Write a Research Question: Types and Examples 

The first step in any research project is framing the research question. It can be considered the core of any systematic investigation as the research outcomes are tied to asking the right questions. Thus, this primary interrogation point sets the pace for your research as it helps collect relevant and insightful information that ultimately influences your work.   

Typically, the research question guides the stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting. Depending on the use of quantifiable or quantitative data, research questions are broadly categorized into quantitative or qualitative research questions. Both types of research questions can be used independently or together, considering the overall focus and objectives of your research.  

What is a research question?

A research question is a clear, focused, concise, and arguable question on which your research and writing are centered. 1 It states various aspects of the study, including the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses. These questions also set the boundaries of the study, ensuring cohesion. 

Designing the research question is a dynamic process where the researcher can change or refine the research question as they review related literature and develop a framework for the study. Depending on the scale of your research, the study can include single or multiple research questions. 

A good research question has the following features: 

• It is relevant to the chosen field of study. 
• The question posed is arguable and open for debate, requiring synthesizing and analysis of ideas. 
• It is focused and concisely framed. 
• A feasible solution is possible within the given practical constraint and timeframe. 

A poorly formulated research question poses several risks. 1   

• Researchers can adopt an erroneous design. 
• It can create confusion and hinder the thought process, including developing a clear protocol.  
• It can jeopardize publication efforts.  
• It causes difficulty in determining the relevance of the study findings.  
• It causes difficulty in whether the study fulfils the inclusion criteria for systematic review and meta-analysis. This creates challenges in determining whether additional studies or data collection is needed to answer the question.  
• Readers may fail to understand the objective of the study. This reduces the likelihood of the study being cited by others. 

Now that you know “What is a research question?”, let’s look at the different types of research questions. 

Types of research questions

Depending on the type of research to be done, research questions can be classified broadly into quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies. Knowing the type of research helps determine the best type of research question that reflects the direction and epistemological underpinnings of your research. 

The structure and wording of quantitative 2 and qualitative research 3 questions differ significantly. The quantitative study looks at causal relationships, whereas the qualitative study aims at exploring a phenomenon. 

• Quantitative research questions:  
• Seeks to investigate social, familial, or educational experiences or processes in a particular context and/or location.  
• Answers ‘how,’ ‘what,’ or ‘why’ questions. 
• Investigates connections, relations, or comparisons between independent and dependent variables. 

Quantitative research questions can be further categorized into descriptive, comparative, and relationship, as explained in the Table below. 

• Qualitative research questions  

Qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional, and more flexible. It concerns broad areas of research or more specific areas of study to discover, explain, or explore a phenomenon. These are further classified as follows: 

• Mixed-methods studies  

Mixed-methods studies use both quantitative and qualitative research questions to answer your research question. Mixed methods provide a complete picture than standalone quantitative or qualitative research, as it integrates the benefits of both methods. Mixed methods research is often used in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research, especially in the behavioral, health, and social science fields. 

What makes a good research question

A good research question should be clear and focused to guide your research. It should synthesize multiple sources to present your unique argument, and should ideally be something that you are interested in. But avoid questions that can be answered in a few factual statements. The following are the main attributes of a good research question. 

• Specific: The research question should not be a fishing expedition performed in the hopes that some new information will be found that will benefit the researcher. The central research question should work with your research problem to keep your work focused. If using multiple questions, they should all tie back to the central aim. 
• Measurable: The research question must be answerable using quantitative and/or qualitative data or from scholarly sources to develop your research question. If such data is impossible to access, it is better to rethink your question. 
• Attainable: Ensure you have enough time and resources to do all research required to answer your question. If it seems you will not be able to gain access to the data you need, consider narrowing down your question to be more specific. 
• You have the expertise 
• You have the equipment and resources 
• Realistic: Developing your research question should be based on initial reading about your topic. It should focus on addressing a problem or gap in the existing knowledge in your field or discipline. 
• Based on some sort of rational physics 
• Can be done in a reasonable time frame 
• Timely: The research question should contribute to an existing and current debate in your field or in society at large. It should produce knowledge that future researchers or practitioners can later build on. 
• Novel 
• Based on current technologies. 
• Important to answer current problems or concerns. 
• Lead to new directions. 
• Important: Your question should have some aspect of originality. Incremental research is as important as exploring disruptive technologies. For example, you can focus on a specific location or explore a new angle. 
• Meaningful whether the answer is “Yes” or “No.” Closed-ended, yes/no questions are too simple to work as good research questions. Such questions do not provide enough scope for robust investigation and discussion. A good research question requires original data, synthesis of multiple sources, and original interpretation and argumentation before providing an answer. 

Steps for developing a good research question

The importance of research questions cannot be understated. When drafting a research question, use the following frameworks to guide the components of your question to ease the process. 4  

• Determine the requirements: Before constructing a good research question, set your research requirements. What is the purpose? Is it descriptive, comparative, or explorative research? Determining the research aim will help you choose the most appropriate topic and word your question appropriately. 
• Select a broad research topic: Identify a broader subject area of interest that requires investigation. Techniques such as brainstorming or concept mapping can help identify relevant connections and themes within a broad research topic. For example, how to learn and help students learn. 
• Perform preliminary investigation: Preliminary research is needed to obtain up-to-date and relevant knowledge on your topic. It also helps identify issues currently being discussed from which information gaps can be identified. 
• Narrow your focus: Narrow the scope and focus of your research to a specific niche. This involves focusing on gaps in existing knowledge or recent literature or extending or complementing the findings of existing literature. Another approach involves constructing strong research questions that challenge your views or knowledge of the area of study (Example: Is learning consistent with the existing learning theory and research). 
• Identify the research problem: Once the research question has been framed, one should evaluate it. This is to realize the importance of the research questions and if there is a need for more revising (Example: How do your beliefs on learning theory and research impact your instructional practices). 

How to write a research question

Those struggling to understand how to write a research question, these simple steps can help you simplify the process of writing a research question. 

Sample Research Questions

The following are some bad and good research question examples 

• Example 1 
• Example 2 

References:  

• Thabane, L., Thomas, T., Ye, C., & Paul, J. (2009). Posing the research question: not so simple.  Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d’anesthésie ,  56 (1), 71-79. 
• Rutberg, S., & Bouikidis, C. D. (2018). Focusing on the fundamentals: A simplistic differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research.  Nephrology Nursing Journal ,  45 (2), 209-213. 
• Kyngäs, H. (2020). Qualitative research and content analysis.  The application of content analysis in nursing science research , 3-11. 
• Mattick, K., Johnston, J., & de la Croix, A. (2018). How to… write a good research question.  The clinical teacher ,  15 (2), 104-108. 
• Fandino, W. (2019). Formulating a good research question: Pearls and pitfalls.  Indian Journal of Anaesthesia ,  63 (8), 611. 
• Richardson, W. S., Wilson, M. C., Nishikawa, J., & Hayward, R. S. (1995). The well-built clinical question: a key to evidence-based decisions.  ACP journal club ,  123 (3), A12-A13 

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• Jul 7, 2020

How to Write a Science Research Question

Humans are a very curious species. We are always asking questions. But the way we formulate a question is very important when we think about science and research. Here we’ll lay out how to form a science research question and the concepts needed to formulate a good research question. Luckily, we’ve got some handy visuals to help you along.

In order to inquire about the world, produce new information, and solve a mystery of about the natural world, we always use the scientific process to inform research questions. So, we need to keep in mind the steps of the scientific process :

Observation

Data to be obtained

Ways to analyze data

Conclusions to obtain from the question

First, clearly define your population and your variables.

Now, what is a population ? Defined in ecologic terms, a population are all the individuals of one species in a given area (e.g. population of deer, leatherback turtles, spruce trees, mushrooms, etc.).

Now, what is a variable ? A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types (e.g. length, quantity, temperature, speed, mass, distance, depth, etc.).

So, using different combinations of these two components, we can create three different types of research questions: descriptive, comparative, and correlative. These three types also match three of the modern research methodologies. 

Descriptive field investigations involve describing and/or quantifying parts of a natural system. Includes generally 1 population and one distinctive variable (figure 1). Examples of descriptive research questions:

How many pine trees are in the Mammoth Hot Springs area?

What is the wolf pack’s distribution range?

How frequently do humpback whales breed?    

Comparative field investigations involve collecting data on different populations/organisms, or under different conditions (e.g., times of year, locations), to make a comparison. Includes two or more populations and one distinctive variable (figure 2). Examples of comparative research questions:

Is there a difference in body length between male and female tortoises?

Is there a difference in diversity of fungi that live in the forest compared with non-forested areas?  

Correlative field investigations involve measuring or observing two variables and searching for a relationship between them for a distinctive population (figure 3). Examples of correlative research questions:

What is the relationship between length of the tail and age in humpback whales?

How does a spider’s reproduction rate change with a change in season?

To practice how to write a research question, we suggest the following steps:

Find a nice place where you can be alone and connected with nature. Bring nothing else but a journal and a pencil. Take a few moments to breath and observe everything that surrounds you. Use all of your senses to obtain information from your surroundings: smell the flowers around you, feel the leaves, hear the birds, and recognize all the life.

Choose a population that is around you and that interests you (flowers, trees, insects, rocks), and think about what would you like to know about that population. Write down what you want to study from that population (your variable). It is easier to choose the population first and the variables second. Think about a feasible and simple measurement. One easy measurement is counting, since it doesn’t require an instrument.

Write down your question using your population and variable. Remember to write a question that is going to be simple, measurable, attainable, relevant, and limited to a particular time and place. Avoid why questions.

Next, write a prediction that answers your question. This is your hypothesis .

Now that you have a defined population, measure your variable, and obtain data. Don’t forget to write it down in your journal.

Finally, compare your hypothesis with your actual data and write a conclusion about your findings.

These simple and fun steps will help you create great questions that will lead you to find interesting answers and discoveries. But remember, this process not only works for scientific questions but also for daily issues, such as why the car stopped working. You can use it to investigate local environmental problems and provide possible solutions for the benefit of your community and future generations.

You can find more information about this topic in: Ryken, A. E., Otto, P., Pritchard, K., & Owens, K. (2007). Field investigations: Using outdoor environments to foster student learning of scientific processes . Pacific Education Institute. 

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How to Write a Good Research Question (w/ Examples)

What is a Research Question?

A research question is the main question that your study sought or is seeking to answer. A clear research question guides your research paper or thesis and states exactly what you want to find out, giving your work a focus and objective. Learning  how to write a hypothesis or research question is the start to composing any thesis, dissertation, or research paper. It is also one of the most important sections of a research proposal . 

A good research question not only clarifies the writing in your study; it provides your readers with a clear focus and facilitates their understanding of your research topic, as well as outlining your study’s objectives. Before drafting the paper and receiving research paper editing (and usually before performing your study), you should write a concise statement of what this study intends to accomplish or reveal.

Research Question Writing Tips

Listed below are the important characteristics of a good research question:

A good research question should:

• Be clear and provide specific information so readers can easily understand the purpose.
• Be focused in its scope and narrow enough to be addressed in the space allowed by your paper
• Be relevant and concise and express your main ideas in as few words as possible, like a hypothesis.
• Be precise and complex enough that it does not simply answer a closed “yes or no” question, but requires an analysis of arguments and literature prior to its being considered acceptable. 
• Be arguable or testable so that answers to the research question are open to scrutiny and specific questions and counterarguments.

Some of these characteristics might be difficult to understand in the form of a list. Let’s go into more detail about what a research question must do and look at some examples of research questions.

The research question should be specific and focused 

Research questions that are too broad are not suitable to be addressed in a single study. One reason for this can be if there are many factors or variables to consider. In addition, a sample data set that is too large or an experimental timeline that is too long may suggest that the research question is not focused enough.

A specific research question means that the collective data and observations come together to either confirm or deny the chosen hypothesis in a clear manner. If a research question is too vague, then the data might end up creating an alternate research problem or hypothesis that you haven’t addressed in your Introduction section .

The research question should be based on the literature 

An effective research question should be answerable and verifiable based on prior research because an effective scientific study must be placed in the context of a wider academic consensus. This means that conspiracy or fringe theories are not good research paper topics.

Instead, a good research question must extend, examine, and verify the context of your research field. It should fit naturally within the literature and be searchable by other research authors.

References to the literature can be in different citation styles and must be properly formatted according to the guidelines set forth by the publishing journal, university, or academic institution. This includes in-text citations as well as the Reference section . 

The research question should be realistic in time, scope, and budget

There are two main constraints to the research process: timeframe and budget.

A proper research question will include study or experimental procedures that can be executed within a feasible time frame, typically by a graduate doctoral or master’s student or lab technician. Research that requires future technology, expensive resources, or follow-up procedures is problematic.

A researcher’s budget is also a major constraint to performing timely research. Research at many large universities or institutions is publicly funded and is thus accountable to funding restrictions. 

The research question should be in-depth

Research papers, dissertations and theses , and academic journal articles are usually dozens if not hundreds of pages in length.

A good research question or thesis statement must be sufficiently complex to warrant such a length, as it must stand up to the scrutiny of peer review and be reproducible by other scientists and researchers.

Research Question Types

Qualitative and quantitative research are the two major types of research, and it is essential to develop research questions for each type of study. 

Quantitative Research Questions

Quantitative research questions are specific. A typical research question involves the population to be studied, dependent and independent variables, and the research design.

In addition, quantitative research questions connect the research question and the research design. In addition, it is not possible to answer these questions definitively with a “yes” or “no” response. For example, scientific fields such as biology, physics, and chemistry often deal with “states,” in which different quantities, amounts, or velocities drastically alter the relevance of the research.

As a consequence, quantitative research questions do not contain qualitative, categorical, or ordinal qualifiers such as “is,” “are,” “does,” or “does not.”

Categories of quantitative research questions

Qualitative research questions.

In quantitative research, research questions have the potential to relate to broad research areas as well as more specific areas of study. Qualitative research questions are less directional, more flexible, and adaptable compared with their quantitative counterparts. Thus, studies based on these questions tend to focus on “discovering,” “explaining,” “elucidating,” and “exploring.”

Categories of qualitative research questions

Quantitative and qualitative research question examples.

Good and Bad Research Question Examples

Below are some good (and not-so-good) examples of research questions that researchers can use to guide them in crafting their own research questions.

Research Question Example 1

The first research question is too vague in both its independent and dependent variables. There is no specific information on what “exposure” means. Does this refer to comments, likes, engagement, or just how much time is spent on the social media platform?

Second, there is no useful information on what exactly “affected” means. Does the subject’s behavior change in some measurable way? Or does this term refer to another factor such as the user’s emotions?

Research Question Example 2

In this research question, the first example is too simple and not sufficiently complex, making it difficult to assess whether the study answered the question. The author could really only answer this question with a simple “yes” or “no.” Further, the presence of data would not help answer this question more deeply, which is a sure sign of a poorly constructed research topic.

The second research question is specific, complex, and empirically verifiable. One can measure program effectiveness based on metrics such as attendance or grades. Further, “bullying” is made into an empirical, quantitative measurement in the form of recorded disciplinary actions.

Steps for Writing a Research Question

Good research questions are relevant, focused, and meaningful. It can be difficult to come up with a good research question, but there are a few steps you can follow to make it a bit easier.

1. Start with an interesting and relevant topic

Choose a research topic that is interesting but also relevant and aligned with your own country’s culture or your university’s capabilities. Popular academic topics include healthcare and medical-related research. However, if you are attending an engineering school or humanities program, you should obviously choose a research question that pertains to your specific study and major.

Below is an embedded graph of the most popular research fields of study based on publication output according to region. As you can see, healthcare and the basic sciences receive the most funding and earn the highest number of publications. 

2. Do preliminary research  

You can begin doing preliminary research once you have chosen a research topic. Two objectives should be accomplished during this first phase of research. First, you should undertake a preliminary review of related literature to discover issues that scholars and peers are currently discussing. With this method, you show that you are informed about the latest developments in the field.

Secondly, identify knowledge gaps or limitations in your topic by conducting a preliminary literature review . It is possible to later use these gaps to focus your research question after a certain amount of fine-tuning.

3. Narrow your research to determine specific research questions

You can focus on a more specific area of study once you have a good handle on the topic you want to explore. Focusing on recent literature or knowledge gaps is one good option. 

By identifying study limitations in the literature and overlooked areas of study, an author can carve out a good research question. The same is true for choosing research questions that extend or complement existing literature.

4. Evaluate your research question

Make sure you evaluate the research question by asking the following questions:

Is my research question clear?

The resulting data and observations that your study produces should be clear. For quantitative studies, data must be empirical and measurable. For qualitative, the observations should be clearly delineable across categories.

Is my research question focused and specific?

A strong research question should be specific enough that your methodology or testing procedure produces an objective result, not one left to subjective interpretation. Open-ended research questions or those relating to general topics can create ambiguous connections between the results and the aims of the study. 

Is my research question sufficiently complex?

The result of your research should be consequential and substantial (and fall sufficiently within the context of your field) to warrant an academic study. Simply reinforcing or supporting a scientific consensus is superfluous and will likely not be well received by most journal editors.  

Editing Your Research Question

Your research question should be fully formulated well before you begin drafting your research paper. However, you can receive English paper editing and proofreading services at any point in the drafting process. Language editors with expertise in your academic field can assist you with the content and language in your Introduction section or other manuscript sections. And if you need further assistance or information regarding paper compositions, in the meantime, check out our academic resources , which provide dozens of articles and videos on a variety of academic writing and publication topics.

Research Question 101 📖

Everything you need to know to write a high-quality research question

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | October 2023

If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably asking yourself, “ What is a research question? ”. Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll explain what a research question is , how it’s differen t from a research aim, and how to craft a high-quality research question that sets you up for success.

Research Question 101

What is a research question.

• Research questions vs research aims
• The 4 types of research questions
• How to write a research question
• Frequently asked questions
• Examples of research questions

As the name suggests, the research question is the core question (or set of questions) that your study will (attempt to) answer .

In many ways, a research question is akin to a target in archery . Without a clear target, you won’t know where to concentrate your efforts and focus. Essentially, your research question acts as the guiding light throughout your project and informs every choice you make along the way.

Let’s look at some examples:

What impact does social media usage have on the mental health of teenagers in New York?

How does the introduction of a minimum wage affect employment levels in small businesses in outer London?

How does the portrayal of women in 19th-century American literature reflect the societal attitudes of the time?

What are the long-term effects of intermittent fasting on heart health in adults?

As you can see in these examples, research questions are clear, specific questions that can be feasibly answered within a study. These are important attributes and we’ll discuss each of them in more detail a little later . If you’d like to see more examples of research questions, you can find our RQ mega-list here .

Research Questions vs Research Aims

At this point, you might be asking yourself, “ How is a research question different from a research aim? ”. Within any given study, the research aim and research question (or questions) are tightly intertwined , but they are separate things . Let’s unpack that a little.

A research aim is typically broader in nature and outlines what you hope to achieve with your research. It doesn’t ask a specific question but rather gives a summary of what you intend to explore.

The research question, on the other hand, is much more focused . It’s the specific query you’re setting out to answer. It narrows down the research aim into a detailed, researchable question that will guide your study’s methods and analysis.

Let’s look at an example:

Research Aim: To explore the effects of climate change on marine life in Southern Africa.

Research Question: How does ocean acidification caused by climate change affect the reproduction rates of coral reefs?

As you can see, the research aim gives you a general focus , while the research question details exactly what you want to find out.

Need a helping hand?

Types of research questions

Now that we’ve defined what a research question is, let’s look at the different types of research questions that you might come across. Broadly speaking, there are (at least) four different types of research questions – descriptive , comparative , relational , and explanatory . 

Descriptive questions ask what is happening. In other words, they seek to describe a phenomena or situation . An example of a descriptive research question could be something like “What types of exercise do high-performing UK executives engage in?”. This would likely be a bit too basic to form an interesting study, but as you can see, the research question is just focused on the what – in other words, it just describes the situation.

Comparative research questions , on the other hand, look to understand the way in which two or more things differ , or how they’re similar. An example of a comparative research question might be something like “How do exercise preferences vary between middle-aged men across three American cities?”. As you can see, this question seeks to compare the differences (or similarities) in behaviour between different groups.

Next up, we’ve got exploratory research questions , which ask why or how is something happening. While the other types of questions we looked at focused on the what, exploratory research questions are interested in the why and how . As an example, an exploratory research question might ask something like “Why have bee populations declined in Germany over the last 5 years?”. As you can, this question is aimed squarely at the why, rather than the what.

Last but not least, we have relational research questions . As the name suggests, these types of research questions seek to explore the relationships between variables . Here, an example could be something like “What is the relationship between X and Y” or “Does A have an impact on B”. As you can see, these types of research questions are interested in understanding how constructs or variables are connected , and perhaps, whether one thing causes another.

Of course, depending on how fine-grained you want to get, you can argue that there are many more types of research questions , but these four categories give you a broad idea of the different flavours that exist out there. It’s also worth pointing out that a research question doesn’t need to fit perfectly into one category – in many cases, a research question might overlap into more than just one category and that’s okay.

The key takeaway here is that research questions can take many different forms , and it’s useful to understand the nature of your research question so that you can align your research methodology accordingly.

How To Write A Research Question

As we alluded earlier, a well-crafted research question needs to possess very specific attributes, including focus , clarity and feasibility . But that’s not all – a rock-solid research question also needs to be rooted and aligned . Let’s look at each of these.

A strong research question typically has a single focus. So, don’t try to cram multiple questions into one research question; rather split them up into separate questions (or even subquestions), each with their own specific focus. As a rule of thumb, narrow beats broad when it comes to research questions.

Clear and specific

A good research question is clear and specific, not vague and broad. State clearly exactly what you want to find out so that any reader can quickly understand what you’re looking to achieve with your study. Along the same vein, try to avoid using bulky language and jargon – aim for clarity.

Unfortunately, even a super tantalising and thought-provoking research question has little value if you cannot feasibly answer it. So, think about the methodological implications of your research question while you’re crafting it. Most importantly, make sure that you know exactly what data you’ll need (primary or secondary) and how you’ll analyse that data.

A good research question (and a research topic, more broadly) should be rooted in a clear research gap and research problem . Without a well-defined research gap, you risk wasting your effort pursuing a question that’s already been adequately answered (and agreed upon) by the research community. A well-argued research gap lays at the heart of a valuable study, so make sure you have your gap clearly articulated and that your research question directly links to it.

As we mentioned earlier, your research aim and research question are (or at least, should be) tightly linked. So, make sure that your research question (or set of questions) aligns with your research aim . If not, you’ll need to revise one of the two to achieve this.

FAQ: Research Questions

Research question faqs, how many research questions should i have, what should i avoid when writing a research question, can a research question be a statement.

Typically, a research question is phrased as a question, not a statement. A question clearly indicates what you’re setting out to discover.

Can a research question be too broad or too narrow?

Yes. A question that’s too broad makes your research unfocused, while a question that’s too narrow limits the scope of your study.

Here’s an example of a research question that’s too broad:

“Why is mental health important?”

Conversely, here’s an example of a research question that’s likely too narrow:

“What is the impact of sleep deprivation on the exam scores of 19-year-old males in London studying maths at The Open University?”

Can I change my research question during the research process?

How do i know if my research question is good.

A good research question is focused, specific, practical, rooted in a research gap, and aligned with the research aim. If your question meets these criteria, it’s likely a strong question.

Is a research question similar to a hypothesis?

Not quite. A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts an outcome, while a research question is a query that you’re trying to answer through your study. Naturally, there can be linkages between a study’s research questions and hypothesis, but they serve different functions.

How are research questions and research objectives related?

The research question is a focused and specific query that your study aims to answer. It’s the central issue you’re investigating. The research objective, on the other hand, outlines the steps you’ll take to answer your research question. Research objectives are often more action-oriented and can be broken down into smaller tasks that guide your research process. In a sense, they’re something of a roadmap that helps you answer your research question.

Need some inspiration?

If you’d like to see more examples of research questions, check out our research question mega list here .  Alternatively, if you’d like 1-on-1 help developing a high-quality research question, consider our private coaching service .

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project. 

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How To Write a Research Question

Academic writing and research require a distinct focus and direction. A well-designed research question gives purpose and clarity to your research. In addition, it helps your readers understand the issue you are trying to address and explore.

Every time you want to know more about a subject, you will pose a question. The same idea is used in research as well. You must pose a question in order to effectively address a research problem. That's why the research question is an integral part of the research process. Additionally, it offers the author writing and reading guidelines, be it qualitative research or quantitative research.

In your research paper , you must single out just one issue or problem. The specific issue or claim you wish to address should be included in your thesis statement in order to clarify your main argument.

A good research question must have the following characteristics.

• Should include only one problem in the research question
• Should be able to find the answer using primary data and secondary data sources
• Should be possible to resolve within the given time and other constraints
• Detailed and in-depth results should be achievable
• Should be relevant and realistic.
• It should relate to your chosen area of research

While a larger project, like a thesis, might have several research questions to address, each one should be directed at your main area of study. Of course, you can use different research designs and research methods (qualitative research or quantitative research) to address various research questions. However, they must all be pertinent to the study's objectives.

What is a Research Question?

A research question is an inquiry that the research attempts to answer. It is the heart of the systematic investigation. Research questions are the most important step in any research project. In essence, it initiates the research project and establishes the pace for the specific research A research question is:

• Clear : It provides enough detail that the audience understands its purpose without any additional explanation.
• Focused : It is so specific that it can be addressed within the time constraints of the writing task.
• Succinct: It is written in the shortest possible words.
• Complex : It is not possible to answer it with a "yes" or "no", but requires analysis and synthesis of ideas before somebody can create a solution.
• Argumental : Its potential answers are open for debate rather than accepted facts.

A good research question usually focuses on the research and determines the research design, methodology, and hypothesis. It guides all phases of inquiry, data collection, analysis, and reporting. You should gather valuable information by asking the right questions.

Why are Research Questions so important?

Regardless of whether it is a qualitative research or quantitative research project, research questions provide writers and their audience with a way to navigate the writing and research process. Writers can avoid "all-about" papers by asking straightforward and specific research questions that help them focus on their research and support a specific thesis.

Types of Research Questions

There are two types of research: Qualitative research and Quantitative research . There must be research questions for every type of research. Your research question will be based on the type of research you want to conduct and the type of data collection.

The first step in designing research involves identifying a gap and creating a focused research question.

Below is a list of common research questions that can be used in a dissertation. Keep in mind that these are merely illustrations of typical research questions used in dissertation projects. The real research questions themselves might be more difficult.

Example Research Questions

The following are a few examples of research questions and research problems to help you understand how research questions can be created for a particular research problem.

Steps to Write Research Questions

You can focus on the issue or research gaps you're attempting to solve by using the research questions as a direction.

If you're unsure how to go about writing a good research question, these are the steps to follow in the process:

• Select an interesting topic Always choose a topic that interests you. Because if your curiosity isn’t aroused by a subject, you’ll have a hard time conducting research around it. Alos, it’s better that you pick something that’s neither too narrow or too broad.
• Do preliminary research on the topic Search for relevant literature to gauge what problems have already been tackled by scholars. You can do that conveniently through repositories like Scispace , where you’ll find millions of papers in one place. Once you do find the papers you’re looking for, try our reading assistant, SciSpace Copilot to get simple explanations for the paper . You’ll be able to quickly understand the abstract, find the key takeaways, and the main arguments presented in the paper. This will give you a more contextual understanding of your subject and you’ll have an easier time identifying knowledge gaps in your discipline.

     Also: ChatPDF vs. SciSpace Copilot: Unveiling the best tool for your research

• Consider your audience It is essential to understand your audience to develop focused research questions for essays or dissertations. When narrowing down your topic, you can identify aspects that might interest your audience.
• Ask questions Asking questions will give you a deeper understanding of the topic. Evaluate your question through the What, Why, When, How, and other open-ended questions assessment.
• Assess your question Once you have created a research question, assess its effectiveness to determine if it is useful for the purpose. Refine and revise the dissertation research question multiple times.

Additionally, use this list of questions as a guide when formulating your research question.

Are you able to answer a specific research question? After identifying a gap in research, it would be helpful to formulate the research question. And this will allow the research to solve a part of the problem. Is your research question clear and centered on the main topic? It is important that your research question should be specific and related to your central goal. Are you tackling a difficult research question? It is not possible to answer the research question with a simple yes or no. The problem requires in-depth analysis. It is often started with "How" and "Why."

Start your research Once you have completed your dissertation research questions, it is time to review the literature on similar topics to discover different perspectives.

Strong  Research Question Samples

Uncertain: How should social networking sites work on the hatred that flows through their platform?

Certain: What should social media sites like Twitter or Facebook do to address the harm they are causing?

This unclear question does not specify the social networking sites that are being used or what harm they might be causing. In addition, this question assumes that the "harm" has been proven and/or accepted. This version is more specific and identifies the sites (Twitter, Facebook), the type and extent of harm (privacy concerns), and who might be suffering from that harm (users). Effective research questions should not be ambiguous or interpreted.

Unfocused: What are the effects of global warming on the environment?

Focused: What are the most important effects of glacial melting in Antarctica on penguins' lives?

This broad research question cannot be addressed in a book, let alone a college-level paper. Focused research targets a specific effect of global heating (glacial  melting), an area (Antarctica), or a specific animal (penguins). The writer must also decide which effect will have the greatest impact on the animals affected. If in doubt, narrow down your research question to the most specific possible.

Too Simple: What are the U.S. doctors doing to treat diabetes?

Appropriately complex: Which factors, if any, are most likely to predict a person's risk of developing diabetes?

This simple version can be found online. It is easy to answer with a few facts. The second, more complicated version of this question is divided into two parts. It is thought-provoking and requires extensive investigation as well as evaluation by the author. So, ensure that a quick Google search should not answer your research question.

How to write a strong Research Question?

The foundation of all research is the research question. You should therefore spend as much time as necessary to refine your research question based on various data.

You can conduct your research more efficiently and analyze your results better if you have great research questions for your dissertation, research paper , or essay .

The following criteria can help you evaluate the strength and importance of your research question and can be used to determine the strength of your research question:

• Researchable
• It should only cover one issue.
• A subjective judgment should not be included in the question.
• It can be answered with data analysis and research.
• Specific and Practical
• It should not contain a plan of action, policy, or solution.
• It should be clearly defined
• Within research limits
• Complex and Arguable
• It shouldn't be difficult to answer.
• To find the truth, you need in-depth knowledge
• Allows for discussion and deliberation
• Original and Relevant
• It should be in your area of study
• Its results should be measurable
• It should be original

Conclusion - How to write Research Questions?

Research questions provide a clear guideline for research. One research question may be part of a larger project, such as a dissertation. However, each question should only focus on one topic.

Research questions must be answerable, practical, specific, and applicable to your field. The research type that you use to base your research questions on will determine the research topic. You can start by selecting an interesting topic and doing preliminary research. Then, you can begin asking questions, evaluating your questions, and start your research.

Now it's easier than ever to streamline your research workflow with SciSpace ResearchGPT . Its integrated, comprehensive end-to-end platform for research allows scholars to easily discover, read, write and publish their research and fosters collaboration.

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Write a Research Question

Before you begin writing your research question, it is first important to craft a purpose statement. What can be a purpose of your study?

Examples of a purpose for a quantitative study include:

• Examining a relationship between students who take computing classes in high school and those who pursue computer science as a major in college,
• Evaluating the effectiveness of an outreach activity among underrepresented students, or
• Measuring engagement or interest in computing among middle school students.

Examples for a qualitative study include:

• Exploring parent stories about helping their students with computing homework or
• Developing a theory of effective management techniques in a computer lab.

Once you define the purpose of your study, you can then create a clear purpose statement. Purpose statements help you define your research in a straightforward manner. Here is an example of a well-defined purpose statement.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the completion of an 9-week computational thinking unit among 7th and 8th grade students in a rural middle school and student achievement on mathematics exams.

This purpose statement explicitly answers these questions:

• What is the intent of the study?
• What population group is targeted in the study (i.e., age, location, etc.)?
• What was the intervention (activity or curriculum), including its duration?

After you have decided on the purpose of your study and have written your purpose statement, you can then craft your research question.

Writing a Well-crafted Research Question

Research questions provide an overarching direction for your study to follow. It guides the type of study you will choose, the type of data you will collect, and the type of analysis on the data that you will perform.

Writing good research questions, then, is an important step in framing your study. What makes a good research question? Research questions should be clear, concise, specific, neutral, and focused. They should also be complex enough that the question requires more than just a “yes” or “no” answer. An example of a thorough research question for a quantitative study follows:

Does guardian understanding of computational thinking affect student performance on computational thinking tasks among primary school students in an urban school district?

For a qualitative study, a thorough research question may look like this:

What are the major challenges teachers face when teaching computational thinking to Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade students in the United States?

Typically, research questions are not the exact question that you will actually ask the participants in your study. They, however, guide those questions.

Research questions should:

• Define what is being measured
• Define the population group
• Be neutral (not assume the intervention being studied is effective or not)
• Be able to be answered in the timeframe you have planned for the study

Depending on the study length, more than one research question can be appropriate. Your research questions will most likely be related in some way, since they will be designed to support your purpose statement.

Defining What is being Measured

Defining what is being measured is important for narrowing your research. Consider the following questions:

1A: Does participation in a one-week teacher professional development around the Exploring Computer Science curriculum result in improved teaching practices? 1B: Does participation in a one-week teacher professional development around the Exploring Computer Science curriculum result in more frequent use of inquiry-based learning pedagogical methods?

In the example above, Question 1A refers to “improved teaching practices”. “Improved teaching practices” is unclear, since there is no context for “improved” against the status quo. In Question 1B, one teaching practice, inquiry-based learning, is chosen for the study.

Defining the Population Group

Defining the population group is often missing in research questions, but it is very easy to add. Consider the following questions:

2A: Do participants in a week-long Lego Robotics summer camp have an increased likelihood of taking computer science courses at the college level?

2B: Do 11th and 12th grade students in central Illinois who participate in a week-long Lego Robotics summer camp have an increased likelihood of taking computer science courses during their first year of college?

In the Question 2A, we do not know who the participants are or where they are located. As a research question, clearly stating the population group is important for identifying the group that will be targeted in your study. Sometimes this information may be provided in context within preceding paragraphs. However, restating the population group within the research question makes the target of your study clear to your reader.

In our review of hundreds of articles for this site, we have encountered many articles that do not state whether the group is undergraduate students, primary school students, or secondary school students or in which country or setting the study takes place. It is difficult for other researchers to use or build upon research that hasn’t clearly stated the population group. Embedding this into your research question will enable others to know who the participants in your study were.

Writing Neutral Statements

A neutral statement will exclude any pre-conceived bias. Consider these questions:

3A: What elements of AP Computer Science Principles make it a more appealing course to high school-aged girls than AP Computer Science A? 3B: Is the AP Computer Science Principles course more appealing to high school-aged girls than AP Computer Science A? If so, what is seen as different and/or more appealing?

Question A assumes that the AP Computer Science Principles course is more appealing than the AP Computer Science A course for the target population (high school-aged girls). If this has been previously established in prior research and the researchers are making this a follow-up study, then Question 3A may be seen as neutral. However, if this has not been previously established, then Question 3B may be a more appropriately worded research question.

Defining a Scope/Timeframe

Research studies are projects, and just like any project, it is important to manage scope. Scope is based on your timeframe and your resources. Consider the following questions:

4A: Are middle-school girls who participate in a summer camp more likely to pursue careers in computing fields than those who do not participate in the camp? 4B: Are middle-school girls who participate in a summer camp more likely to express interest in computing-related careers than those who do not participate in the camp?

Question 4A implies that girls will be tracked from middle school through college and into their careers. This longitudinal study would take a minimum of seven years, likely more, if you count the years it would take for a 6th grader to start her career. Question 4B is finite and could be evaluated at the end of camp, three months after the camp has ended, or even the following year.

In this example, both questions could be suitable and is entirely dependent on your timeframe for your study as well as your resources.

Additional Examples

Take a look at these examples that illustrate different types of requirements for well-crafted research questions.

Example 5A: How is Scratch used to teach computational thinking? Example 5B: How are Native American high school teachers in North Dakota using Scratch to teach computational thinking?

The 5A research question is very vague. We know nothing about the population group being studied or the intervention other than one computing education tool being used (Scratch) and the concept being taught. The 5B question specifies how Scratch is being used and the population group being targeted.

Example 6A: Does a game design camp make girls interested in computing? Example 6B: What is the impact of a one-week game design camp on the interest levels in computing among 7th and 8th grade girls located in Chicago’s West Side?

Example 6A is very broad. It may be fine if you are planning on writing a book or a 200-page dissertation. For most of us, though, our studies need to be more focused so that we can complete it in 6 months or 1 or 2 years. Example 6B looks at a specific cause (impact of a one-week game design camp), a specific locale (Chicago’s West Side), and a specific group (7th and 8th grade girls). By making your research question(s) well-defined, you are more likely to be able to answer the question in the timeframe for your study.

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Research Question and Thesis

If you have followed all the previous steps, you should be very close to developing a good question if you haven’t already. Here are a few examples of good and bad questions to help you distinguish an effective research question from an ineffective one.

Example #1: Why has religious fundamentalism arisen in North America?

Example #2: what is the relationship between theology and religious studies.

This is a good start, but it is much too general.

What does Donald Wiebe say about theology and religious studies?

This is more specific but you still need to bring the controversy to the forefront. As it stands, it invites a mere summary of Donald Wiebe's position.

Good research questions on this topic might be :

• Are there any conceptual problems with Wiebe's distinction between theology and religious studies?
• Does Wiebe's position on the distinction between theology and religious studies represent a radical departure from previous understandings of the relationship between the two?
• Does Wiebe's agenda to eliminate theology from Religious Studies have any unforeseen or undesirable practical implications?

All three of these questions have a narrower focus and can be answered in a variety of ways. Answering any of these questions will generate a thesis statement. Remember, the answer that you give to a research question is your thesis statement.

For further examples of good research questions, see Research Strategies by  Badke .

The Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement directly answers your research question, and takes a stand (rather than announces the subject) that others might dispute. In other words, it is provocative and contestable. A strong thesis clearly asserts your position or conclusion and avoids vague language (e.g. “It seems…). Your thesis should be obvious, easy to find, and clearly stated in the opening paragraph of your paper. The rest of your paper is devoted to substantiating your thesis by offering evidence in support of your claim. Remember, that it is perfectly acceptable to change your thesis if the evidence leads you to an alternative conclusion.

For examples of strong thesis statements, look for abstracts and articles from peer-reviewed journals and books, and attempt to find the thesis in each of these sources. The author(s) of these sources typically state their conclusions in several different ways.

Examples of thesis statements are italicized in the abstracts provided below.

“S tating the problem under discussion as "Islam and Science" is false because this formulation implies that there is such a thing as a reified and ahistorical and hence immutable "Islam" that is responsible for advancing or impeding scientific activity, both past and present.   In fact, Islam, like all other religions, is the specific ideology of a particular, historically determined society (i.e., Islam in Baghdad in the 830s, in Damascus in 1300, in Cairo around 1000, etc.) and has itself no historical agency; what that particular society accomplishes in the way of science wholly depends on who is using that ideology (if it is being used) and to what ends. The analysis of scientific activity in Islamic societies, therefore, can proceed only from the investigation of the social and political factors at play in each particular case. Injecting the notion of “Islam” into these discussions merely obfuscates the issue and confuses students, distracting them from historical analysis and political action.” Source: Gutas, Dimitri. 2003. “Islam and Science: A False Statement of the Problem.”  Islam & Science  1, no.2: 215-20.

“In this response article, some of the most challenging aspects of Islam and science discourse are discussed. Responding to the specific issues of the relationship between Islam and science and the normative Islamic tradition, the article explores the claims of a secular view that there is no such thing as essential Islam and that there is no relationship between Islam and the scientific tradition that arose in the Islamic civilization.  This view is refuted on the basis of historical, logical and internal evidence .”                                                                                     Source: Iqbal, Muzaffar. 2003. “Islam and Science: Responding to a False Approach.”   Islam & Science  ,  1, no. 2: 221-34.

“This rejoinder is a further contribution to the debate begun by M. Iqbal and D. Gutas on the differing perspectives and methodological assumptions of faith-based and secular approaches to the study of the history of science in religious cultures.  While the arguments presented are to some degree ad hominem, they do aim to highlight certain logical inconsistencies in the conceptualization of the role of religion in the study of science and in the revisionist portrayal of as a causal agent that functions independently of its adherents .” Source :  Reisman, David C.  2004. “An Unfortunate Response: Iqbal on Gutas.”  Islam & Science  2, no.1: 63-73.

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Developing a Research Question

From Laurier Library. 

Selecting and Narrowing a Topic

When starting out on your research, it is important to choose a research topic that is not only of interest to you, but can also be covered effectively in the space that you have available. You may not know right away what your research question is - that's okay! Start out with a broad topic, then conduct some background research to explore possibilities and narrow your topic to something more manageable.    

Choose an interesting general topic.  If you’re interested in your topic, others probably will be too! And your research will be a lot more fun. Once you have a general topic of interest, you can begin to explore more focused areas within that broad topic. 

Gather background information.  Do a few quick searches in OneSearch@IU  or in other relevant sources.  See what other researchers have already written to help narrow your focus.  

• What subtopics relate to the broader topic? 
• What questions do these sources raise?
• What piques your interest? What might you like to say about the topic? 

Consider your audience.  Who would be interested in this issue? For whom are you writing? 

Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center. (2008). How to write a research question. Retrieved from  http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/wc-quick-guides  

From Topic to Research Question

Once you have done some background research and narrowed down your topic, you can begin to turn that topic into a research question that you will attempt to answer in the course of your research.  Keep in mind that your question may change as you gather more information and as you write. However, having some sense of your direction can help you evaluate sources and identify relevant information throughout your research process. 

Explore questions.

• Ask open-ended “how” and “why” questions about your general topic.  
• Consider the “so what?” of your topic. Why does this topic matter to you? Why should it matter to others?

Evaluate your research question. Use the following to determine if any of the questions you generated would be appropriate and workable for your assignment. 

• Is your question clear? Do you have a specific aspect of your general topic that you are going to explore further?   
• Is your question focused? Will you be able to cover the topic adequately in the space available?   
• Is your question sufficiently complex? (cannot be answered with a simple yes/no response, requires research and analysis)

Hypothesize.  Once you have developed your research question, consider how you will attempt to answer or address it. 

• If you are making an argument, what will you say?  
• Why does your argument matter?  
• What kinds of sources will you need in order to support your argument?  
• How might others challenge your argument?

Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center. (2008). How to write a research question. Retrieved from http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/wc-quick-guides

Sample Research Questions

A good research question is clear, focused, and has an appropriate level of complexity. Developing a strong question is a process, so you will likely refine your question as you continue to research and to develop your ideas.  

Unclear : Why are social networking sites harmful?

Clear:  How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook?

Unfocused:  What is the effect on the environment from global warming?

Focused:  How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?

Simple vs Complex

Too simple:  How are doctors addressing diabetes in the U.S.?

Appropriately Complex:   What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in America, and how can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in prevention of the disease?

Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center. (2008). How to write a research question. Retrieved from  http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/wc-quick-guides

General online reference sources.

Reference sources like dictionaries and encylopedias provide general information about various subjects. They also include definitions that may help you break down your topic and understand it better. Sources includes in these entries can be springboards for more in-depth research.

A note on citation: Reference sources are generally not cited since they usually consist of common knowledge (e.g. who was the first United States President).  But if you're unsure whether to cite something it's best to do so. Specific pieces of information and direct quotes should always be cited. 

Why Use References Sources

Reference sources are a great place to begin your research. They can help you:

• gain an overview of a topic
• explore potential research areas
• identify key issues, publications, or authors in your research area

From here, you can narrow your search topic and look at more specialized sources.

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• Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Published on 30 October 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 12 December 2023.

A research question pinpoints exactly what you want to find out in your work. A good research question is essential to guide your research paper , dissertation , or thesis .

All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

Table of contents

How to write a research question, what makes a strong research question, research questions quiz, frequently asked questions.

You can follow these steps to develop a strong research question:

• Choose your topic
• Do some preliminary reading about the current state of the field
• Narrow your focus to a specific niche
• Identify the research problem that you will address

The way you frame your question depends on what your research aims to achieve. The table below shows some examples of how you might formulate questions for different purposes.

Using your research problem to develop your research question

Note that while most research questions can be answered with various types of research , the way you frame your question should help determine your choices.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them. The criteria below can help you evaluate the strength of your research question.

Focused and researchable

Feasible and specific, complex and arguable, relevant and original.

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis – a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

• Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
• Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
• Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarised in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

A research hypothesis is your proposed answer to your research question. The research hypothesis usually includes an explanation (‘ x affects y because …’).

A statistical hypothesis, on the other hand, is a mathematical statement about a population parameter. Statistical hypotheses always come in pairs: the null and alternative hypotheses. In a well-designed study , the statistical hypotheses correspond logically to the research hypothesis.

Cite this Scribbr article

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415 Research Question Examples Across 15 Disciplines

A research question is a clearly formulated query that delineates the scope and direction of an investigation. It serves as the guiding light for scholars, helping them to dissect, analyze, and comprehend complex phenomena. Beyond merely seeking answers, a well-crafted research question ensures that the exploration remains focused and goal-oriented.

The significance of framing a clear, concise, and researchable question cannot be overstated. A well-defined question not only clarifies the objective of the research but also determines the methodologies and tools a researcher will employ. A concise question ensures precision, eliminating the potential for ambiguity or misinterpretation. Furthermore, the question must be researchable—posing a question that is too broad, too subjective, or unanswerable can lead to inconclusive results or an endless loop of investigation. In essence, the foundation of any meaningful academic endeavor rests on the articulation of a compelling and achievable research question.

Research questions can be categorized based on their intent and the nature of the information they seek. Recognizing the different types is essential for crafting an effective inquiry and guiding the research process. Let's delve into the various categories:

• Descriptive Research Questions: These types of questions aim to outline and characterize specific phenomena or attributes. They seek to provide a clear picture of a situation or context without necessarily diving into causal relationships. For instance, a question like "What are the main symptoms of the flu?" is descriptive as it seeks to list the symptoms.
• Explanatory (or Causal) Research Questions: Explanatory questions delve deeper, trying to uncover the reasons or causes behind certain phenomena. They are particularly common in experimental research where researchers are attempting to establish cause-and-effect relationships. An example might be, "Does smoking increase the risk of lung cancer?"
• Exploratory Research Questions: As the name suggests, these questions are used when researchers are entering uncharted territories. They are designed to gather preliminary information on topics that haven't been studied extensively. A question like "How do emerging technologies impact remote tribal communities?" can be seen as exploratory if there's limited existing research on the topic.
• Comparative Research Questions: These questions are formulated when the objective is to compare two or more groups, conditions, or variables. Comparative questions might look like "How do test scores differ between students who study regularly and those who cram?"
• Predictive Research Questions: The goal here is to forecast or predict potential outcomes based on certain variables or conditions. Predictive research might pose questions such as "Based on current climate trends, how will average global temperatures change by 2050?"

Here are examples of research questions across various disciplines, shedding light on queries that stimulate intellectual curiosity and advancement. In this post, we will delve into disciplines ranging from the Natural Sciences, such as Physics and Biology, to the Social Sciences, including Sociology and Anthropology, as well as the Humanities, like Literature and Philosophy. We'll also explore questions from fields as varied as Health Sciences, Engineering, Business, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Education, Law, Agriculture, Arts, Computer Science, Architecture, and Languages. This comprehensive overview aims to illustrate the breadth and depth of inquiries that shape our world of knowledge.

Agriculture and forestry examples

Architecture and planning examples, arts and design examples, business and finance examples, computer science and informatics examples, education examples, engineering and technology examples, environmental sciences examples, health sciences examples, humanities examples, languages and linguistics examples, law examples, mathematics and statistics examples, natural sciences examples, social sciences examples.

• Descriptive: What are the primary factors that influence crop yield in temperate climates?
• Explanatory: Why do certain soil types yield higher grain production than others?
• Exploratory: How might new organic farming techniques influence soil health over a decade?
• Comparative: How do the growth rates differ between genetically modified and traditional corn crops?
• Predictive: Based on current climate models, how will changing rain patterns impact wheat production in the next 20 years?

Animal science

• Descriptive: What are the common behavioral traits of domesticated cattle in grass-fed conditions?
• Explanatory: Why do certain breeds of chickens have a higher egg production rate?
• Exploratory: What potential benefits could arise from integrating tech wearables in livestock management?
• Comparative: How does the milk yield differ between Holstein and Jersey cows when given the same diet?
• Predictive: How might increasing global temperatures influence the reproductive cycles of swine?

Aquaculture

• Descriptive: What are the most commonly farmed fish species in Southeast Asia?
• Explanatory: Why do shrimp farms have a higher disease outbreak rate compared to fish farms?
• Exploratory: How might innovative recirculating aquaculture systems revolutionize the industry's environmental impact?
• Comparative: How do growth rates of salmon differ between open-net pens and land-based tanks?
• Predictive: What will be the impact of ocean acidification on mollusk farming over the next three decades?
• Descriptive: What tree species dominate the temperate rainforests of North America?
• Explanatory: Why are certain tree species more resistant to pest infestations?
• Exploratory: What are the potential benefits of integrating drone technology in forest health monitoring?
• Comparative: How do deforestation rates compare between legally protected and unprotected areas in the Amazon?
• Predictive: Given increasing global demand for timber, how might tree populations in Siberia change in the next half-century?

Horticulture

• Descriptive: What are the common characteristics of plants suitable for urban vertical farming?
• Explanatory: Why do roses require specific pH levels in the soil for optimal growth?
• Exploratory: What potential methods might promote year-round vegetable farming in colder regions?
• Comparative: How does fruit yield differ between traditionally planted orchards and high-density planting systems?
• Predictive: How might changing global temperatures affect wine grape production in traditional regions?

Soil science

• Descriptive: What are the main components of loamy soil?
• Explanatory: Why does clay-rich soil retain more water compared to sandy soil?
• Exploratory: How might biochar applications transform nutrient availability in degraded soils?
• Comparative: How do nutrient levels vary between soils managed with organic versus inorganic fertilizers?
• Predictive: Based on current farming practices, how will soil quality in the Midwest U.S. evolve over the next 30 years?

Architectural design

• Descriptive: What are the dominant architectural styles of public buildings constructed in the 21st century?
• Explanatory: Why do certain architectural elements from classical periods continue to influence modern designs?
• Exploratory: How might sustainable materials revolutionize the future of architectural design?
• Comparative: How do energy consumption levels differ between buildings with passive design elements and those without?
• Predictive: Based on urbanization trends, how will the design of residential buildings evolve in the next two decades?

Landscape architecture

• Descriptive: What are the primary components of a successful urban park design?
• Explanatory: Why do certain types of vegetation promote greater biodiversity in urban settings?
• Exploratory: What innovative techniques can be employed to restore and integrate wetlands into urban landscapes?
• Comparative: How does visitor satisfaction vary between nature-inspired landscapes and more structured, geometric designs?
• Predictive: With the effects of climate change, how might coastal landscape architecture adapt to rising sea levels over the coming century?

Urban planning

• Descriptive: What are the main components of a pedestrian-friendly city center?
• Explanatory: Why do certain urban layouts promote more efficient traffic flow than others?
• Exploratory: How might the integration of vertical farming impact urban food security and cityscape aesthetics?
• Comparative: How do the air quality levels differ between cities with green belts and those without?
• Predictive: Based on increasing telecommuting trends, how will urban planning strategies adjust to potentially reduced daily commutes in the future?

Graphic design

• Descriptive: What are the prevailing typography trends in modern branding?
• Explanatory: Why do certain color schemes evoke specific emotions or perceptions in consumers?
• Exploratory: How is augmented reality reshaping the landscape of interactive graphic design?
• Comparative: How do print and digital designs differ in terms of elements and principles when targeting a young adult audience?
• Predictive: Based on evolving digital platforms, what are potential future trends in web design aesthetics?

Industrial design

• Descriptive: What characterizes the ergonomic features of leading office chairs in the market?
• Explanatory: Why have minimalist designs become more prevalent in consumer electronics over the past decade?
• Exploratory: How might bio-inspired design influence the future of transportation vehicles?
• Comparative: How does user satisfaction differ between traditional versus modular product designs?
• Predictive: Given the push towards sustainability, how will material selection evolve in the next decade of product design?

Multimedia arts

• Descriptive: What techniques define the most popular virtual reality (VR) experiences currently available?
• Explanatory: Why do certain sound designs enhance immersion in video games more effectively than others?
• Exploratory: How might holographic technologies revolutionize stage performances or public installations in the future?
• Comparative: How do user engagement levels differ between 2D animations and 3D animations in educational platforms?
• Predictive: With the rise of augmented reality (AR) wearables, what might be the next frontier in multimedia art installations?

Performing arts

• Descriptive: What styles of dance are currently predominant in global theater productions?
• Explanatory: Why do certain rhythms or beats universally resonate with audiences across cultures?
• Exploratory: How might digital avatars or AI entities play roles in future theatrical performances?
• Comparative: How does audience reception differ between traditional plays and experimental, interactive performances?
• Predictive: Considering global digitalization, how might virtual theaters redefine the experience of live performances in the future?

Visual arts

• Descriptive: What themes are prevalent in contemporary art exhibitions worldwide?
• Explanatory: Why have mixed media installations gained prominence in the 21st-century art scene?
• Exploratory: How is the intersection of technology and art opening new mediums or platforms for artists?
• Comparative: How do traditional painting techniques, such as oil and watercolor, contrast in terms of texture and luminosity?
• Predictive: With the evolution of digital art platforms, how might the definition and appreciation of "original" artworks change in the coming years?

Entrepreneurship

• Descriptive: What are the main challenges faced by startups in the tech industry?
• Explanatory: Why do some entrepreneurial ventures succeed while others fail within their first five years?
• Exploratory: How are emerging digital platforms reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape?
• Comparative: How do funding opportunities for entrepreneurs differ between North America and Europe?
• Predictive: What sectors are predicted to see the most startup growth in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary sources of external funding for large corporations?
• Explanatory: Why did the stock market experience a significant drop in Q4 2022?
• Exploratory: How might blockchain technology revolutionize the future of banking?
• Comparative: How do the financial markets in developing countries compare to those in developed countries?
• Predictive: Based on current economic indicators, what is the forecasted health of the global economy for the next five years?

Human resources

• Descriptive: What are the most sought-after employee benefits in the tech industry?
• Explanatory: Why is there a high turnover rate in the retail sector?
• Exploratory: How might the rise of remote work affect HR practices in the next decade?
• Comparative: How do HR practices in multinational corporations differ from those in local companies?
• Predictive: What skills will be in highest demand in the workforce by 2030?
• Descriptive: What are the core responsibilities of middle management in large manufacturing firms?
• Explanatory: Why do some management strategies fail in diverse cultural environments?
• Exploratory: How are companies adapting their management structures in response to the gig economy?
• Comparative: How does management style in Eastern companies compare with Western businesses?
• Predictive: How might artificial intelligence reshape management practices in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the most effective digital marketing channels for e-commerce businesses?
• Explanatory: Why did a particular viral marketing campaign succeed in reaching a global audience?
• Exploratory: How might virtual reality change the landscape of product advertising?
• Comparative: How do marketing strategies differ between B2B and B2C sectors?
• Predictive: What consumer behaviors are forecasted to dominate online shopping trends in the next five years?

Operations research

• Descriptive: What are the primary optimization techniques used in supply chain management?
• Explanatory: Why do certain optimization algorithms perform better in specific industries?
• Exploratory: How can quantum computing impact the future of operations research?
• Comparative: How does operations strategy differ between service and manufacturing industries?
• Predictive: Based on current technological advancements, how might automation reshape supply chain strategies by 2035?

Artificial intelligence

• Descriptive: What are the primary algorithms used in deep learning?
• Explanatory: Why do certain neural network architectures outperform others in image recognition tasks?
• Exploratory: How might quantum computing influence the development of AI models?
• Comparative: How do reinforcement learning methods compare to supervised learning in game playing scenarios?
• Predictive: Based on current trends, how will AI impact the job market over the next decade?

Cybersecurity

• Descriptive: What are the most common types of cyberattacks reported in 2022?
• Explanatory: Why are certain industries more vulnerable to ransomware attacks?
• Exploratory: How might advances in quantum computing challenge existing encryption methods?
• Comparative: How do open-source software vulnerabilities compare to those in proprietary systems?
• Predictive: Given emerging technologies, what types of cyber threats will likely dominate in the next five years?

Data science

• Descriptive: What are the main tools used by data scientists in large-scale data analysis?
• Explanatory: Why does algorithm X yield more accurate predictions than algorithm Y for certain datasets?
• Exploratory: How can machine learning models improve real-time data processing in IoT devices?
• Comparative: How does the performance of traditional statistical models compare to machine learning models in predicting stock prices?
• Predictive: Based on current data trends, what industries will likely benefit the most from data analytics advancements in the coming decade?

Information systems

• Descriptive: What are the core components of a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system?
• Explanatory: Why have cloud-based information systems seen a rapid adoption rate in recent years?
• Exploratory: How might the integration of blockchain technology revolutionize supply chain information systems?
• Comparative: How do information system strategies differ between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retailers?
• Predictive: Given the rise of remote work, how will information systems evolve to support decentralized teams in the future?

Software engineering

• Descriptive: What are the standard practices in agile software development?
• Explanatory: Why do some software projects face significant delays despite rigorous planning?
• Exploratory: How are emerging programming languages shaping the future of software development?
• Comparative: How does the software development lifecycle in startup environments compare to that in large corporations?
• Predictive: Based on current development trends, which software platforms are forecasted to dominate market share by 2030?

Adult education

• Descriptive: What are the primary motivations behind adults seeking further education later in life?
• Explanatory: Why do some adult education programs have a higher success rate compared to others?
• Exploratory: How might online learning platforms revolutionize adult education in the next decade?
• Comparative: How do adult education methodologies differ from traditional collegiate teaching techniques?
• Predictive: Given current trends, how will the demand for adult education courses change in the upcoming years?

Curriculum studies

• Descriptive: What are the core components of a modern high school curriculum in the United States?
• Explanatory: Why have certain subjects, like financial literacy, become more emphasized in recent curriculum updates?
• Exploratory: How can interdisciplinary studies be better incorporated into traditional curricula?
• Comparative: How does the math curriculum in the US compare to that in other developed countries?
• Predictive: Based on pedagogical research, what subjects are forecasted to gain prominence in curricula over the next decade?

Educational administration

• Descriptive: What are the main responsibilities of a school principal in large urban schools?
• Explanatory: Why do some schools consistently perform better in standardized testing than others, despite similar resources?
• Exploratory: How might emerging technologies shape the administrative tasks of educational institutions in the future?
• Comparative: How does school administration differ between private and public educational institutions?
• Predictive: Given the rise of online education, how will the role of educational administrators evolve in the coming years?

Educational psychology

• Descriptive: What cognitive strategies are commonly used by students to enhance memory retention during studies?
• Explanatory: Why do certain teaching methodologies resonate better with students having specific learning styles?
• Exploratory: How can insights from behavioral psychology improve student engagement in virtual classrooms?
• Comparative: How does the motivation level of students differ between self-paced versus instructor-led courses?
• Predictive: With the increasing integration of technology in education, how will student learning behaviors change in the next decade?

Special education

• Descriptive: What interventions are commonly used to support students with autism spectrum disorders in inclusive classrooms?
• Explanatory: Why do some special education programs yield better academic outcomes for students with specific learning disabilities?
• Exploratory: How can augmented reality technologies be utilized to enhance learning for students with visual impairments?
• Comparative: How does special education support differ between urban and rural school districts?
• Predictive: Based on advancements in assistive technologies, how will the landscape of special education transform in the near future?

Aerospace engineering

• Descriptive: What are the key materials and technologies utilized in modern spacecraft design?
• Explanatory: Why are certain alloys preferred in high-temperature aerospace applications?
• Exploratory: How might advances in propulsion technologies revolutionize space travel in the next decade?
• Comparative: How do commercial aircraft designs differ from military aircraft designs in terms of aerodynamics?
• Predictive: Given current research trends, how will the efficiency of jet engines change in the upcoming years?

Biomedical engineering

• Descriptive: What are the foundational principles behind the design of modern prosthetic limbs?
• Explanatory: Why have bio-compatible materials like titanium become crucial in implantable medical devices?
• Exploratory: How can nanotechnology be leveraged to improve drug delivery systems in the future?
• Comparative: How do MRI machines differ from CT scanners in terms of their underlying technology and application?
• Predictive: Based on emerging trends, how will wearable health monitors evolve in the next decade?

Chemical engineering

• Descriptive: What processes are involved in the large-scale production of ethylene?
• Explanatory: Why is distillation the most common separation method in the petroleum industry?
• Exploratory: How might green chemistry principles transform traditional chemical manufacturing processes?
• Comparative: How does the production of biofuels compare to traditional fossil fuels in terms of yield and environmental impact?
• Predictive: Given global sustainability goals, how will the chemical industry's reliance on fossil resources shift in the future?

Civil engineering

• Descriptive: What are the primary considerations in the structural design of skyscrapers in earthquake-prone regions?
• Explanatory: Why are steel-reinforced concrete beams commonly used in bridge construction?
• Exploratory: How can smart city concepts influence the infrastructure planning of urban centers in the future?
• Comparative: How do tunneling methods differ between soft soil and hard rock terrains?
• Predictive: With the increasing threat of climate change, how will coastal infrastructure design criteria change to account for rising sea levels?

Computer engineering

• Descriptive: What are the main components of a modern central processing unit (CPU) and their functions?
• Explanatory: Why is silicon predominantly used in semiconductor manufacturing?
• Exploratory: How might quantum computing redefine the landscape of traditional computing architectures?
• Comparative: How do solid-state drives (SSDs) compare to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) in terms of performance and longevity?
• Predictive: Given advancements in chip miniaturization, how will the form factor of consumer electronics evolve in the coming years?

Electrical engineering

• Descriptive: What are the standard stages involved in the transmission and distribution of electrical power?
• Explanatory: Why are transformers essential in the power distribution network?
• Exploratory: How can emerging smart grid technologies improve the efficiency and reliability of electrical distribution systems?
• Comparative: How do AC and DC transmission methods differ in terms of efficiency and infrastructure requirements?
• Predictive: With the rise of renewable energy sources, how will power grid management complexities change in the next decade?

Mechanical engineering

• Descriptive: What are the fundamental principles behind the operation of a four-stroke internal combustion engine?
• Explanatory: Why are certain polymers used as vibration dampeners in machinery?
• Exploratory: How might advancements in materials science impact the design of future automotive systems?
• Comparative: How do hydraulic systems compare to pneumatic systems in terms of energy efficiency and application?
• Predictive: With the push towards sustainability, how will traditional manufacturing methods evolve to reduce their carbon footprint?

Climatology

• Descriptive: What are the primary factors that influence the El Niño and La Niña phenomena?
• Explanatory: Why have certain regions experienced more intense and frequent heatwaves in the past decade?
• Exploratory: How might changing atmospheric CO2 concentrations impact global wind patterns in the future?
• Comparative: How do urban areas differ from rural areas in terms of microclimate conditions?
• Predictive: Given current greenhouse gas emission trends, what will be the average global temperature increase by the end of the century?

Conservation science

• Descriptive: What are the primary threats faced by tropical rainforests around the world?
• Explanatory: Why are certain species more vulnerable to habitat fragmentation than others?
• Exploratory: How can community involvement enhance conservation efforts in protected areas?
• Comparative: How does the effectiveness of in-situ conservation compare to ex-situ conservation for endangered species?
• Predictive: If current deforestation rates continue, how many species are predicted to go extinct in the next 50 years?
• Descriptive: What are the dominant flora and fauna in a temperate deciduous forest biome?
• Explanatory: Why do certain ecosystems, like wetlands, have higher biodiversity than others?
• Exploratory: How might the spread of invasive species alter nutrient cycling in freshwater lakes?
• Comparative: How do the trophic dynamics of grassland ecosystems differ from those of desert ecosystems?
• Predictive: How will global ecosystems change if bee populations continue to decline at current rates?

Environmental health

• Descriptive: What are the major pollutants found in urban air?
• Explanatory: Why do certain pollutants cause respiratory diseases in humans?
• Exploratory: How might green building designs reduce the health risks associated with indoor air pollutants?
• Comparative: How do the health impacts of living near coal-fired power plants compare to living near nuclear power plants?
• Predictive: Given increasing urbanization trends, how will air quality in major cities change over the next two decades?

Marine biology

• Descriptive: What are the primary species that comprise a coral reef ecosystem?
• Explanatory: Why are coral reefs particularly sensitive to changes in sea temperature?
• Exploratory: How might deep-sea exploration reveal unknown marine species and their adaptations?
• Comparative: How do the feeding strategies of pelagic fish differ from benthic fish in oceanic ecosystems?
• Predictive: If ocean acidification trends continue, what will be the impact on shell-forming marine organisms in the next 30 years?
• Descriptive: What are the most common oral health issues faced by elderly individuals?
• Explanatory: Why do sugary foods lead to a higher prevalence of cavities?
• Exploratory: How might emerging technologies revolutionize dental procedures in the coming decade?
• Comparative: How do the effects of electric toothbrushes compare to manual ones in reducing plaque?
• Predictive: Given current trends, how might the prevalence of gum diseases change in populations with increased sugar consumption over the next decade?

Kinesiology

• Descriptive: What are the primary physiological changes that occur during aerobic exercise?
• Explanatory: Why do some athletes experience muscle cramps during extensive physical activity?
• Exploratory: How might different stretching routines impact athletic performance?
• Comparative: How do the biomechanics of running on a treadmill differ from running outdoors?
• Predictive: If sedentary lifestyles continue to rise, what could be the potential impact on musculoskeletal health in the next 20 years?
• Descriptive: What are the main symptoms associated with the early stages of Parkinson's disease?
• Explanatory: Why are some viruses, like the flu, more prevalent in colder months?
• Exploratory: How might genetic editing technologies, like CRISPR, be utilized to treat hereditary diseases in the future?
• Comparative: How does the efficacy of traditional chemotherapy compare to targeted therapy in treating certain cancers?
• Predictive: Given advances in telemedicine, how might patient-doctor interactions evolve over the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary responsibilities of nurses in intensive care units?
• Explanatory: Why is there a higher burnout rate among nurses compared to other healthcare professionals?
• Exploratory: How can training programs be improved to better equip nurses for challenges in emergency situations?
• Comparative: How does the patient recovery rate differ when cared for by specialized nurses versus general ward nurses?
• Predictive: How will the role of nurses change with the integration of more AI-based diagnostic tools in hospitals?
• Descriptive: What are the main nutritional components of a Mediterranean diet?
• Explanatory: Why does a diet high in processed sugars lead to increased risks of type 2 diabetes?
• Exploratory: How might gut microbiota be influenced by various diets and what are the potential health implications?
• Comparative: How does the nutritional profile of plant-based proteins compare to animal-based proteins?
• Predictive: If global meat consumption trends continue, what could be the implications for population-wide nutritional health in 30 years?
• Descriptive: What are the primary active ingredients in over-the-counter pain relievers?
• Explanatory: Why do certain medications cause drowsiness as a side effect?
• Exploratory: How might nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems enhance the efficacy of certain treatments?
• Comparative: How do the effects of generic drugs compare to their brand-name counterparts?
• Predictive: Given the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, how might pharmaceutical approaches to bacterial infections change in the future?

Public health

• Descriptive: What are the main factors contributing to public health disparities in urban vs rural areas?
• Explanatory: Why did certain regions have higher transmission rates during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Exploratory: How can community engagement strategies be optimized for more effective health campaigns?
• Comparative: How do vaccination rates and outcomes differ between countries with public vs private healthcare systems?
• Predictive: Based on current trends, how will global public health challenges evolve over the next 50 years?

Art history

• Descriptive: What are the primary artistic styles observed in the Renaissance era?
• Explanatory: Why did the Baroque art movement emerge after the Renaissance?
• Exploratory: How might newly discovered ancient art pieces reshape our understanding of prehistoric artistic practices?
• Comparative: How does European Romantic art differ from Asian Romantic art of the same period?
• Predictive: Given current trends, how might digital art impact traditional art gallery setups in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary themes in Homer's "Odyssey"?
• Explanatory: Why did Greek tragedies place a strong emphasis on the concept of fate?
• Exploratory: Are there undiscovered works that might provide more insight into daily life in ancient Rome?
• Comparative: How do Roman epics compare to their Greek counterparts in terms of character development?
• Predictive: How will emerging technologies like virtual reality affect the study of ancient ruins?

Cultural studies

• Descriptive: How is the concept of family portrayed in contemporary American media?
• Explanatory: Why has the influence of Western culture grown in certain Eastern countries over the last century?
• Exploratory: What are the emerging subcultures in the digital age and how do they communicate?
• Comparative: How does the representation of masculinity vary between Eastern and Western films?
• Predictive: In what ways might globalization affect cultural identities in the next two decades?
• Descriptive: What events led to the fall of the Berlin Wall?
• Explanatory: Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in Britain?
• Exploratory: Are there undocumented civilizational interactions in ancient times that new archaeological findings might reveal?
• Comparative: How did the responses to the Black Plague differ between European and Asian nations?
• Predictive: Given historical patterns, how might major global powers react to dwindling natural resources in the future?
• Descriptive: What are the main narrative techniques used in James Joyce's "Ulysses"?
• Explanatory: Why did the Gothic novel become popular in 19th-century England?
• Exploratory: How might translations of ancient texts reveal different interpretations based on the translator's cultural background?
• Comparative: How does the portrayal of war differ between post-WWII American and French literature?
• Predictive: How might the rise of AI-authored literature change the publishing industry?
• Descriptive: What are the core principles of existentialism as described by Jean-Paul Sartre?
• Explanatory: Why did the philosophy of existentialism gain prominence post-WWII?
• Exploratory: How might ancient Eastern philosophies provide insights into modern ethical dilemmas surrounding technology?
• Comparative: How does Nietzsche's concept of the "Ubermensch" compare to Aristotle's "virtuous person"?
• Predictive: As AI becomes more prevalent, how might philosophical discussions around consciousness evolve?

Religious studies

• Descriptive: What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
• Explanatory: Why did Protestantism emerge within Christianity during the 16th century?
• Exploratory: Are there common motifs in creation myths across various religions?
• Comparative: How do concepts of the afterlife compare between Christianity, Buddhism, and Ancient Egyptian beliefs?
• Predictive: How might interfaith dialogue shape religious practices in multi-faith societies over the next decade?

Classic languages

• Descriptive: What are the primary grammatical structures in Ancient Greek?
• Explanatory: Why did Latin play a foundational role in the development of many modern European languages?
• Exploratory: Are there yet-to-be-deciphered scripts from ancient civilizations that might provide insight into lost languages?
• Comparative: How do the verb conjugation patterns in Latin compare to those in Sanskrit?
• Predictive: Given the ongoing research in classical studies, how might our understanding of certain ancient texts change in the next decade?

Comparative literature

• Descriptive: What are the main themes in Japanese Haiku and English Sonnets?
• Explanatory: Why do certain folklore tales appear with variations across different cultures?
• Exploratory: How might newly translated works from lesser-known languages reshape the world literature canon?
• Comparative: How does the role of the tragic hero in French literature differ from its portrayal in Russian literature?
• Predictive: As global communication becomes more interconnected, how might the study of world literature evolve in universities?

Modern languages

• Descriptive: What are the primary tonal patterns observed in Mandarin Chinese?
• Explanatory: Why has English become a dominant lingua franca in international business and diplomacy?
• Exploratory: Which lesser-studied languages might become more prominent due to socio-political changes in their regions?
• Comparative: How do the grammatical complexities of Russian compare to those of German?
• Predictive: Given current global trends, which languages are predicted to become more widely spoken in the next two decades?
• Descriptive: What are the primary articulatory features of plosive sounds?
• Explanatory: Why do certain accents develop specific pitch fluctuations and intonations?
• Exploratory: How do various environmental factors affect vocal cord vibrations and sound production?
• Comparative: How does the pronunciation of fricatives differ between Spanish and Portuguese speakers?
• Predictive: How might advancements in voice recognition technology influence phonetics research in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the primary signs and symbols used in American road signage?
• Explanatory: Why do red roses universally symbolize love or passion in many cultures?
• Exploratory: Are there emerging symbols in digital communication that could become universally recognized signs in the future?
• Comparative: How do the semiotic structures in print advertisements differ between Western and Eastern cultures?
• Predictive: As emoji usage becomes more widespread, how might they impact written language semantics in the coming years?
• Descriptive: What are the key statutes governing tenant rights in residential leases?
• Explanatory: Why do personal injury claims vary significantly in settlement amounts even under similar circumstances?
• Exploratory: How might alternative dispute resolution mechanisms evolve in civil law contexts over the next decade?
• Comparative: How do defamation laws differ between jurisdictions that adopt the British common law system versus the Napoleonic code?
• Predictive: How might the rise of online transactions affect the volume and nature of civil law cases related to contract disputes?

Constitutional law

• Descriptive: What are the main principles enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?
• Explanatory: Why have some constitutional rights been subject to varying interpretations over time?
• Exploratory: Are there emerging debates around digital rights and freedoms that might reshape constitutional interpretations in the future?
• Comparative: How does the protection of freedom of speech differ between the U.S. Constitution and the German Basic Law?
• Predictive: Given global socio-political trends, how might constitutional democracies adjust their foundational texts in the next two decades?

Corporate law

• Descriptive: What are the primary duties and liabilities of a board of directors in a publicly traded company?
• Explanatory: Why do mergers and acquisitions often involve extensive due diligence processes?
• Exploratory: How might the rise of digital currencies impact the regulatory landscape for corporations in the finance sector?
• Comparative: How does the legal framework for shareholder rights in the U.S. compare to that of Japan?
• Predictive: How might changing global trade dynamics influence corporate structuring and international partnerships?

Criminal law

• Descriptive: What constitutes first-degree murder in the majority of jurisdictions?
• Explanatory: Why are certain offenses classified as misdemeanors while others are felonies?
• Exploratory: Are there emerging patterns in cybercrime that suggest new areas of legal vulnerability?
• Comparative: How does the treatment of juvenile offenders differ between Scandinavian countries and the U.S.?
• Predictive: Given advancements in technology, how might criminal law evolve to address potential misuses of artificial intelligence?

International law

• Descriptive: What are the foundational principles of the Geneva Conventions?
• Explanatory: Why have some nations refused to recognize or be bound by certain international treaties?
• Exploratory: How might global climate change reshape international agreements and treaties in the coming years?
• Comparative: How do regional trade agreements in Africa compare to those in Southeast Asia in terms of provisions and enforcement mechanisms?
• Predictive: How might geopolitical shifts influence the role and effectiveness of international courts in resolving state disputes?

Applied mathematics

• Descriptive: What are the primary mathematical models used to predict the spread of infectious diseases?
• Explanatory: Why does the Navier–Stokes equation play a pivotal role in fluid dynamics?
• Exploratory: How might new computational methods enhance the efficiency of existing algorithms in applied mathematics?
• Comparative: How do optimization techniques in operations research differ from those in machine learning applications?
• Predictive: Given the rapid growth of quantum computing, how might it reshape the landscape of applied mathematical problems in the next decade?

Applied statistics

• Descriptive: What are the standard procedures for handling missing data in a large-scale survey?
• Explanatory: Why do statisticians use bootstrapping techniques in hypothesis testing?
• Exploratory: How might emerging data sources, like wearables and IoT devices, introduce new challenges and opportunities in applied statistics?
• Comparative: How does the performance of Bayesian methods compare to frequentist methods in complex hierarchical models?
• Predictive: With the increasing availability of big data, how might the role of applied statisticians evolve in the next five years?

Pure mathematics

• Descriptive: What are the axioms underpinning Euclidean geometry?
• Explanatory: Why is Gödel's incompleteness theorem considered a foundational result in the philosophy of mathematics?
• Exploratory: Are there newly emerging areas of study within number theory due to advancements in computational mathematics?
• Comparative: How do algebraic structures differ between rings and fields?
• Predictive: Considering current research trends, what areas of pure mathematics are poised for significant breakthroughs in the next decade?

Theoretical statistics

• Descriptive: What foundational principles underlie the Central Limit Theorem?
• Explanatory: Why is the concept of sufficiency crucial in the design of statistical tests?
• Exploratory: How might advances in artificial intelligence influence theoretical developments in statistical inference?
• Comparative: How do likelihood-based inference methods compare to Bayesian methods in terms of theoretical underpinnings?
• Predictive: As data generation mechanisms evolve, how might the theoretical foundations of statistics need to adapt in the future?
• Descriptive: What are the key features and behaviors of black holes?
• Explanatory: Why does the expansion of the universe appear to be accelerating?
• Exploratory: What potential insights might the study of exoplanets provide about the conditions necessary for life?
• Comparative: How do the properties of spiral galaxies differ from those of elliptical galaxies?
• Predictive: Based on current data, what are the projected future behaviors of our sun as it ages?
• Descriptive: What are the primary functions and structures of ribosomes in a cell?
• Explanatory: Why does DNA replication occur semi-conservatively?
• Exploratory: How might emerging technologies like CRISPR redefine our understanding of genetic engineering?
• Comparative: How do the metabolic processes of prokaryotic cells differ from those of eukaryotic cells?
• Predictive: Given the current trajectory of climate change, how might the biodiversity in tropical rainforests be affected over the next century?
• Descriptive: What are the key properties and uses of the noble gases?
• Explanatory: Why do exothermic reactions release heat?
• Exploratory: How might advances in nanochemistry influence drug delivery systems?
• Comparative: How do ionic bonds differ in strength and characteristics from covalent bonds?
• Predictive: Considering the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, how might the field of medicinal chemistry adapt to produce effective treatments in the future?

Earth science

• Descriptive: What are the primary layers of Earth's atmosphere and their respective characteristics?
• Explanatory: Why do certain regions experience more seismic activity than others?
• Exploratory: How might the study of ancient ice cores provide insights into past climate conditions?
• Comparative: How do the processes of weathering differ between arid and humid climates?
• Predictive: Given current data on deforestation, what could be its impact on global soil quality and erosion patterns over the next 50 years?
• Descriptive: What are the fundamental principles underlying quantum mechanics?
• Explanatory: Why does the speed of light in a vacuum remain constant regardless of the observer's frame of reference?
• Exploratory: How might studies in string theory reshape our understanding of the universe at the smallest scales?
• Comparative: How do the effects of general relativity contrast with predictions from Newtonian physics under extreme gravitational conditions?
• Predictive: With advancements in particle physics, what potential new particles or phenomena might be discovered in the next decade?

Anthropology

• Descriptive: What are the primary rituals and customs of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon?
• Explanatory: Why did the ancient Mayan civilization collapse?
• Exploratory: How might modern urbanization impact the preservation of ancient burial sites?
• Comparative: How do hunter-gatherer societies differ from agricultural societies in terms of social structures?
• Predictive: Given global trends, how might indigenous cultures evolve over the next century?

Communication

• Descriptive: What are the main modes of communication used by millennials compared to baby boomers?
• Explanatory: Why has the usage of social media platforms surged in the last two decades?
• Exploratory: How might advancements in virtual reality reshape interpersonal communication in the future?
• Comparative: How do written communication skills differ between those educated in traditional schools versus online schools?
• Predictive: How might the nature of journalism change with the rise of automated content generation?
• Descriptive: What are the primary components of a nation's gross domestic product (GDP)?
• Explanatory: Why did the economic recession of 2008 occur?
• Exploratory: How might the concept of universal basic income impact labor market dynamics?
• Comparative: How do free market economies differ from command economies in terms of resource allocation?
• Predictive: Based on current global economic trends, which industries are predicted to boom in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the geographical features of the Himalayan mountain range?
• Explanatory: Why do desert regions exist on the western coasts of continents, such as the Atacama in South America?
• Exploratory: How might rising sea levels reshape the world's coastlines over the next century?
• Comparative: How does urban planning in European cities differ from that in American cities?
• Predictive: Given current urbanization rates, which cities are poised to become megacities by 2050?

Political science

• Descriptive: What are the foundational principles of a parliamentary democracy?
• Explanatory: Why do certain nations adopt federal systems while others prefer unitary systems?
• Exploratory: How might the rise of populism influence global diplomatic relations in the 21st century?
• Comparative: How do the rights of citizens in liberal democracies differ from those in authoritarian regimes?
• Predictive: Based on current political trends, which nations might see significant shifts in governance models over the next two decades?
• Descriptive: What are the primary stages of cognitive development in children according to Piaget?
• Explanatory: Why do certain individuals develop phobias?
• Exploratory: How might emerging neuroscientific tools, like fMRI, alter our understanding of human emotions?
• Comparative: How do coping mechanisms differ between individuals with high resilience versus those with low resilience?
• Predictive: Given the rise in digital communication, how might human attention spans evolve in future generations?

Social work

• Descriptive: What are the core principles and practices in child protective services?
• Explanatory: Why do certain communities have higher rates of child neglect and abuse?
• Exploratory: How might the integration of artificial intelligence in social work affect decision-making in child welfare cases?
• Comparative: How do intervention strategies for substance abuse differ between urban and rural settings?
• Predictive: Based on current societal trends, what challenges might social workers face in the next decade?
• Descriptive: What are the defining characteristics of Generation Z as a social cohort?
• Explanatory: Why have nuclear families become less prevalent in Western societies?
• Exploratory: How might the widespread adoption of virtual realities impact social interactions and community structures in the future?
• Comparative: How do the roles and perceptions of elderly individuals differ between Eastern and Western societies?
• Predictive: Given the rise in remote work, how might urban and suburban living patterns change over the next three decades?

In synthesizing the vast range of research questions posed across diverse disciplines, it becomes clear that every academic field, from the humanities to the social sciences, offers unique perspectives and methodologies to uncover and understand various facets of our world. These questions, whether descriptive, explanatory, exploratory, comparative, or predictive, serve as guiding lights, driving scholarship and innovation. As academia continues to evolve and adapt, these inquiries not only define the boundaries of current knowledge but also pave the way for future discoveries and insights, emphasizing the invaluable role of continuous inquiry in the ever-evolving tapestry of human understanding.

Header image by Zetong Li .

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55 research questions about mental health

Last updated

11 March 2024

Reviewed by

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L

Research in the mental health space helps fill knowledge gaps and create a fuller picture for patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. Over time, these efforts result in better quality care and more accessible treatment options for those who need them.

Use this list of mental health research questions to kickstart your next project or assignment and give yourself the best chance of producing successful and fulfilling research.

• Why does mental health research matter?

Mental health research is an essential area of study. It includes any research that focuses on topics related to people’s mental and emotional well-being.

As a complex health topic that, despite the prevalence of mental health conditions, still has an unending number of unanswered questions, the need for thorough research into causes, triggers, and treatment options is clear.

Research into this heavily stigmatized and often misunderstood topic is needed to find better ways to support people struggling with mental health conditions. Understanding what causes them is another crucial area of study, as it enables individuals, companies, and policymakers to make well-informed choices that can help prevent illnesses like anxiety and depression.

• How to choose a strong mental health research topic

As one of the most important parts of beginning a new research project, picking a topic that is intriguing, unique, and in demand is a great way to get the best results from your efforts.

Mental health is a blanket term with many niches and specific areas to explore. But, no matter which direction you choose, follow the tips below to ensure you pick the right topic.

Prioritize your interests and skills

While a big part of research is exploring a new and exciting topic, this exploration is best done within a topic or niche in which you are interested and experienced.

Research is tough, even at the best of times. To combat fatigue and increase your chances of pushing through to the finish line, we recommend choosing a topic that aligns with your personal interests, training, or skill set.

Consider emerging trends

Topical and current research questions are hot commodities because they offer solutions and insights into culturally and socially relevant problems.

Depending on the scope and level of freedom you have with your upcoming research project, choosing a topic that’s trending in your area of study is one way to get support and funding (if you need it).

Not every study can be based on a cutting-edge topic, but this can be a great way to explore a new space and create baseline research data for future studies.

Assess your resources and timeline

Before choosing a super ambitious and exciting research topic, consider your project restrictions.

You’ll need to think about things like your research timeline, access to resources and funding, and expected project scope when deciding how broad your research topic will be. In most cases, it’s better to start small and focus on a specific area of study.

Broad research projects are expensive and labor and resource-intensive. They can take years or even decades to complete. Before biting off more than you can chew, consider your scope and find a research question that fits within it.

Read up on the latest research

Finally, once you have narrowed in on a specific topic, you need to read up on the latest studies and published research. A thorough research assessment is a great way to gain some background context on your chosen topic and stops you from repeating a study design. Using the existing work as your guide, you can explore more specific and niche questions to provide highly beneficial answers and insights.

• Trending research questions for post-secondary students

As a post-secondary student, finding interesting research questions that fit within the scope of your classes or resources can be challenging. But, with a little bit of effort and pre-planning, you can find unique mental health research topics that will meet your class or project requirements.

Examples of research topics for post-secondary students include the following:

How does school-related stress impact a person’s mental health?

To what extent does burnout impact mental health in medical students?

How does chronic school stress impact a student’s physical health?

How does exam season affect the severity of mental health symptoms?

Is mental health counseling effective for students in an acute mental crisis?

• Research questions about anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression are two of the most commonly spoken about mental health conditions. You might assume that research about these conditions has already been exhausted or that it’s no longer in demand. That’s not the case at all.

According to a 2022 survey by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12.5% of American adults struggle with regular feelings of worry, nervousness, and anxiety, and 5% struggle with regular feelings of depression. These percentages amount to millions of lives affected, meaning new research into these conditions is essential.

If either of these topics interests you, here are a few trending research questions you could consider:

Does gender play a role in the early diagnosis of anxiety?

How does untreated anxiety impact quality of life?

What are the most common symptoms of anxiety in working professionals aged 20–29?

To what extent do treatment delays impact quality of life in patients with undiagnosed anxiety?

To what extent does stigma affect the quality of care received by people with anxiety?

Here are some examples of research questions about depression:

Does diet play a role in the severity of depression symptoms?

Can people have a genetic predisposition to developing depression?

How common is depression in work-from-home employees?

Does mood journaling help manage depression symptoms?

What role does exercise play in the management of depression symptoms?

• Research questions about personality disorders

Personality disorders are complex mental health conditions tied to a person’s behaviors, sense of self, and how they interact with the world around them. Without a diagnosis and treatment, people with personality disorders are more likely to develop negative coping strategies during periods of stress and adversity, which can impact their quality of life and relationships.

There’s no shortage of specific research questions in this category. Here are some examples of research questions about personality disorders that you could explore:

What environments are more likely to trigger the development of a personality disorder?

What barriers impact access to care for people with personality disorders?

To what extent does undiagnosed borderline personality disorder impact a person’s ability to build relationships?

How does group therapy impact symptom severity in people with schizotypal personality disorder?

What is the treatment compliance rate of people with paranoid personality disorder?

• Research questions about substance use disorders

“Substance use disorders” is a blanket term for treatable behaviors and patterns within a person’s brain that lead them to become dependent on illicit drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications. It’s one of the most stigmatized mental health categories.

The severity of a person’s symptoms and how they impact their ability to participate in their regular daily life can vary significantly from person to person. But, even in less severe cases, people with a substance use disorder display some level of loss of control due to their need to use the substance they are dependent on.

This is an ever-evolving topic where research is in hot demand. Here are some example research questions:

To what extent do meditation practices help with craving management?

How effective are detox centers in treating acute substance use disorder?

Are there genetic factors that increase a person’s chances of developing a substance use disorder?

How prevalent are substance use disorders in immigrant populations?

To what extent do prescription medications play a role in developing substance use disorders?

• Research questions about mental health treatments

Treatments for mental health, pharmaceutical therapies in particular, are a common topic for research and exploration in this space.

Besides the clinical trials required for a drug to receive FDA approval, studies into the efficacy, risks, and patient experiences are essential to better understand mental health therapies.

These types of studies can easily become large in scope, but it’s possible to conduct small cohort research on mental health therapies that can provide helpful insights into the actual experiences of the people receiving these treatments.

Here are some questions you might consider:

What are the long-term effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for patients with severe depression?

How common is insomnia as a side effect of oral mental health medications?

What are the most common causes of non-compliance for mental health treatments?

How long does it take for patients to report noticeable changes in symptom severity after starting injectable mental health medications?

What issues are most common when weaning a patient off of an anxiety medication?

• Controversial mental health research questions

If you’re interested in exploring more cutting-edge research topics, you might consider one that’s “controversial.”

Depending on your own personal values, you might not think many of these topics are controversial. In the context of the research environment, this depends on the perspectives of your project lead and the desires of your sponsors. These topics may not align with the preferred subject matter.

That being said, that doesn’t make them any less worth exploring. In many cases, it makes them more worthwhile, as they encourage people to ask questions and think critically.

Here are just a few examples of “controversial” mental health research questions:

To what extent do financial crises impact mental health in young adults?

How have climate concerns impacted anxiety levels in young adults?

To what extent do psychotropic drugs help patients struggling with anxiety and depression?

To what extent does political reform impact the mental health of LGBTQ+ people?

What mental health supports should be available for the families of people who opt for medically assisted dying?

• Research questions about socioeconomic factors & mental health

Socioeconomic factors—like where a person grew up, their annual income, the communities they are exposed to, and the amount, type, and quality of mental health resources they have access to—significantly impact overall health.

This is a complex and multifaceted issue. Choosing a research question that addresses these topics can help researchers, experts, and policymakers provide more equitable and accessible care over time.

Examples of questions that tackle socioeconomic factors and mental health include the following:

How does sliding scale pricing for therapy increase retention rates?

What is the average cost to access acute mental health crisis care in [a specific region]?

To what extent does a person’s environment impact their risk of developing a mental health condition?

How does mental health stigma impact early detection of mental health conditions?

To what extent does discrimination affect the mental health of LGBTQ+ people?

• Research questions about the benefits of therapy

Therapy, whether that’s in groups or one-to-one sessions, is one of the most commonly utilized resources for managing mental health conditions. It can help support long-term healing and the development of coping mechanisms.

Yet, despite its popularity, more research is needed to properly understand its benefits and limitations.

Here are some therapy-based questions you could consider to inspire your own research:

In what instances does group therapy benefit people more than solo sessions?

How effective is cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with severe anxiety?

After how many therapy sessions do people report feeling a better sense of self?

Does including meditation reminders during therapy improve patient outcomes?

To what extent has virtual therapy improved access to mental health resources in rural areas?

• Research questions about mental health trends in teens

Adolescents are a particularly interesting group for mental health research due to the prevalence of early-onset mental health symptoms in this age group.

As a time of self-discovery and change, puberty brings plenty of stress, anxiety, and hardships, all of which can contribute to worsening mental health symptoms.

If you’re looking to learn more about how to support this age group with mental health, here are some examples of questions you could explore:

Does parenting style impact anxiety rates in teens?

How early should teenagers receive mental health treatment?

To what extent does cyberbullying impact adolescent mental health?

What are the most common harmful coping mechanisms explored by teens?

How have smartphones affected teenagers’ self-worth and sense of self?

• Research questions about social media and mental health

Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) have significantly impacted day-to-day communication. However, despite their numerous benefits and uses, they have also become a significant source of stress, anxiety, and self-worth issues for those who use them.

These platforms have been around for a while now, but research on their impact is still in its infancy. Are you interested in building knowledge about this ever-changing topic? Here are some examples of social media research questions you could consider:

To what extent does TikTok’s mental health content impact people’s perception of their health?

How much non-professional mental health content is created on social media platforms?

How has social media content increased the likelihood of a teen self-identifying themselves with ADHD or autism?

To what extent do social media photoshopped images impact body image and self-worth?

Has social media access increased feelings of anxiety and dread in young adults?

• Mental health research is incredibly important

As you have seen, there are so many unique mental health research questions worth exploring. Which options are piquing your interest?

Whether you are a university student considering your next paper topic or a professional looking to explore a new area of study, mental health is an exciting and ever-changing area of research to get involved with.

Your research will be valuable, no matter how big or small. As a niche area of healthcare still shrouded in stigma, any insights you gain into new ways to support, treat, or identify mental health triggers and trends are a net positive for millions of people worldwide.

Get started today

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521 Research Questions & Titles about Science

Do you enjoy revealing the mysteries of nature? There are as many secrets in space as there are deep in the ocean. You may be the one who solves the next puzzle!

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Natural science focuses on our environment. We try to understand how and why everything around us works. Living organisms, natural phenomena, rocks, and even the stars, are under scientists’ observation. Research in this area is a continuous process. Sometimes when it seems like we found out the answer, it just creates more questions! There are also plenty of weird things that can’t be explained.

Want to learn more about the scientific puzzles to be solved? Take a look at the collection of science research questions that Custom-writing.org experts have prepared. Find your perfect idea in the list below!

🔝 Top 10 Natural Science Topics for Research Papers

• 💡 Choosing a Research Topic

⭐ Scientific Research Topics List: Top 10

• 💫 Astronomy Topics
• 🐈 Biology Topics
• ⚛️ Chemistry Topics
• ☁️ Environmental Topics
• 🔷 Geology Topics
• 🌈 Physics Topics
• 🔝 20 Research Questions

🔎 References

• How to prevent bacterial diseases
• What is the origin of immunity?
• Main concepts in biolinguistics
• How can you improve gut microbiota?
• Climate change’s effect on bumblebees?
• How did dry climate affect human evolution?
• The importance of bacteria in aquatic ecosystems
• How does the neuron structure change during sleep?
• What’s the link between stem cell divisions and cancer?
• Smoking’s contribution to the mosaic loss of Y chromosome

💡 Choosing an Interesting Science Research Topic

There are plenty of scientific research papers topics to choose from. You can pick an area that you prefer: astronomy, biology, chemistry, nature, geology, and physics. And we prepared a list of at least 35 cool research titles about science in each of them!

However, you should put some effort into choosing a good and interesting topic. There are several aspects you need to consider. The first thing to look into is how easy or hard the future research may be. Evaluate the resources and the skills you have. Are they enough to understand if it is enough to resolve a scientific issue you chose?

Next, you should also foresee the benefits of the research. Proper scientific research can increase knowledge in a specific area. Of course, if you are a college student, you shouldn’t feel any obligation to solve unimaginable problems. However, even a small discovery could be a huge step in understanding an issue.

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Therefore, the key concept is to find a topic that would be easy and fruitful at the same time. Don’t rush! Usually, picking the first idea that comes to your mind doesn’t end successfully…

Also, don’t forget to listen to your inner voice. If it feels like the topic is not for you, cross it out. You shouldn’t waste your time working on research that doesn’t satisfy you. It also needs to reflect your point of view.

Last but not least, think about the approach of your research since it can also affect the topic. Decide whether you want to start quantitative or qualitative research . Then you might want to check out our collection of 501 good research topics for science!

• How hibernation of animals works
• Virtual reality vs. augmented reality
• Can false memories be implanted?
• The role of cryogenics in rocket science
• How can we reduce the gender gap in STEM?
• Cloud computing’s impact on data storage
• Microscopic techniques used in microbiology
• The importance of stem cells in medical science
• Types of genetic programming in machine learning
• The ways industries can conserve energy consumption

🚀 Space Research Topics

Have you ever had a dream of going into outer space as a kid? If yes, then these space research topics are for you!

Space research studies the observable universe that starts just outside the Earth’s surface. You don’t necessarily need to go in outer space to study it, though. Astronomy is where it all begins. Planets, galaxies, and different phenomena can all be studied from the ground. But note that most current projects also require some knowledge in physics, math, and computer science.

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If you feel like it’s for you, then check out the list of the trending astronomy research topics below.

💫 58 Astronomy Research Topics

• Tools used to identify different variable stars : an overview
• Astrophysics: compact binary star systems & broadband variability
• Stellar evolution: young stellar objects with circumstellar material
• Evolved objects: circumstellar material and mass-loss episodes
• What telescopes are used for studying stellar evolution with a multispectral approach?
• The theory of the Universe
• How is interferometry used to observe the circumstellar environment?
• The approaches to building a cool stellar photosphere model
• Mars in comparison to Earth
• How to improve the accuracy of the Infrared Space Observatory?

• The theory of infrared spectroscopy and cool standard stars
• The Milky Way and the expanding universe
• How are stellar candles helpful in determining the extragalactic distance scale?
• The evolution of intermediate-mass single stars
• International Space Station
• How to understand the physical processes of the low-mass single starts evolution?
• Infrared spectroscopy to study the final stellar evolution
• Solar system: geology, climate, and composition
• The impact of studying post-AGB stars on stellar evolution theory
• The diversity of the post-AGB stars’ nucleosynthetic yields
• India space mission
• Interferometry and the study of the post-AGB stars
• Solar system: the weather on other planets
• The connection between the matter and the interstellar medium
• Why is the interstellar medium important for understanding galaxy evolution?
• Space Exploration: UAE and INDIA Space Cooperation
• Supernova explosion: heavy metals and the interstellar medium
• How to investigate the chemical components of the diffuse interstellar clouds?
• The interaction between the ambient medium and stellar winds
• How are stellar wind properties measured?
• The approaches to learning the physics of exoplanets
• How are the chemical models of exoplanets built?
• The development of terrestrial planets’ atmosphere
• Hot Jupiter: the effect of circulation winds
• Exoplanets: surface and atmosphere connection
• Temperature and its effect on the habitability of exoplanets
• How are carbon-rich planets found?
• The evolution of binary stars vs. single stars
• What do binary stars interact with each other?
• How does the change in tidal forces affect the pulsations?
• What are the aspects of the seismic analysis of the binary stars?
• Asteroseismology: the analysis of the stars’ pulsation
• How are stellar pulsation modes identified in asteroseismology?
• The efficiency of iron in blocking the photons: the case of the Sun
• How does echography help understand the age of the young star?
• Why does the core of old stars spin faster than their surface?
• Gravitational-wave astronomy: the approaches to discover gravitational radiation
• The sensitivity of pulsar timing: studying supermassive black holes
• Radio observing as a way of finding new pulsars
• Is there a way to find out the cause of the accelerating expansion of the universe?
• How are planets formed in the accretion disks?
• The nature of the collimated outflows as the part of accretion disks
• Periodic pulses: looking for pulsars in binary systems
• Supermassive black holes: collecting data on gravitational waves
• Why does the precise distance to a neutron star matter?
• Analyzing the dusty components of the galaxies to understand their evolution
• How do telescopes help to study protoplanetary disks?
• What software is used to study the formation of planetary systems?

🌿 Plants & Animals: Biological Research

Studying living organisms makes it to the top of the most interesting science research topics! No complicated physics, no political debates, just the peaceful science of life. If that is what you were looking for, then this list of biology research topics is for you!

Biology may not be the most popular choice for those writing a paper, but it doesn’t make it less exciting. Just think about the life-changing ideas of Charles Darwin! No need to worry, there are quite enough issues to be solved in animal biology since it is such a wide area.

Look through the whole list of 164 plants and animals research topics to find the best one for you.

🐈 164 Biology Research Topics

• What are the benefits of using whole-genome sequencing?
• Whole-genome sequencing for identifying chemotherapy resistance
• How are molecular and organismal biology related to each other?
• Pathobiology: the importance of studying the mammalian skull
• The influence of the circadian rhythm of metabolism
• The animal kingdom in Antarctica: adapting to subzero temperatures
• Understanding the migration of cells in tumors to treat cancer

• Moral grounds of the cloning  
• What affects the survival rates of tumor cells? 
• The ways to detect and fight chemoresistant tumor cell 
• How are cytoskeleton microtubules and brain formation connected? 
• Studying the cell’s response to infectious agents to understand the diseases  
• Human development and the regeneration of heart tissues 
• The approaches to study induced pluripotent stem cells 
• How does the circadian cycle affect the human body temperature? 
• Microorganisms in soil and their influence on the plant 
• Why are some animals so smart?  
• Geotropism: what is the purpose behind responding to the change of gravity direction? 
• The relationship between the Earth’s magnetic field and animals 
• Bonobos and common shimps: compare and contrast  
• How do migratory birds navigate in the desert? 
• The connection between the hens’ diet and the size of eggs 
• How do nutrients circulate through the aquatic ecosystems? 
• Bacterial pathogenesis  
• The difference between the energy flow in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems 
• India’s solar installations  
• Understanding interactions between species for ecological sustainability 
• Entomology: the introduction to the mechanism of transmitting diseases 
• What are the host plant’s defense mechanisms against herbivores? 
• The most effective approaches to save the endangered insects species 
• The classification of the disease-transmitting insects 
• The Chernobyl disaster: causes and effects  
• Epidemiological modeling: how does knowing the origins of the disease help fighting it? 
• Population biology: genomic approaches to understand the spread of pathogens  
• Gas price increasing and alternative energy sources  
• The science of growing the animal cell in the lab 
• How can we predict the evolutionary changes in species with the help of evolutionary biology? 
• The evolution of genomes and its effect on the organismal function 
• What are the newest technologies used in evolutionary biology? 
• Genomics: using transcriptome analysis to detect drug-resistant genes 
• Whole-genome sequencing and natural variation 
• Infectious diseases: cellular determinants and host response 
• How do microbes change the immune system after infecting it? 
• Neuroscience : olfaction and processes on a molecular level 
• Neurobiology: the newest ways to study the human brain 
• What is the connection between antibiotics and bacterial enzymes? 
• The branches of biology that study DNA reparation 
• Breast cancer after surgeries: the ways to stop metastatic relapse 
• What are the effects of immune cell variations on malaria ? 
• Immunology: can an autoimmune disease be a root cause of glaucoma ? 
• Pancreatic cancer : what are the reasons for the drug resistance? 
• Ketone bodies and their effect on stem cells regeneration in the intestine 
• Studying planarians to investigate regeneration laws 
• Can DNA repair enzymes also tie to RNA? 
• Gene expression regulation and the flow of genetic information 
• How do RNAs influence the development of the diseases? 
• The ways to predict the effect of microRNAs on gene expression 
• The most recent developments in transplantation research 
• The approaches to fighting the biofouling problem 
• What are the root causes of algae blooms? 
• Bioluminescence: how can luciferase be helpful in medical diagnostics? 
• What causes a decrease in monarch butterfly migration? 
• Camouflage: how can squid deception skills help develop new materials? 
• Using 3-D printing to improve the health of coral reef population 
• Third mass bleaching: the potential of crossbreeding 
• Will the process of de-extinction be possible in the near future? 
• What could be the negative effects of the de-extinction? 
• How to protect the Great Dismal Swamp from climate change? 
• The physics behind the V-formation of birds flying 
• What is the humans’ contribution to the spread of invasive species? 
• The ways to slow down the current sixth mass extinction 
• How do plants and animals look after their microbiome? 
• Diet vs. environment: what influences microbiome more? 
• Evolution: the secret of butterflies from different locations evolving the same pattern 
• Wallflowers and mutagenesis studying: the next-gen cancer treatment 
• The influence of oil spills on the food crops 
• The best natural pesticides for organic farming  
• The negative effects of organic farming on the environment 
• How does conservation help save tropical rainforests? 
• How do red tides algae affect fish and mammals? 
• The most recent approaches to the wetland restoration 
• White polar bear : why is the low energy level dangerous for them? 
• Human biology: how does the effect of afterimage work? 
• How could food coloring change the taste of the product? 
• The secrets of human taste buds: why some people can’t taste sour? 
• The memory of the human immune system fighting common illnesses 
• The correlation between the age and the lung capacity 
• Human eye: the evolution of the peripheral vision 
• Lateralisation of brain function in dogs: tail-wagging 
• What is the purpose of homosexuality in the animal kingdom? 
• How does diet affect sex hormones flow in women? 
• The microbial factories as the pharmaceutical solution 
• Can the cloning technology that was tested on the sheep be used on humans? 
• How and why is the human gestation period different from other mammals? 
• What amount of ultraviolet is deadly for different bacteria? 
• The connection between the level of dilution of disinfectant and bacterial resistance 
• The concentration of the preservative in food and microbial growth 
• Red tides: how does overgrazing become even more harmful? 
• How fast are bacteria spreading in the thawing meat? 
• The role of heavy metal resistance in the adaptation of the plants to different environments 
• Plant growth: nitrogen-fixing bacteria vs. nitrogen fertilizers 
• The best plants for preventing soil erosion  
• Using duckweed to test the level of water contamination  
• The deadly fungi : preventive measures of trees extinction 
• Can human urine be used as a cheaper alternative for fertilizers? 
• What affects the number of seeds in different fruits? 
• What is happening to the honey bees  
• Hydroponics as the most sustainable farming of the future 
• How do forests self-regulate the population density ? 
• What is the relation between gravitropism and hydrotropism? 
• How much can we control our genetics, at what point do we cease to be human?  
• The impact of studying phototropism on solar energy research 
• Planaria and its regeneration skills: magnetic field effect 
• Is cloning “playing God”?  
• How does caffeine affect plants and animals? 
• Wild animals of the United States of America  
• Aquaculture : the most recent trends in aquafarming 

• How does fish egg predation affect the fish population? 
• The importance of the number of trace metals in marine invertebrates 
• Marine biology : the importance of CO2 levels and glacial cycles 
• The connection between GABA receptors and central nervous system 
• The pathogenic mechanisms of Dengue viruses 
• Using microwave for components extraction from medical plants 
• Rhizobacteria as a way to promote the growth of the plants 
• The most effective methods to prevent pathology in plants 
• Modern technologies and controlling plant diseases 
• How does climate change influence the evolution of animals? 
• Human vs. non-human part in the extinction of species : compare and contrast 
• The root causes and preventive measures of obesity in pets 
• The significance of male pregnancy in the animal kingdom 
• Why shouldn’t we feed cats and hedgehogs with milk? 
• Similarities and differences between cats and dogs  
• Marine biology: the negative effects of whale hunting 
• The reason why wild animals should also be protected 
• The brain wiring or vocal anatomy: why primates don’t talk? 
• Are homosexuality psychological phenomena or genetic? 
• The cloning of a DNA fragment, and a Southern blot  
• Human body: is there any hormone that we don’t need? 
• How can adaptogens influence the human endocrine system? 
• The effects of long-term use of synthetic hormones on the female endocrine system 
• Stressful and dangerous situation: why cortisol level stays high longer than adrenaline 
• Compare and contrast the main functions of cortisol and adrenaline 
• Bipolar disorder : biological point of view 
• What is the role of oxytocin in treating psychopathic disorders? 
• Bacteria: the influence of your gut health on anxiety and depression 
• The genetics behind the development of schizophrenia  
• Is there a connection between rain forests and fast food? 
• Biological point of view on the importance of ecotourism  
• Does climate change slow down the appearance of new species? 
• The connection between aneuploidy and female fertility 
• What is the relationship between sickle cell anemia and red cell antigens? 
• How to prevent the depletion of groundwater resources? 
• The development of natural selection theory 
• The causes of feline leukemia virus in wild cats 
• How do newborn mice regrow heart muscle tissue? 
• The development of implantable robots for regrowing tissue 
• Feeding inhibition in tadpoles: the nature of a mechanism 
• How do macrophages guide branching neurons? 
• The development of a stem cell and the influence of water level on it 
• The process of creating an embryo from stem cells  
• How does sequencing help study the development of the cells? 
• Right and left hemispheres: are they connected before the birth? 
• The connection between gut health and asthma in babies 

🔬 Research in Chemistry

You may not realize it, but everything happening around is chemistry. Even such simple actions as breathing and eating are chemical reactions! How cool is that? Chemistry makes it to the top fun science research topics.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

The thing is that everything is made of chemicals. Yes, even your body and your food! So claiming that you “don’t want to eat those chemicals in the food” would be fundamentally wrong. However, trying to avoid harmful additives is a healthy practice.

Are you excited already? Then you might want to look through the list of chemistry research topics we prepared for you. The level of difficulty varies, so there are plenty of chemistry research paper topics for graduates as well as high school students.

⚛️ 72 Chemistry Research Topics

• The connection between catalytic resonance theory and heterogeneous catalysts
• How are heterogeneous catalysts used in chemical manufacturing?
• Nanoparticles: what type of heterogeneous catalysts is used the most?
• Surface science: where noble metal aerogels are used?
• Fire in terms of chemistry and thermodynamics
• What affects electro catalytic phenomena in noble metal aerogels?
• How is the efficiency of electro catalytic reactions measured?
• Surface science: the phenomena of catalysis
• How can analyzing a platinum nanoparticle help understand the phenomena of catalysis?
• The most popular modern separation techniques
• The effects of chlorine exposure in the human body
• Analytical approach: how to understand which separation process you need?
• What might be the separation techniques of the future?
• Analytical chemistry: polymer dynamics and its characterization
• The connection between polymer dynamics and dynamic microstructure studies
• How is crystal growth studied in supramolecular solids?
• Designing models of chemical reactions of molecules at equilibrium positions
• Chemical biology: the synthesis of anti-cancer compounds
• What are the most recent methods of synthesizing natural products?
• Chemical biology: the methods of synthesizing small proteins
• How efficient is copying metalloprotein active sites?
• What are the significant differences between inorganic and synthetic organic chemistry?
• An overview of the newest approaches to conduction organelle analysis
• Studying enzymes : redox features and their applications
• What are the future bioactive nanomaterials, and do we have enough knowledge to create them?
• Neurochemistry: discoveries in brains via in situ hybridization
• How is fluorescence spectroscopy used to analyze membrane-bound proteins?
• The newest therapeutic agents found via in vitro selection
• What are the most effective techniques of proteomic analysis?
• Researching the proteins’ structure with the help of nuclear magnetic resonance
• How is DNA damaged, and how is it repaired?
• What is super-resolution microscopy mainly used for?
• The unsolved issues with electronic structure theory
• The ways to improve the accuracy of the Monte Carlo methods
• What are bio molecular modeling and simulations used for?
• How does temperature affect the chemical reactivity of matter?
• Electric solid propellants: a thermochemistry point of view
• The latest trends in the area of aquatic photochemistry
• Renewable feed stocks as the future of green chemistry
• Physical chemistry: where is scanning probe microscopy used?
• Where can biological machinery be applied?
• Chemical equation: how experiences do you need to be to conduct an experiment?
• Chemistry in agriculture: how are innovations helping to avoid pesticides?
• Solar energy and chemistry: how are nanoparticles synthesized and used?
• Energy and catalysis: organometallic compounds of mixed metals
• The process of creation of complexes similar to biological enzymes
• How is the molecular dynamics of carbon capture modeled?
• The process of the binding of polymer drugs
• The usage of the soft materials that were nanostructured
• How do biological systems influence polymers and toxicity?
• What are the main transport properties of polymer membranes?
• Polymer membranes: studying structure with the help of scattering
• Organic chemistry and natural products: is total synthesis better than partial?
• The latest trends in synthetic methods: an overview
• Studying the metabolic pathways of biosynthesis
• Solid-state chemistry: the approaches to analyze organic reactions
• Physical chemistry: the ions in the gas phase
• What are the main computer programs used in theoretical organic chemistry?
• Organic photochemistry and the ways it can be useful in everyday life
• What is the role of chemistry in the study of molecular electronics?
• The main differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis
• Green chemistry: how can CO2 be recycled into fuel?
• The art of molecular design in chemical synthesis
• How is the reactivity of natural nanoparticles studied?
• What is the reaction between acid and base during the neutralization reaction?
• What are the main approaches to study molecular polarity?
• The examples of chemical kinetics in real life
• How does substance abuse interfere with natural chemical processes in the human body?
• The importance of amino acids side chain
• What can change the outcome of the planned chemical reaction?
• Polypeptide field: the importance of amid bonds
• The unsolved secrets of the hydrophobic effect

🌎 Ecological Research: Environment & Climate Change

It is a special scientific research topic list. This one is for the lovers of our planet and for those who see their purpose in improving the environment. The carefully selected environmental science research topics can help you do that.

The ecological and environmental science research unites all the studies about the interconnection between living organisms and their environment. You might find many ecology research topics, as well as multiple climate change research topics.

However, since a lot of processes in the ecosystems can be quite slow, you should choose the field considering the time limits you have. But don’t worry, there are plenty of interesting environmental research paper topics for any kind of research you want to conduct!

☁️ 71 Environmental Science Research Topics

• How to differentiate arid from semi-arid land? 
• What are the approaches for converting arid lands into fertile lands? 
• Is the climate adaptation approach better than fighting climate change? 
• Renewable energy usage: advantages and disadvantages  
• How does the growing demand of consumption amongst humans affect the environment? 
• Climate adaptation: the methods that can be applied by megacities 
• Environmental pollution: effects on health  
• Forest management from the environmental sustainability perspective 
• Shark finning: causes, impact, and solutions  
• The species that conservation biology managed to save 
• Managing energy demand in Abu Dhabi: toward sustainable city  
• Why don’t conservation biology methods work sometimes? 
• Recycling materials & waste disposal  
• The application of AI in evaluating the conservation programs outcomes 
• Causes and effects of water pollution  
• The biggest struggles in the watershed management area 
• The environmental impact of bottled water  
• Eco hydrology and water management : a case study of Mojave Desert 
• Global climate change: causes and effects  
• The influence of the environmental changes in a small area on the plant’s ecosystem 
• The methods of predicting global environmental changes  
• Environmental studies of global warming: cause and mitigation  
• How does the human population affect the Canadian ecosystem? 
• The most recent developments in the area of environmental sustainability  
• The gifts of the ecosystem services: a case study of West Africa 
• Global environment communities  
• Fire ecology: should the wildlife fires be stopped or prevented? 
• What are the main benefits of wildlife fire for the environment? 
• Fisheries ecology: how is fish health managed? 
• Protection of the environment in the U.S. and the state of Hawaii  
• The best fisheries management ideas for tracking the age of fish 
• Geospatial science: what software is used for geospatial mapping? 
• The Amazon rainforest as an integral component of the environment  
• Geographic information systems and its benefits for geospatial science 
• What are molecular ecology methods used to study fungal diversity? 
• Mining as a cause of environmental disaster  
• Molecular ecology: a case study of multiple mating in ant colonies 
• Floods: stages, types, effects, and prevention 
• Global change management from the perspective of Environmental Science 
• Where do the invasive alien species come from? 
• Plastics recycling and recovery  
• Climate change and invasive species: a case study of mussels in Antarctica 
• Marine pollution in Australia  
• What are the most effective methods to control invasive species? 
• Oil drilling in the Arctic National Refuge  
• The future of the discovery of natural products  
• Soil ecology: what soil organisms affect plants directly? 
• Tree planting and climate change  
• Plant ecology: how do fungi help forests recover from fires? 
• Alternative energy sources  
• Population ecology: what is the purpose of insects which die after reproducing?
• Population ecology: how does the environment affect the type of species distribution? 
• What are the main approaches in rangeland restoration? 
• Why is the rangeland restoration so important for the future? 
• Remote sensing: the usage of data collected via infrared sensors 
• Geographic information system and remote sensing : compare and contrast 
• Can restoration ecology help save endangered species of animals? 
• Restoration ecology: the irreversible cases in the US 
• Where do natural resource management and social studies interconnect? 
• Natural resource management: is there a sustainable way to use fossils? 
• Wildlife ecology: why should the wildlife population be managed? 
• Wildlife ecology: the species that cause the most damage to humans 
• Why is the latest Great Barrier Reef bleaching worse than the previous ones? 
• The effects of stream pollution from mining on the aquatic life 
• Some species of insects can become extinct : is it a bad thing? 
• The threat to a local ecosystem that non native bees are carrying 
• Bacteria and fungi as the main future helpers in agriculture 
• Conventional vs. hydroponic farming  
• How does climate change affect the size of the fish? 
• The progressive spread of the drylands caused by climate change 

⛰️ Research in Geology

Contrary to popular belief, geology can be fun! You might ask yourself how fun an earth science can be… But this area actually includes much more than just studying the rocks.

Geologists are responsible for answering science research questions about mineral sources, earthquakes, volcanos, and even energy and climate change. They basically take care of society’s biggest natural problems.

In the area of geology, you can usually find quite easy scientific research topics. However, keep in mind that you might have to go out to the field and get muddy while doing most of your research.

We prepared an excellent list of geology research topics that can be useful for students with a major in geology who are working on their thesis.

🔷 45 Geology Research Topics

• How can analyzing seismic waves help understand the nature of earthquakes? 
• The main differences in studies in geology and astrogeology 
• What are the biggest challenges of applying geology principles to astrogeology? 
• How can the compression of wet sand be helpful in the construction field? 
• Glaciers melting and geological misconceptions  
• Environmental geology: the main methods of identifying the location of volcanic hazards 
• How did people adapt to living in geologically hazardous locations? 
• Formation and weathering of rocks  
• Weathering and erosion geology: when rocks turn into dust  
• What is the relationship between natural hazards and marine geology? 
• Marine geology: the importance of investigating the seafloor spreading 
• Coastal geology: hydraulic action and the influence of the types of rock on it 
• Landscape and the changes that it goes through  
• The dynamics of the Earth’s surface: the landscape-changing power of glaciers  
• Woodbury unique geological features  
• What forces below the surface make the Earth’s crust tilted? 
• The most stable building designs to survive earthquakes in Japan  
• Earthquakes: history and studies  
• The main methods to prevent the soil liquefaction 
• Avalanches, their nature and safety precautions  
• Saturated soil: what influences the transfer of force? 
• What role does the soil type play in conserving cast fossils? 
• Pros and cons of fluorite as a gemstone  
• The specifics of the conditions under which fossils are created 
• The correlation between the geological features and the location of coal reserves 
• The methods of mapping Earth’s magnetic fields patterns 
• How does water flow affect the environment? 
• Floods: stages, types, effects, and prevention  
• What is the role of soil in the Earth’s nitrogen biogeochemical cycle? 
• How does the pH level of water react to alkaline soil? 
• The latest technologies in measuring the speed of seismic waves 
• The process of radioisotope dating to find out the age of rocks 
• The development of the seismograph 
• The stages of the process of the geodes creation? 
• What geophysical conditions affect the growth of geodes? 
• The most effective methods of predicting landslides 
• What purposes is lichenometry dating used for? 
• The role of structural geology in gold mines development 
• Darcy’s Law and its relationship with the underwater flows 
• The forces that influence sedimentation: electromagnetism 
• Hematite matter and mineral  
• The soil structure and type vs. earthquakes: a comparative analysis 
• What are the main tools used in sedimentology nowadays? 
• Mountains: what forces can cause a change in the shape? 
• The methods of sustainable coal mining: geological perception 

🤓 Physics Research

Once again – a scientific subject that studies how our world works. However, just like other branches, it has its own specifics. Even though physics usually seems complicated, we gathered only simple science research topics for you!

Physics research might require a profound knowledge of the four fundamental concepts of physics. However, the good news is that this is the area where it is easy to find many qualitative and quantitative research topics about science.

Also, research is mostly based on conducting experiments, but most physics research topics in our list concern theoretical issues. Any of the ideas here can be used for your paper, so hurry up and look through all of them!

🌈 73 Physics Research Topics

• The unexpected uses of a magnifying glass in everyday life
• Why do different colors absorb radiant energy differently?
• How is balloon buoyancy used to launch satellites?
• How does the spinning affect the trajectory of the baseball ball?
• Frequency response : the usage of the 3dB bandwidth
• How is the frequency response of the speakers measured?
• The physics behind the retro-reflective strips
• The most effective material used for the retro-reflective strips
• Fluorescent yellow clothing vs. retro-reflective strips: what is safer to wear in the night?
• Magnetic levitation train: advantages and disadvantages
• The comparative analysis of the safety of the Japanese magnetic levitation train
• Why can’t the gauss rifle be used as a real firearm?
• Technologies inspired by the water strider that use surface tension
• What is the connection between the vacuum and sound intensity?
• Friction physics: the secret behind the inseparable interleaved books
• The important role of centripetal force that keeps tornado going
• The physics of the balance: how to find a balance point?
• Will it be possible to use a radiometer to produce electricity in the future?
• Radiometer: the power of light intensity that affects the speed
• Animals that use the acceleration of gravity for their benefit
• Falling object acceleration: the correlation between distance and time
• What is the role of gravity in the speed of the rolling object?
• How important is the hang time of the ball in soccer?
• The physics that help forensic science analyze blood patterns
• Acoustic absorption: what types of foam are the most effective?
• The acoustic foam and different sound frequency
• Magnetic induction and the future of wireless charging
• The physics behind the yo-yo sleep time: string length matters
• How does the temperature influence a magnet?
• Projectile motion and basketball: dunk explained
• Granular materials and why they flow like liquids
• Why does the conversion between potential energy and kinetic energy work both ways?
• Augmented reality glasses and refractive index
• Tumbling: where is it used for separating granular materials?
• How did we come up with hula-hoop, and how does it work?
• The conditions that affect the rebound height
• Why is it not possible to predict radioactive decay?
• The light effect that helps understand the atomic composition of stars
• Ice skating : how does temperature affect the friction?
• Variations in the motor: how to boost the rocket’s performance?
• What is the interaction between magnetic and ferromagnetic materials?
• What type of stealth technology is more effective?
• Stealth technology: the shape that interferes the radar signals
• Finding the optimal number of magnetic breaks for a magnetic levitation train
• How can the phenomenon of supercooling be used for storing transplant organs?
• James Webb Space Telescope: the important role of solar shields
• How does temperature affect the level of the background radiation?
• Plasma physics: can controlled fusion be a source of electricity?
• Quantum theory and atomic clocks: the secret of precision
• The current trends of engineering physics: photovoltaics
• Econophysics: where economic problems are solved by physics
• Where can the nanoscale materials be applied?
• The properties of condensed-matter: a qualitative analysis
• Isaac Newton: scientific contributions
• Optical sensors: the benefits of the superconducting quantum devices
• Thermoelectric: the future of sustainable sources of energy
• Teleportation: physics of the impossible
• What are the best materials for photovoltaics?
• Biophysics: what tools are used to study macromolecules?
• The Paradoxical effects of time travel
• How is the study of microfluidics applied in agriculture?
• The newest fluid control techniques in micro fluid devices
• The application of the properties of the particles of light
• What do we lack to build a space elevator?
• How effective is laser cleaning from the perspective of archeology?
• Astrophysics: the biggest issues with moving quasars
• Can remote sensing be used to warn people with asthmatic problems?
• Where can electron beam welding be applied?
• How can physics help develop methods to close the ozone hole ?
• Solar cells: silicon for the increased efficiency
• What parts of the universe are not on the electromagnetic spectrum?
• What are the causes of the heat death of the universe?
• The connection between elusive particles and antiparticles

🔝 Top 20 Big Science Research Questions

• What are other possible ways of using our Sun as the source of energy ? It is definitely not an easy one, but among all science research ideas, it is the most promising. For instance, a nuclear fusion machine might be able to produce enough energy for everybody! 
• Can we get rid of all the carbon dioxide? Since we were releasing it by burning fuels, we need to think about how to hide it back as well. And we have to solve this issue before climate change causes catastrophic damage. 
• Is there a possibility of the other universes’ existence? Of course, our universe is unique, but it seems like scientists are getting more and more excited about the idea of a “ multiverse .” 
• Why are there uneven parts of matter and antimatter? A mind-blowing question which should not belong to the list of simple science research topics, just as we shouldn’t belong here! But why are we still here when there is antimatter? 
• What role does dreaming play? It might be a great question to create your own theory for a biology or psychology project. Most people had wondered why they were dreaming. What if dreams are essential for normal brain development? 
• How can the nature of consciousness be explained? No one even knows what consciousness is in the first place… But we do know that computers have not become conscious… yet. 
• How do we prove that we are humans? Only 1% of the genome is what makes us different from a chimpanzee. So what qualities make us rule this world? 
• Are there other life forms in the universe? Some qualitative research topics about science may be leading to the answer. Now scientists have the tools to find habitable planets. 
• What caused the creation of life? Some chemicals in the primordial soup made love and created the first life on our planet. But how did it happen? 
• What is the composition of the universe? So, lets’ see… We only know 5% percent of what everything is made of. Dark energy was only discovered 22 years ago! 
• Will people be able to time travel? Astronauts are real time-travelers since the time on the International Space Station is slower. We’ll see if we can actually travel thousands of years in the future one day. 
• How can we manage the growing population needs ? The population of people is growing each year, and our demands are growing too. However, it might not be as easy as we think. Countries might have to join their forces to battle this issue! 
• Can we stop aging ? We grow old and die, but the Vedas, Indian religious texts, say that we don’t have to. The state of perfect health may be maintained indefinitely. However, science has little to comment on it. 
• Where is the lowest point of the black hole? Unfortunately, scientists don’t even have the proper tools to check it. Therefore, the answer is only different theories on paper. 
• What is on the ocean floor? The bottom of the ocean is as unknown as outer space. 95% about it is unveiled. For now, we can only send drones to the deepest parts, but it’s not nearly enough to understand everything… 
• When will robots be available as servants? Robots can already do many tasks, like serving drinks and even milking cows. The only question is when they will be functional enough to be personal assistants? 
• Will it be possible to cure cancer ? One day it may be possible but not in the foreseeable future for sure… Is it easier to change our lifestyles and prevent cancer than treat it later? 
• How fast can computers become? We have been witnessing the continuous development of computers. But how much faster can they become in the future? 
• What are the ways to kill bacteria? Drug-resistant bacteria are a big threat, and the common antibiotic is not enough. Scientists are working on discovering new antibiotics. 
• How to solve the mystery of the prime numbers? Prime numbers are widely used for encryption , thanks to their weirdness. But don’t rush to solve this mystery, we don’t know if the internet will remain safe after that! 

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Great lists, thanks for sharing such nice titles.

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The life aquatic: A game changer for frog vision, but little difference between night and day

Frogs display a remarkable diversity of species as a whole, but does the same hold true for their visual abilities? A new study led by York's Faculty of Science sought to answer this question by collaborating with researchers in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, French Guiana, Gabon, Seychelles, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States, to get a sample of a diverse array of frogs to study the visual pigments found in their eyes.

"Through this large international collaborative effort, we were able to study the pigments of frogs from all over the world who have adapted to myriad environments, and for the most part, we found this diversity is 'reflected' in the pigments in frogs' eyes," says research lead and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology Ryan Schott.

"We saw this pattern of visual evolution being driven by differences in species that are either aquatic as adults, or that are living on the ground, or trees. On the other hand, we didn't find much of a difference with the small groups of frogs that have adapted to daytime conditions as opposed to their nocturnal cousins."

The study, published today in Molecular Biology and Evolution , examined the frog visual system by looking at the visual pigments and other genes in the eyes of a diverse selection of frogs living in vastly different light environments. Visual pigments are the molecules in the photoreceptor cells of the retina that are responsible for detecting light and then sending signals to the brain to perceive that light.

"We humans, as well as many animals, have these pigments in our eyes that actually absorb and respond to light," explains Schott, also with the Centre for Vision Research at York and former research associate with the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. "It's the differences in these pigments that allow us to see at night versus in the day, and allow us to perceive colour differences. So, we were interested in how these pigments have evolved in these frogs in different light environments."

Schott, who studies the visual system of vertebrates in his lab located at York's Keele Campus, has previously looked at vision changes of southern leopard frogs as they metamorphose from aquatic tadpoles to frogs living on land, and found a lot of differences. However, the lack of difference between the diurnal and nocturnal frogs came as a surprise. While it is possible that differences were not captured in the method of research, Schott says their evolutionary heritage may provide an alternate explanation.

"Most frogs are nocturnal, and so ancestrally, they really have this visual system that's adapted to these nocturnal environments," he says. "This is probably suggesting that even the diurnal animals need these adaptations to survive because of course, they could say, get woken up in the night by a predator and then need to use their visual system to escape."

• Frogs and Reptiles
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biodiversity
• Exotic Species
• Chytridiomycota
• American Mink
• Raining animals
• Frog zoology

Story Source:

Materials provided by York University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Ryan K Schott, Matthew K Fujita, Jeffrey W Streicher, David J Gower, Kate N Thomas, Ellis R Loew, Abraham G Bamba Kaya, Gabriela B Bittencourt-Silva, C Guillherme Becker, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Simon Clulow, Mateo Davila, Thomas J Firneno, Célio F B Haddad, Sunita Janssenswillen, Jim Labisko, Simon T Maddock, Michael Mahony, Renato A Martins, Christopher J Michaels, Nicola J Mitchell, Daniel M Portik, Ivan Prates, Kim Roelants, Corey Roelke, Elie Tobi, Maya Woolfolk, Rayna C Bell. Diversity and Evolution of Frog Visual Opsins: Spectral Tuning and Adaptation to Distinct Light Environments . Molecular Biology and Evolution , 2024; 41 (4) DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae049

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