What is the purpose of a research question?

The purpose of a research question is to guide the direction of the study. A well-formulated research question helps to clarify the focus of the research, providing a framework for identifying the objectives, methodology, and scope of the investigation. It serves as the foundational element that informs the design of the study, shapes data collection strategies, and determines how the analysis will be conducted. This guiding role is crucial as it steers the researcher towards specific inquiries and ensures that the investigation remains targeted on relevant aspects of the topic being explored. In contrast, summarizing findings, identifying potential participants, and estimating research duration are important aspects of a research project, but they fall under different functions of the research process. Each of those facets relies on the clarity provided by a well-defined research question to effectively align with the overall study goals.