A strong research question is the backbone of any successful study. It shapes your literature review, guides your methodology, and determines the kind of conclusions you can draw. When the question is vague or weak, the entire project struggles.
At AB Journals, we recommend using the CFCCA framework to craft a question that stands out: Clear, Focused, Concise, Complex, and Arguable.
The CFCCA Framework
Clear: Your question should be easy to understand at first reading. Avoid jargon and ambiguous terms.
Weak: How does technology affect people?
Clearer: How does smartphone usage affect sleep quality among university students in New York?
Focused: A good research question is specific enough to be answered within the limits of your time, data and word count.
Too broad: What are the effects of social media on education?
Focused: How does daily use of WhatsApp groups influence class participation among senior secondary school students?
Concise: Long, multi-part questions can confuse readers and examiners. Aim for one main idea, expressed in one sentence.
Complex: If your question can be answered with “yes” or “no”, it is not yet a research question. Strong questions require analysis, explanation or interpretation.
Weak: Does exercise improve health?
Complex: How does moderate exercise three times a week influence blood pressure among adults aged 40–60?
Arguable: There should be room for debate. If everyone already agrees on the answer, the question will not contribute much to knowledge.
Use “How” and “Why” Questions
Once you have a topic, start exploring it through “how” and “why” questions:
Why do some undergraduates delay their final-year projects?
How do supervisor feedback styles affect thesis completion rates?
These forms push you to look for explanations and mechanisms, not just descriptions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Questions that simply describe a situation (“What is the rate of…?”) without exploring causes or consequences.
Questions that are too wide for your resources.
Questions that don’t clearly identify a population, context or key concept.
Every successful paper begins with a solid question. Take time to refine yours before you rush into data collection.
