Research Question Examples Across Different Academic Fields

By Christopher Smith Jun 28, 2025

So, your teacher just assigned a research paper and said the first step is to “develop a research question.” If that phrase makes your mind go blank, you are not alone! It can sound complicated and intimidating.

But what if you thought about it this way? Imagine you’re a detective. Before you can solve a case, you need to know the central question you’re trying to answer. "Who stole the jewels?" or "How did the thief get past the guards?"

A research question is just like that. It’s the one big, guiding question that your entire paper will be dedicated to answering. It’s the mystery you are going to solve. A great question is the most important tool you have, and this guide will show you how to create one.

We’ll start with the simple rules for what makes a good question, and then we'll look at lots of examples from different school subjects to help you get inspired.

The Simple Rules of a Great Research Question

A strong research question acts like a compass for your paper. It keeps you focused and prevents you from getting lost in a sea of information. Here’s what all the best research questions have in common, explained simply.

It’s Focused, Not Broad. A research question needs to be specific. A broad question is impossible to answer in one paper.
- Too Broad: What is the effect of social media on people?
- Focused and Good: What is the effect of daily Instagram use on the self-esteem of girls between the ages of 13 and 16?
It’s Arguable, Not a Simple Fact. The answer shouldn't be something you can find in a single sentence in a book. It needs to be a topic that people might have different opinions on.
- A Simple Fact: What year did the American Civil War end? (This has one simple answer: 1865).
- Arguable and Good: What were the most important economic factors that caused the American Civil War? (This requires you to analyze different factors and build an argument).
It’s Not a “Yes” or “No” Question. A good question opens up a conversation. It should start with words like “How,” “Why,” or “What is the impact of…”
- A Yes/No Question: Did Abraham Lincoln write the Gettysburg Address? (The answer is just "yes").
- Open-Ended and Good: How did the Gettysburg Address influence the way Americans thought about the Civil War?

Getting this right from the start is the key to a strong paper. A good question is what leads to a strong thesis, and it helps you avoid the common mistakes that cause thesis statements to fail.

Research Question Examples from Different Subjects

Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to see it in action. Here are examples from different academic fields to show you what a research question can look like.

Examples for Humanities (History, English, Art)

Humanities questions often explore why and how human culture, ideas, and stories have developed.

History: How did the development of the railroad in the 19th-century United States change the country's economy and westward expansion?
English Literature: In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, how does the author use the character of Atticus Finch to explore themes of justice and morality?
Art History: How did the invention of the camera in the 1800s change the style and purpose of portrait painting?

Examples for Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Politics)

Social science questions look at how humans behave in groups and societies.

Psychology: What is the impact of getting at least 30 minutes of daily exercise on the stress levels of first-year college students?
Sociology: How do community gardens in low-income neighborhoods affect social connections among residents?
Political Science: What is the role of live television debates in shaping voter opinions during a presidential election?

Examples for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

STEM questions focus on observing, measuring, and explaining the natural and technological world. These often lead to experiments or data analysis, which is why it's good to know how to write a lab report.

Biology: What is the effect of common household detergents on the growth rate of freshwater plants in a controlled environment?
Environmental Science: How has the increase in single-use plastic consumption over the past 20 years impacted sea turtle populations in the Pacific Ocean?
Computer Science: What are the most effective methods for a smartphone app to teach a new language to adult learners?
Data Science: Using public health data, what is the correlation between urban green spaces (parks) and the respiratory health of residents? For more on this, you might explore data science assignment help for AI & ML projects.

Examples for Health Sciences (Nursing, Public Health, Nutrition)

Health science questions aim to improve human health and wellness.

Public Health: What is the relationship between the availability of healthy food options in school cafeterias and students' overall academic performance?
Nursing: In a hospital setting, what are the most effective communication strategies for nurses to reduce anxiety in patients before surgery?
Nutrition: How does a breakfast high in protein, compared to one high in carbohydrates, affect a student's ability to focus in morning classes?

How to Create Your Own Research Question: A 4-Step Guide

Ready to try making your own? You don’t have to wait for a perfect idea to magically appear. Just follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Choose a Broad Topic You Care About

You're going to spend a lot of time with this topic, so pick something that genuinely interests you. It could be anything!

Example: Let's say you're interested in video games.

Step 2: Do Some Quick, Early Reading

You can’t ask a good question about something you know nothing about. Spend an hour reading a few articles or watching a couple of videos about your topic. Look for debates, problems, or interesting facts.

Example: You read an article about how some people worry video games are too addictive. The idea of "addiction" seems interesting.

Step 3: Ask "How" and "Why" Questions

Now, start asking open-ended questions about that smaller part of the topic. Just list as many as you can think of.

Example Questions:
- Why are some video games more addictive than others?
- How do video games affect players' social lives?
- What is the effect of competitive gaming on players' mental health?

Step 4: Focus and Refine Your Question

Pick the question you like best and make it more specific using the rules we talked about earlier. Add details like a specific group of people, a specific place, or a specific time frame.

Example Refinement:
- Let's take: How do video games affect players' social lives? (A little broad).
- Let's focus on a specific type of game and a specific outcome.
- Final Research Question: How do massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) like World of Warcraft affect the development of social skills in teenagers?

See how that final question is focused, arguable, and not a yes/no question? That’s your goal! If you're looking for more ideas to start with, you could browse a list of 100 research paper topics for every subject.

Your Compass for a Great Paper

A research question is one of the first things you’ll create for your paper, and it’s one of the most important. It guides your research, shapes your argument, and gives your entire paper a clear purpose.

Don't worry if your first try isn't perfect. Great questions often come after a bit of reading and thinking. The process of refining your question is actually the beginning of the research itself!

So, get curious. Pick a topic that makes you want to learn more, and start asking questions. The journey to a high-scoring college research paper doesn't start with having all the answers, it starts with asking one great question.