Sandberg, J., & Alvesson, M. (2011). Ways of constructing research questions: Gap-spotting or problematization?

This article is based on an empirical study about how research questions in the research practice in organization studies are formulated, where such questions come from and which aims are driving the selection and formulation of research questions. It also addresses the role of the existing literature in this context. This can give advice for developing one’s own research question.

Sandberg, J., & Alvesson, M. (2011). Ways of constructing research questions: Gap-spotting or problematization? Organization, 18(1), 23–44.

O’Brien, M. J., and DeSisto, M. C. (2013) Every Study Begins With a Query: How to Present a Clear Research Question

In this article, the role and development of research questions are discussed on the basis of empirical knowledge about a target group (school nurses intending to do research). Sources of research questions are discussed as well as tips and recommendations given about how to formulate a research question. The process of formulating and refining research questions is outlined for examples of good and not so good questions. A summary and a description of workshops in which research questions are developed at the end of the article.

O’Brien, M. J., and DeSisto, M. C. (2013) ‘Every Study Begins With a Query: How to Present a Clear Research Question,’ NASN School Nurse, 28(2), 83–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602X12475094