What is research question?

Explain the concept of

a. what question

b. why question and

c. how question; with relevant examples

A research question is 'a question that a research project sets out to answer'.

The ‘why’ question addresses the rationale and objectives of the study.

The ‘what’ question addresses the issue of a statement of the problem,

including the key variables.

The ‘how’ question seeks to know the methodology to be followed, including

the research design and sampling strategy to be employed.

What is research objective? What are its different types?

A research objective addresses the purpose of the investigation and types of knowledge to be
generated out of one’s investigation. Looking at the objectives of the research, one can
anticipate what is to be achieved by the study. A research objective indicates the population of
interest, the independent variable, and the dependent variable.

The general objective of a study states what is expected to be achieved by the study in general
terms.

Similarly, in a study on anemia in pregnancy, the general objective could be stated as:

 To study the changes in the hemoglobin level with an increase in the duration of
pregnancy.

 Given that we have rightly stated the general objectives, it is advisable to break it down
into several smaller, logically connected parts. These are normally referred to as specific
objectives.
 Specific objectives should systematically address the various aspects of the problems
defined under the statement of the problem and the key factors that are assumed to
influence or cause the problems.
 They should specify what you will do in your study, where this study will be done, and for
what purpose.
 Thus in the anemia survey, just cited above, the specific objectives could be

 To determine through history, the duration of pregnancy, parity and the last birth
interval of pregnant women in the study;

 To assess hemoglobin level of the pregnant women using Sahli’s method;

 To determine the changes in hemoglobin level with the duration of pregnancy,

controlling for birth and parity.

Does it always necessary to have research hypothesis in study? What are the different forms of
research hypothesis?

An hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. It describes in concrete (rather than

theoretical) terms what you expect will happen in your study. Not all studies have
hypotheses. Sometimes a study is designed to be exploratory (see inductive research ).
There is no formal hypothesis, and perhaps the purpose of the study is to explore some
area more thoroughly in order to develop some specific hypothesis or prediction that can be
tested in future research. A single study may have one or many hypotheses.

What is research problem? How does a research problem differ from a non-research problem? Illustrate
with examples.
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in
practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation.