Step 2: Write Research Questions
Once you've identified and analyzed your information gaps, the next step in
phase 2 is to write research questions. Research questions are broad questions which, once answered, will
fill your gaps and inform decisions about your program. Research questions are
not questions that you would directly ask your target audience. They may be more
general in nature or include concepts that wouldn't be understood by the target
audience. If you start identifying questions that would belong on a survey
instrument or focus group moderator's guide, put them aside. They may be helpful
once you begin developing an instrument.
Research questions help to define the purpose of your formative research. The more clearly you can articulate your research
questions, the easier it will be to develop a survey, focus group moderator's
guide, or interview questions because your purpose is clear. Questions in those
documents should be clearly connected to a research question that underlies your
formative research.
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