Research Question Checklist: Ensuring Valid and Answerable Questions

This assignment requires students to carefully evaluate their research question using a provided checklist. The checklist ensures that the question is relevant, answerable, and well-articulated, with minimal bias and unchecked assumptions. Students must also consider potential ethics problems and resource constraints when answering their question. This exercise helps students develop critical thinking skills and prepares them for real-world research challenges.

Research Question (RQ) Checklist:
Key attribute Yes/No Explanation(s)
Is my RQ something that I am curious
about and that others might care about?
- Will the question hold my
interest?
- Does my RQ put a new spin on an
old issue, or does it try to solve a
problem?
- Can I manage any potential biases
I may have?
Yes This is because it will help other
companies to engage in sustainable
development practices. It will be useful in
solving issue.
Does it present an issue on which I can
take a stand?
- If you are making an argument,
what will you say?
- Why does your argument matter?
- It will point you towards the
theory you need to explore, the
literature you need to review, the
data you need to gather, the
methods you need to use… and to
some sort of answer.
Yes It is because sustainability has become an
integral part of society. The company is
responsible to utilize resource in effective
way. this topic will show how several
practices can be followed in sustainable
development.
Is my RQ researchable…, or, is my RQ
complex enough?
- Is neither too broad nor too
narrow
- RQ should not have a simple
yes/no answer and should require
research and analysis
No The research question is complex as it
focuses on broad area. Also, it requires in
depth analysis of data and information.
Is the question well articulated? Is my
RQ measurable?
- Are the terms well-defined?
- Are there any unchecked
assumptions implicit in my
question?
- Can I find actual data to support
or contradict a position?
No It will be a little bit difficult to measure
data and information collected. It is
because there are no such factors
included on basis of which data is
analyzed.
Is answering my question doable? Yes The questions are easily answerable by

- How will I go about answering my
question? What sources will have
the type of information that I
need to answer my RQ (journals,
books, internet resources,
government documents,
interviews with people)?
- Is the information I will need to
answer my question actually
collectable given the resources
available at my location?
- Will I be able to get it all done
within my time constraints?
- Are the costs likely to exceed my
budget?
- Are there any potential ethics
problems?
collecting data and information from
various sources. with this, research
questions can be easily answered within
time frame. There will occur some ethical
problems.