The Question Formulation Technique for Research (QFT-R) is an adaptation of the Question Formulation Technique, specifically designed for individuals to formulate their research questions.
The QFT-R provides graduate students, doctoral candidates, post-doctoral researchers, faculty, and others with a structured method for generating and improving research questions. It can also be used at the undergraduate level or in other settings.
Developing an actionable research question is a central activity for propelling dissertation research, crafting grant applications, and expanding the frontiers of knowledge.
However, most graduate students enter research programs without rigorous strategies for developing research questions. A 2016 study by Alison Head, of more than 1,600 students across 10 colleges, found that only 27% of college graduates believed they had learned how to ask questions in college.
The QFT-R provides researchers with:
- A specific strategy for developing better research questions.
- Skills for honing and improving research questions.
- Confidence in their ability to ask research questions.
On this page are some worksheets and resources for using the QFT-R.
Read
Andrew P. Minigan, Ed.D., who developed the QFT-R, discusses a National Science Foundation grant-funded study into the method, conducted in partnership with Brandeis University. He includes some of his personal reflections.