Information Literacy: 1. The research question: Main & Sub-questions

The main research question is the question that your thesis is intended to answer. 

Main questions are generally broken down into sub-questions that enable you to tackle your research in a more step-by-step manner. Together your findings for these components will provide an answer to the main question.

What characterizes a good main question?

• The question is clear.
  The concepts in the question are also clear. With a vague question you will lose focus
• The question is specific.
  After all, you want to be able to search specifically. With a too general, broad, poorly defined question you will soon get lost in a slew of information
• The question is relevant.
  The answer to the question must therefore contribute directly to the solution of your "information problem" and the achievement of your objective.
• The question is "open". So it is not a question to which only "yes" or "no" can be the answer
• The question is realistic. It is possible to find an answer within the time available and with sufficient resources

Consider:

• If it is possible to find an answer within the available time
• If there are sufficient means to find the answer

Keep in mind:

You can only search in a focused and effective manner if it is exactly clear as to what it is you want to know. So formulate a specific question that gives direction to your search process.

Once you have formulated your main research question, you should focus on identifying the sub-questions that will enable you to answer it.

What is Airbnb's influence on the hotel industry?

Possible sub-questions:

• What is Airbnb?
• How does the hotel market work?
• How does the consumer respond to the price / quality ratio of Airbnb versus hotels?

Sometimes you can further specify the sub-questions to search queries. Search queries are aspects of sub-questions. They view the subject from different angles. For example, in the sub-question "What is Airbnb?" you could think of the following search queries:

• What is the history of Airbnb?
• is there also an Airbnb for the business market?