How to Formulate a Viable Research Question

Introduction

The research question is the foundation of any doctoral project. It shapes the scope of inquiry, determines the methods employed, and signals to the scholarly community the intellectual problem the dissertation intends to address. A poorly framed research question leads to vague, unfocused, or trivial work; a well-formulated question, by contrast, sets the stage for originality, rigor, and contribution—the hallmarks of doctoral research explored in the previous lesson.

In this article, we will examine the nature of research questions at the doctoral level. We will explore what makes a question viable, how to refine a broad area of interest into a precise inquiry, and how theological and biblical studies present unique challenges for framing research. Along the way, we will engage the historical development of research design, reflect on biblical texts that model the value of thoughtful inquiry, and draw on case studies of influential dissertations. By the end, students should not only understand what constitutes a viable research question but also begin crafting questions that could guide their own doctoral work.

The Nature of a Research Question

Defining a Research Question

A research question is more than a topic; it is a focused, investigable problem. For instance, “Paul’s theology of grace” is a topic—vast, diffuse, and unmanageable. A research question narrows and specifies: “How does Paul’s use of the Greek term charis in Romans 5–8 reflect and reshape the cultural patronage system of the Greco-Roman world?” Unlike a topic, a question demands an answer and provides the framework for sustained investigation.

Theological Significance of Questions

Scripture itself demonstrates the value of questions. Jesus often employed questions to provoke thought and deepen understanding: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). In Acts, the Ethiopian eunuch’s question—“How can I [understand], unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31)—became the starting point for Philip’s exposition of Isaiah. In the same way, doctoral research begins with a well-framed question that opens space for exploration, guidance, and discovery.

Characteristics of a Viable Research Question

Clarity

A viable research question must be clear, free from ambiguity. Clarity involves precise terminology, careful delineation of scope, and avoidance of vague or undefined concepts. Ambiguity at the outset leads to confusion in methodology and argumentation.

Focus

Doctoral questions must be tightly focused. While undergraduate essays may entertain broad themes, dissertations succeed only when they pursue narrow inquiries with depth. The paradox of doctoral study is that the narrower the question, the more significant the potential contribution.

Feasibility

A question must be feasible within the constraints of time, resources, and expertise. For instance, a dissertation cannot resolve every issue in Pauline theology, but it might make a meaningful contribution by analyzing Paul’s rhetorical use of kinship metaphors in Galatians. Feasibility ensures that the research remains manageable and completable.

Originality

The question must also be original. This does not mean it addresses something never before discussed, but that it offers a fresh angle or approach. Originality might emerge through comparison (e.g., examining the reception of Paul’s letters in Syriac Christianity), through method (e.g., using digital humanities tools to analyze intertextuality), or through application (e.g., how Pauline ethics inform contemporary debates on justice).

The Potential for Contribution

Finally, a viable research question must signal contribution. It should matter not only to the researcher but also to the broader scholarly community. Contribution is measured by whether the question engages a gap in the literature, addresses a contested issue, or opens new pathways for inquiry.

Historical Development of Research Design

Early Models

In medieval and early modern universities, research questions were often framed within disputations: formal exercises where scholars debated theological or philosophical propositions. These questions were highly structured, often scholastic in nature: “Whether divine grace is infused or imputed?”

Enlightenment and Modern Period

With the rise of Enlightenment rationalism, research questions became increasingly empirical and investigatory. German universities in the nineteenth century institutionalized the dissertation as a formal demonstration of a scholar’s ability to pose and address a significant question in a rigorous way.

Contemporary Biblical Studies

Today, research questions in Biblical Studies often integrate multiple dimensions: philological precision, historical context, theological significance, and contemporary relevance. Questions are expected to demonstrate not only disciplinary expertise but also awareness of interdisciplinary and global conversations.

Practical Steps for Formulating Research Questions

Step 1: Identify a Broad Area of Interest

Begin with an area that deeply engages your curiosity—perhaps Pauline theology, prophetic literature, or early Christian reception history.

Step 2: Review the Literature

Survey secondary scholarship to identify what has already been said and where gaps remain. A viable question often emerges from noticing what is missing or contested.

Step 3: Narrow the Focus

Refine the broad topic into a specific text, theme, or methodological approach. Move from “prophetic literature” to “imagery of the vineyard in Isaiah 5.”

Step 4: Frame as a Question

Transform the topic into a question that demands exploration: “How does Isaiah 5’s vineyard song reflect and critique ancient Near Eastern treaty curses?”

Step 5: Test for Viability

Ask: Is it clear? Focused? Feasible? Original? Does it have potential contribution? If not, refine further until all criteria are met.

Case Studies of Effective Research Questions

Example 1: James D. G. Dunn

Dunn’s dissertation asked: What is the theology of baptism in the New Testament? This was both clear and focused, and it made a significant contribution by reframing debates about baptism in relation to Spirit and faith.

Example 2: Beverly Gaventa

Beverly Gaventa’s work on Paul posed the question: How does Paul’s maternal imagery in Galatians shape his apostolic authority? This question demonstrated originality, methodological rigor, and clear contribution to Pauline studies.

Assignments

1. Drafting Exercise: Write three possible research questions in your area of interest. For each, explain in 500 words how it meets (or fails to meet) the criteria of clarity, focus, feasibility, originality, and contribution.

2. Literature Gap Analysis (2,000 words): Choose a subfield of Biblical Studies. Survey five recent monographs or dissertations, identify the questions they address, and highlight gaps or unresolved issues that suggest viable research questions.

3. Exegetical Reflection: Select a biblical text where a key question drives interpretation (e.g., Job’s question, “Why do the righteous suffer?”). Reflect in 1,500 words on how this biblical model of inquiry informs your own approach to research questions.

Conclusion

The research question is not merely a starting point but the compass of the entire doctoral journey. A well-crafted question clarifies the scope of inquiry, ensures feasibility, signals originality, and promises contribution. For students in Biblical Studies and theology, the research question is also a theological act: a way of seeking truth, discerning wisdom, and participating in the ongoing task of interpretation. As you embark on doctoral study, let your questions be both precise and profound, grounded in rigorous scholarship and animated by the pursuit of truth for the sake of both academy and church.

References

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The craft of research (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE.

Dunn, J. D. G. (1970). Baptism in the Holy Spirit. SCM Press.

Gaventa, B. R. (2007). Our mother Saint Paul. Westminster John Knox.

Phillips, E. M., & Pugh, D. S. (2010). How to get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors (5th ed.). Open University Press.

Punch, K. F., & Oancea, A. (2014). Introduction to research methods in education (2nd ed.). SAGE.

Swetnam, D., & Swetnam, R. (2009). Writing your dissertation: The bestselling guide to planning, preparing and presenting first-class work (3rd ed.). How To Books.