Developing qualitative research questions: A reflective process
Open accessAbstract
The reflective and interrogative processes required for developing effective qualitative research questions can give shape and direction to a study in ways that are often underestimated. Good research questions do not necessarily produce good research, but poorly conceived or constructed questions will likely create problems that affect all subsequent stages of a study. In qualitative studies, the ongoing process of questioning is an integral part of understanding the unfolding lives and perspectives of others. This article addresses both the development of initial research questions and how the processes of generating and refining questions are critical to the shaping of a qualitative study.
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Developing a FINER research question is critical to study rigor and quality.
“Developing a FINER research question is critical to study rigor and quality and should not be rushed, as all other aspects of research design depend on the focus and clarity of the research question(s) guiding the study.15”
From A Review of the Quality Indicators of Rigor in Qualitative Research (2020) · cites this paper as [15]
The Abstract says poorly constructed questions can affect all subsequent stages of a study, and the Conclusion says good qualitative questions shape study design and analysis. The paper supports careful development of research questions, but these passages do not establish the specific FINER framework named in the claim. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredDeveloping and refining a primary research question focused on both the phenomena of interest and the context in which it is situated is essential to research rigor and quality.
“Developing and refining a primary research question focused on both the phenomena of interest and the context in which it is situated is essential to research rigor and quality.”
From A Review of the Quality Indicators of Rigor in Qualitative Research (2020) · cites this paper as [15]
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A Review of the Quality Indicators of Rigor in Qualitative Research
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“Developing a FINER research question is critical to study rigor and quality and should not be rushed, as all other aspects of research design depend on the focus and clarity of the research question(s) guiding the study.(15) Agee provides clear and worthwhile additional guidance for developing qualitative research que…”
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- Authors
- Agee, J.
- Affiliations
- State University of New York (US)
- Corresponding author
- Agee, Jane
- Venue
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-07
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 431-447
- ISSN
- 0951-8398 (ISSN-L)
- 1366-5898
- OpenAlex
- W2007254456
- Semantic Scholar
- 6e409cbb996c19f4f42840e0de17242dceaf4260
- Cited by
- 704
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 39 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 79 · 2022: 83 · 2021: 90 · 2020: 75 · 2019: 82 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 9.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Education › Educational Research and Methods
- Keywords
- research question formulation, qualitative research design, reflective practice
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