Developing My Research Questions

Developing My Research Questions

Research questions are important to explain how to conduct my study including my research design and methods.  Research questions should also connect to the purpose and conceptual framework of my research (Creswell, 2007).  Especially, in a qualitative study, well-constructed and focused research questions can accomplish “the result of an interactive design process, rather than being the starting point for developing a design” (Maxwell, 2013, p. 73).  As some caution for developing qualitative research questions, Maxwell (2013) suggests that research question should neither be too general nor be too focused (specific).  Unexamined assumptions should not be imposed into the research question.  With this advice, I formed my research questions.

The purpose of my qualitative study is to increase our understanding of the student success of Korean international students attending a Protestant theological seminary in the United States.  The study will include the perceptions of Korean students as to how they view student success. 

The central question of my study is to understand how Korean international students studying at a Protestant theological seminary in the United States view success along with three sub-questions; a) how do Korean international seminary students define students success?, b) how do they describe their experience with institutional services as related to their success?, and c) how do they describe how they contributed to their own students success? 

On the basis of this central question of my research, I have made my research protocol.

1.     Is there any (specific) reason to study abroad in America?

2.     Could you tell me an image of success (or failure) of an international student in your mind?  

      Why does this image come up in your mind?

3.     What do you think about yourself?  Are you a successful international student or not? Why? 

4.     What do you think about the international student support system of your school 

      (including international student services office, students affairs office, and academic advising and 

      student financial office)?

      * Do you remember when your school supported your needs? Why do you remember this (critical 

       factors)? 

       (If yes) What supports did you receive from your school? 

       (If not) What did your school not meet your needs?

5.     Is achieving good grades and degree completion important to you? 

      (If yes) Why? 

      (If no) Is there anything more important to you? Why?

6.     What are you doing for the success as you define it?

7.     If you do not achieve your degree completion, or do not find a (good) job after you graduate, 

      how would you feel?

Through these interview questions, I hope for the international students to find their own hope and purpose through their unique experiences in America.