Writing Homework Help

This example illustrates how the research question guides the investigation. A well-stated research question contains information about:

• The population (full-time students at Seattle Central).
• The information we will collect from each individual in the sample. We also call this the variable. The variable is what we plan to measure (amount of money spent on textbooks per semester).
• A numerical characteristic about the population related to this variable (the average amount of money spent on textbooks per semester).

Common Types of Research Questions About a Population

Here are some common types of research questions about a population:

Types of research questions with examples

Type of Research Question	Examples
Make an estimate about the population (often an estimate about an average value or a proportion with a given characteristic)	What is the average number of hours that community college students work each week?
	What proportion of all U.S. college students are enrolled at a community college?
Test a claim about the population (often a claim about an average value or a proportion with a given characteristic)	Is the average course load for a community college student greater than 12 units?
	Do the majority of community college students qualify for federal student loans?
Compare two populations (often a comparison of population averages or proportions with a given characteristic)	In community colleges, do female students have a higher GPA than male students?
	Are college athletes more likely than non-athletes to receive academic advising?
Investigate a relationship between two variables in the population	Is there a relationship between the number of hours high school students spend each week on Facebook and their GPA?
	Is academic counseling associated with quicker completion of a college degree?