Do you want to formulate sub-questions for your thesis? Read our useful tips

What are sub-questions?

Sub-questions are questions that you answer in your thesis. By answering these questions, you also address the main question. Sub-questions provide an overview; in fact, they help divide the larger research question (main question) into smaller, manageable parts that you will investigate and answer. While not all courses mandate the preparation of sub-questions, we highly recommend doing so as it helps maintain clarity in your research. It is important to verify that your sub-questions will effectively answer your central research question.

Important requirements when drawing up sub-questions

When formulating sub-questions, it is crucial to consider the following aspects:

• Sub-questions must be comprehensive, meaning they should provide complete answers to the main question.
• Sub-questions should not overlap; they should be mutually exclusive. Investigating the same or similar aspects twice is not productive. Sub-questions should also not overlap with the main question.
• Sub-questions should be open-ended, like the main question. Avoid sub-questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, unless they serve as a means to test a hypothesis. If a sub-question can be directly answered affirmatively or negatively, there may not be a need for further research.
• Sub-questions should be clear, specific, and easily understandable. This requires operationalizing abstract concepts in the questions and avoiding ambiguity.
• Ensure that sub-questions are arranged logically. Though this often occurs naturally, it is beneficial to double-check the order.

How many sub-questions should I write?

There is no set number of sub-questions required for preparation. The complexity of your topic and main question determines the number of sub-questions needed. In general, we suggest formulating at least 3 and at most 5 sub-questions. If you believe you require additional or fewer sub-questions, please discuss this with your thesis supervisor.

How do I formulate good sub-questions?

It can be challenging to determine what constitutes as good sub-questions, although this is a common query from students seeking our assistance. Coherence is of utmost importance, thus it is essential to evaluate each sub-question to determine if it contributes towards answering the main question.

Here are some steps you can follow to formulate good sub-questions:

• Understand your main question: Ensure that you have a clear comprehension of your main question before developing sub-questions. What is your specific research objective or goal for your thesis?
• Identify the most important aspects: Determine the specific topics, factors, or variables that are pertinent to your research.
• Divide your main question: Break down your main question into smaller, manageable parts that each address a distinct aspect of your research.
• Take relevance into account: Ensure that each sub-question is relevant to addressing your main question. If a sub-question is not relevant, eliminate it.
• Use clear formulation: Formulate your sub-questions clearly and specifically, so that the reader can immediately understand what is being asked.
• Be exhaustive: Ensure that your sub-questions cover all relevant aspects of your main question. They need to be comprehensive in order to provide a complete answer to your main question.
• Avoid overlap between sub-questions: Each sub-question should tackle a unique aspect of your research and should not repeat what is already discussed in other sub-questions.

By following these steps, you can formulate effective sub-questions that will form the basis for structured and targeted research in your thesis.

How can I answer the sub-questions?

Here are some steps you can follow to effectively answer sub-questions:

• Choose a research methodology: Determine which research methods are most suitable to answer each sub-question. Choose from quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, depending on your research question.
• Collect relevant data: Gather all necessary data, such as literature, survey results, interviews, or observations, to address each sub-question.
• Analyze the data: Utilize appropriate analysis techniques to interpret the collected data and derive conclusions relevant to each sub-question.
• Interpret the results: Analyze the findings of your research to address each sub-question. Identify patterns, trends, correlations, or anomalies that are relevant.
• Formulate conclusions: Draw conclusions based on the findings and ensure that they directly relate to the specific sub-question you are attempting to address.
• Establish a link to the main question: Consolidate all the answers to the sub-questions and connect them to the main question of your research. Demonstrate how each answer contributes to comprehending and addressing the overarching question.

Need help with your research?

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