Research question focused inquiry – UGC NET Question

A research question articulates, in interrogative form, what the study seeks to find out about a phenomenon or relationship. It narrows the broad problem into a specific focus that can realistically be addressed. By indicating what information is needed, it guides decisions about variables, participants and instruments. Therefore, a clearly worded interrogative statement that directs data collection is known as a research question.

Option A:
The research question helps to avoid vague or overly broad investigations by specifying exactly what the researcher wants to know. It serves as a bridge between the general problem and more formal hypotheses or objectives. This focusing and guiding function matches the description given in the stem.

Option B:
A null hypothesis is a statistical statement asserting that no significant difference or relationship exists in the population; it is not usually phrased as an interrogative question. It is also tied more to hypothesis testing than to the initial framing of inquiry. Hence, null hypothesis is not the correct completion.

Option C:
A research design is the blueprint that specifies how data will be collected and analysed, based on the previously defined questions and objectives. It is a plan, not an interrogative statement. Therefore, research design does not fit the role described in the question.

Option D:
A sampling frame is the list of units from which the sample is drawn and does not itself define what is being asked or investigated. It is a technical tool for selection rather than a statement of inquiry, so sampling frame is not appropriate here.