Do vs. What Questions in Research: Understanding the Difference

Do vs. What Questions in Research: Understanding the Difference

Developing a strong research question is one of the most important steps in any dissertation, thesis, or research project. However, many students struggle with deciding how to phrase their questions. One common area of confusion involves the use of "do" questions versus "what" questions.

While both types of questions can be effective, they often serve different purposes and align with different research methodologies. Understanding the distinction can help you create clearer, more focused research questions and design a stronger study.

Why Research Questions Matter

Research questions guide every aspect of a study, including:

• The literature review

• Research design

• Data collection methods

• Data analysis

• Interpretation of findings

A poorly constructed research question can lead to an unfocused project, while a well-written question provides a clear roadmap for the entire research process.

What Are "Do" Questions?

"Do" questions typically investigate whether a relationship, effect, or difference exists between variables.

Examples include:

• Do mindfulness interventions reduce anxiety among college students?

• Do doctoral students experience higher levels of stress than master's students?

• Do social support networks influence academic persistence?

These questions are often associated with quantitative research because they seek measurable outcomes that can be tested statistically.

Characteristics of Do Questions

Do questions generally:

• Examine cause-and-effect relationships

• Compare groups

• Test hypotheses

• Focus on measurable variables

• Use statistical analysis

For example:

Do online counseling services improve treatment adherence among adolescents?

This question suggests a comparison between individuals who receive online counseling and those who do not, making it suitable for quantitative analysis.

What Are "What" Questions?

"What" questions typically explore experiences, perceptions, meanings, or descriptions.

Examples include:

• What are doctoral students' experiences of dissertation writing?

• What factors influence career satisfaction among school counselors?

• What challenges do first-generation college students encounter during their doctoral programs?

These questions are frequently used in qualitative research because they seek rich, detailed descriptions rather than statistical relationships.

Characteristics of What Questions

What questions often:

• Explore experiences and perspectives

• Seek understanding rather than measurement

• Generate themes and patterns

• Use interviews, focus groups, or observations

• Emphasize participant viewpoints

For example:

What are the lived experiences of doctoral students managing full-time employment while completing a dissertation?

This question aims to understand participants' perspectives rather than measure a specific effect.

Do Questions and Quantitative Research

In quantitative studies, researchers often test hypotheses based on existing theories.

Examples include:

• Do sleep quality and academic performance correlate among university students?

• Do anxiety levels differ between online and traditional learners?

• Do mentoring programs improve doctoral student retention?

These questions usually involve:

• Independent variables

• Dependent variables

• Statistical testing

• Numerical data

The goal is to determine whether relationships or differences exist.

What Questions and Qualitative Research

Qualitative researchers often seek to understand how individuals experience particular phenomena.

Examples include:

• What are educators' perceptions of artificial intelligence in the classroom?

• What experiences contribute to doctoral student resilience?

• What barriers do counseling students encounter during practicum placements?

These questions are designed to uncover themes, meanings, and insights that may not be captured through numerical data alone.

Can "What" Questions Be Quantitative?

Yes. Although "what" questions are commonly associated with qualitative research, they can also be quantitative.

For example:

• What percentage of doctoral students report symptoms of academic burnout?

• What factors predict dissertation completion rates?

In these cases, the question seeks measurable information rather than subjective experiences.

This demonstrates that the wording alone does not determine the methodology. The research objective is what matters most.

Can "Do" Questions Be Qualitative?

Less commonly, but sometimes.

For example:

How do doctoral students describe the impact of faculty support on their academic progress?

Although the word "do" appears in the question, the focus is on participant descriptions and experiences, making it qualitative in nature.

This highlights the importance of examining the intent of the question rather than focusing solely on specific words.

Choosing Between Do and What Questions

Consider your research goal.

Use do questions when you want to:

• Test relationships

• Measure outcomes

• Compare groups

• Evaluate interventions

Use what questions when you want to:

• Explore experiences

• Understand perceptions

• Identify themes

• Describe phenomena

The choice should align with your methodology and research objectives.

Examples by Research Type

Quantitative

• Do stress management programs reduce workplace burnout?

• Do social media usage patterns predict anxiety levels among adolescents?

• Do mentoring relationships improve doctoral student retention?

Qualitative

• What are teachers' experiences implementing inclusive education practices?

• What factors shape doctoral students' perceptions of academic success?

• What challenges do counselors face when working with trauma survivors?

Mixed Methods

• What factors influence dissertation completion, and do these factors differ by program type?

• What are students' perceptions of online learning, and do satisfaction levels vary across demographic groups?

Common Mistakes When Writing Research Questions

Being Too Broad

Poor example:

What affects student success?

Improved version:

What factors influence first-year doctoral students' academic persistence?

Mixing Multiple Purposes

Poor example:

What are students' experiences, and do these experiences affect grades, retention, motivation, and wellbeing?

Improved version:

What are doctoral students' experiences of dissertation writing?

Not Aligning with Methodology

A research question should match the methods you plan to use. If you want to test relationships statistically, a do question may be more appropriate. If you want to explore experiences in depth, a what question may be a better fit.

Final Thoughts on Do vs. What Questions in Research: Understanding the Difference

Both "do" and "what" questions have important roles in research. "Do" questions are commonly used to test relationships, effects, and differences, making them well suited for quantitative studies. "What" questions often explore experiences, perceptions, and meanings, making them a popular choice in qualitative research.

The most important consideration is not the specific word used, but whether the question aligns with your research purpose, methodology, and overall study design. A carefully crafted research question provides the foundation for a successful dissertation and helps ensure that every stage of the research process remains focused and coherent.