Which of the following is an example of a Research Question?

• A. How does time spent on social media relate to student attention in class?
• B. What is the most effective study technique for exams?
• C. Does sleep duration cause changes in GPA?
• D. What is the average class attendance rate?

Answer: (A)

A research question is a clear, testable inquiry that asks about a relationship between variables and can be explored with data. The example about how time spent on social media relates to student attention in class fits this pattern perfectly. It sets up two measurable elements—time on social media and attention in class—and invites data collection and analysis to see whether and how they move together. You could collect hours spent and measures of attention, then examine the association with a correlation or regression, providing empirical evidence about the relationship rather than making a claim without data.

The other prompts are less about testing a relationship with data. Asking which study technique is most effective reads like a practical recommendation rather than a testable research question, unless it's reframed to compare techniques and outcome scores. Stating that sleep duration causes changes in GPA introduces a causal claim, which requires a specific experimental or quasi-experimental design to support; while still research-oriented, it goes beyond the simple association focus of many introductory examples. Describing the average class attendance rate is descriptive and summarizes a single metric rather than examining how variables relate or influence each other.