well-defined question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well-defined question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is clear, specific, and unambiguous, making it easier to answer or address. Example: "In order to conduct effective research, it is essential to formulate a well-defined question that guides the inquiry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Because these sets of predictions are very concrete, they allow you to ask a well-defined question, and you can design experiments to answer that question.

Princeton University

It's actually not a very well-defined question because our noses are slightly different shapes, so what exactly would that mean?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is a well-defined question and its analysis can provide direct implications.

Latin American Economic Review

It is not clear that this is a well-defined question since the notion of a logical constant is notoriously hard to pin-point.

SEP

Thus the question of whether a path has a finite or infinite generalized affine length is a perfectly well-defined question, and that is all we'll need.

SEP

The focus of the experiment was to see if a well-defined question could be answered by extracting information from the patent literature, using PatentEye.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Forensic soil science, as a developing discipline of soil science, has matured to the extent that well-defined questions and crime scene investigations are being addressed in increasingly refined ways to assist both law enforcement and environmental agencies.

Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences

She therefore maintains that there is no genuine dispute over the truth of externalism, and recommends that philosophers drop the issue in favor of more well-defined questions.

SEP

The philosophy behind starting with a simple representation of a complex system designed to address certain well-defined questions is similar to that motivating the methods of experimental scientists [33].

Plosone

Given a well-defined causal question that is of policy priority, the next step is to articulate the question in the form of a counterfactual conditional statement.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Articulate a well-defined research question, conduct independent research using primary sources and a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, and write a substantive research paper.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When designing a study, start by formulating a "well-defined question". This ensures your research remains focused and efficient.

Common error

Avoid starting with broad or ambiguous inquiries. Without a "well-defined question", the research can become unfocused and yield less valuable insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well-defined question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "well-defined" modifies the noun "question". It describes a question that is clearly and precisely formulated. Ludwig examples show it used to emphasize the clarity and focus of inquiries in various fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "well-defined question" denotes a clear, specific, and unambiguous inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Primarily found in scientific and academic writing, it emphasizes the need for precision in research and investigation. Alternatives include "clearly formulated question" and "specific inquiry". When writing, prioritize clarity to formulate a "well-defined question", ensuring focused research and valuable insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly formulated question

Focuses on the clarity and precision of the question's formulation.

precisely stated question

Emphasizes the exactness and accuracy in how the question is expressed.

unambiguously defined question

Highlights the absence of any potential misinterpretations.

specific inquiry

Focuses on the narrow and targeted nature of the question.

focused research question

Highlights the degree to which the question is narrowly targeted.

explicitly framed question

Highlights how clearly the question is presented.

articulated research question

Emphasizes the clear expression of the research problem.

clearly delineated question

Focuses on the clear boundaries and scope of the question.

research question with clear scope

Emphasizes having a manageable and clear objective.

structured question

The question is organised in a clear way.

FAQs

How do I formulate a "well-defined question" for research?

Start by identifying the specific problem you want to solve or the knowledge gap you want to fill. Ensure your question is focused, answerable, and aligns with available resources and data. Consider using alternatives such as a "clearly formulated question" or a "focused research question".

What makes a research question "well-defined"?

A "well-defined" research question is clear, specific, and focused. It avoids ambiguity and allows for a targeted investigation. It can be contrasted with a poorly defined question, which may be too broad or lack clear objectives. A "precisely stated question" helps ensure the research is manageable and yields meaningful results.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "well-defined question"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "specific inquiry", "explicitly framed question", or "research question with clear scope" to convey similar meanings.

Why is it important to have a "well-defined question" in research?

A "well-defined question" provides a clear direction for your research, ensuring that your efforts are focused and efficient. It also helps in designing appropriate methodologies, collecting relevant data, and drawing meaningful conclusions. Without a clear question, research can become aimless and produce less valuable results.