SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS 2

Sample Research Questions

The research question sought to find out the relationship between average annual cost of
attending college in the State of Alabama with graduation rates and salaries that graduates earn
after successfully completing their college studies. The questionnaire used in the survey
combines both qualitative and quantitative approach. Quantitatively, it seeks to understand the
extend of the relationships in the research questions. Qualitatively, it will find out reasons behind
various phenomena such as why the student dropped out of college.

1. What was your average annual cost of attending college?
   The data collected under this question will be used in comparing average annual costs of
   attending different colleges in Alabama and how these costs relate to drop out rates and after-
   college salaries.
2. Did you receive any financial help with covering the cost? If so, what percentage of your
   college’s average annual cost was covered with money other than your own or that of
   your family?
   This question seeks to understand the extend to which the cost of college studies fell on the
   student and their family. The cost of attending a given college may be high but if most of the cost
   is handled by individuals and organizations other than the student and their families, then it is
   unlikely to affect decisions such as dropping out.
3. Did you graduate or you called off your studies?
   The question sets the stage for the next one. Additionally, it will be used to collect data on drop-
   out rate in Alabama colleges.

SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS 3

4. If you dropped out or temporarily called off your studies, what was the reason behind the
   decision?
   This question seeks to know the extend to which college costs affect drop out rates. If it is found
   that most of the persons who dropped out did so for non-financial reasons, then it will be wrong
   to make conclusions such as high college fees leads to higher drop out rate.
5. What is your employment status?
   This question sets the stage for the next question. Only those who are currently employed can
   answer the following question.
6. What is your gross annual salary on your principal job?
   The question will collect data which will be used to establish the relationship between college
   cost and post-college salaries. In framing the question, I have used ‘principal job’ because of the
   possibility that some people may be having more than one job which significantly boosts their
   annual income and yet some of the other jobs that they do may not be related to their college
   studies.
7. In choosing your current job, what was your primary motivation?
   It will be wrong to assume that financial benefits are the only reason that a person chooses one
   job over another one. If a person chose their current job for reasons other than financial benefits
   then it will be wrong to conclude that there is a direct relationship between cost of college and
   salary one gets upon graduation.
8. To what extend is work on your principal job related to the highest degree that you
   earned in college?

SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS 4
This question is important because it seeks to establish a direct connection (or lack of) between a
person’s college education and their job. Whichever amount of salary one is earning, it will not
be important for the study if it is not related to their college degrees.