A formal statement of the research question or purpose of a research study generally:

A formal statement of the research question or purpose of a research study generally: (a) Is made prior to the literature review

(b) Is made after the literature review

(c) Will help guide the research process

(d) b and c

✅ Correct option: (d) b and c

Explanation:

A formal statement of the research question or purpose is a critical component of a research study. In most cases, this statement is developed after a thorough review of the literature. The literature review helps researchers understand what is already known, identify gaps, and refine the focus of the study. Once the literature has been reviewed, the research question becomes more precise, focused, and researchable. This formal statement then serves as a guiding framework for the entire research process, influencing the choice of design, methodology, data collection tools, and analysis procedures. Option (a) is incorrect because developing a research question before reviewing literature often results in vague or redundant studies. Option (c) is correct but incomplete on its own. Therefore, the best answer is option (d), which correctly combines both essential aspects.

10 Related PPSC Facts:

Literature review informs research questions Research questions guide methodology Purpose statement clarifies intent Formal questions reduce ambiguity Research focus evolves through review Questions define scope of study Poor questions weaken research Research questions precede data collection Literature prevents duplication Purpose statements improve clarity