Explain the situation before the idea.
A proposed solution is not the same as a research question. Begin with the situation that prompted it. Who encounters the difficulty, when does it occur, and what is currently done about it?
Consider a visitor check-in process. Someone may suggest a new screen, while the actual difficulty is that visitors cannot tell whether their arrival has been acknowledged. Describing that uncertainty leaves room to examine different explanations rather than committing immediately to a particular device or interface.
Find out what is already available.
Existing instructions, observations, and permitted examples may help explain the problem. Distinguish information that has been observed from an expectation or an opinion. The difference matters when deciding what still needs investigation.
Check where the information came from and which circumstances it covers. A comment from one person can suggest a question without establishing that every user has the same experience. A useful starting point can be incomplete, provided its limitations remain visible.
Name the decision that follows.
Explain how a finding would be used. It might help someone decide whether to revise instructions, examine an alternative, or collect more information. This connection helps keep an investigation proportionate to its purpose.
There may be no single answer at first. A short investigation can still be useful if it identifies which uncertainty deserves attention next. The terms below are general explanations for reading these notes, not names of company services or claims about completed work.
Words used in these notes.
Research question
A statement of what remains uncertain. For example, whether a visitor understands that an arrival has been acknowledged. It describes what to learn, rather than naming a solution.
Constraint
A condition that limits the possible approach or investigation, such as a fixed location, restricted access, or a decision date. A constraint should be explained so its effect remains visible.
Observation
An account of what happened under stated conditions. It should remain distinct from an explanation of why it happened or an assumption about other situations.