Asking the Right Question: Avoiding Pitfalls in Research Methods | RASTA-PIDE RESEARCH WORKSHOP

This session focuses on one of the most important foundations of impactful research: asking the right research question. In this lecture, Dr Murtaza Haider, Executive Director at the Cities Institute, University of Alberta (Canada), discusses how well formulated research questions shape the quality and impact of policy research. The session highlights why research questions matter for evidence based policymaking and how researchers can translate broad policy problems into clear, precise, and policy relevant questions. Dr Haider also explains the key characteristics of strong research questions and identifies common pitfalls that often weaken research design. Participants learn practical approaches to avoid poorly framed questions that can undermine research quality and policy relevance. This session is part of a policy research training initiative supported by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, RASTA (PIDE & Planning Commission Competitive Research Grants), and the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). Watch the full lecture to understand how strong research design begins with asking the right question. #ResearchMethods #PolicyResearch #AskTheRightQuestion #PIDE #RASTA #ResearchDesign #PublicPolicy #EvidenceBasedPolicy #PolicyTraining #academicresearch #PolicyAnalysis