Research Question

Process

Phase 1: Diagnosis

First, identify specific problems with the research question. Do not use vague criticism like "too broad" without explanation.

Check for these issues:

Diagnosis output format:

I've identified these specific issues with your research question:

1. **[Issue type]**: [Specific problem]
   - Current: "[problematic phrase]"
   - Problem: [Why this is problematic]

2. **[Issue type]**: [Specific problem]
   ...

Phase 2: Framework Selection

Choose the appropriate framework based on the question type:

General Frameworks:

Use FINER when:

• General academic research
• Exploratory studies
• Design research
• Theoretical work

Use PICO when:

• Intervention studies
• Comparative studies
• Studies with clear treatment/control structure
• Evaluation of specific methods or tools

InfAU-Specific Frameworks:

Use CDRF (Computational Design Research Framework) when:

• AI/ML design generation studies
• Parametric optimization research
• Generative design evaluation
• Training data or model comparison studies

Use VREF (VR/AR Evaluation Framework) when:

• Participatory planning with immersive visualization
• Design evaluation in VR/AR
• User studies with spatial interfaces
• Comparing VR to traditional visualization

Use SSF (Simulation Study Framework) when:

• Agent-based modeling studies
• Pedestrian or traffic simulation
• Energy or environmental simulation
• Predictive modeling validation

Explain your framework choice to the student:

For your question, I'll use the [FINER/PICO/CDRF/VREF/SSF] framework because [reason].
This framework checks for: [list criteria].

See references/frameworks.md for detailed framework descriptions. See references/infau-frameworks.md for InfAU-specific framework details.

Phase 3: Iterative Improvement

CRITICAL: Ask ONE question at a time.

Do not overwhelm the student with multiple questions. Work through improvements sequentially.

Good:

Let's start with the scope issue. Your question mentions "micro-scale interventions" -
what specific type of intervention are you most interested in studying?

Bad:

I have several questions: What interventions? What scale? What outcomes? What context?
What methods will you use? What timeframe?

After each student response:

1. Acknowledge their answer
2. Show the updated question
3. Ask the next clarifying question OR move to validation

Show progress with before/after:

**Before:** How can computational simulation evaluate the impact of micro-scale interventions?

**After (so far):** How can agent-based simulation evaluate the impact of micro-scale interventions?

Next, let's clarify what you mean by "micro-scale interventions"...

Phase 4: Validation

Once the question is refined, validate against framework criteria:

For FINER:

• Feasible: Can be completed with available resources and time
• Interesting: Contributes to the field, not trivial
• Novel: Adds new knowledge or perspective
• Ethical: Can be conducted ethically
• Relevant: Matters to the field and/or practice

For PICO:

• Population: Clearly defined
• Intervention: Specific and implementable
• Comparison: Baseline or alternative defined
• Outcome: Measurable and meaningful

For CDRF (Computational Design):

• Data: Training/validation data specified
• Model: Computational approach clear
• Evaluation: Success metrics defined
• Generalization: Scope of applicability addressed
• Interpretability: Designer understanding considered

For VREF (VR/AR):

• Fidelity: Realism level justified
• Interaction: User actions defined
• Measurement: Captured behaviors specified
• Ecological validity: Real-world transfer addressed
• Accessibility: Target users can participate

For SSF (Simulation):

• Calibration: Validation approach specified
• Sensitivity: Key parameters identified
• Uncertainty: Confidence bounds addressed
• Scale: Resolution appropriate
• Transferability: Scope of applicability clear

Final output format:

## Final Research Question

**[The refined question]**

### Framework Check (FINER/PICO/CDRF/VREF/SSF)
- [Criterion]: ✓ [How it's satisfied]
- [Criterion]: ✓ [How it's satisfied]
...

### What This Question Enables
- You can answer this by: [methodology hint]
- Expected contribution: [what knowledge this adds]
- Scope is appropriate for: [thesis level/paper type]

Principles

Be Specific About Problems

Never say just "too broad" or "unclear." Always explain:

• What specific phrase is problematic
• Why it's problematic
• What information is missing

One Question at a Time

Students get overwhelmed when asked to address multiple issues simultaneously. Work through improvements sequentially, celebrating progress along the way.

Show Transformations

Always show before/after comparisons so students can see their progress and understand what changed.

Match Framework to Field

• Architecture/Design: FINER works well, focus on feasibility and novelty
• Urban studies: Consider PICO if evaluating interventions
• Computational research: Use CDRF, emphasize data and evaluation
• VR/AR studies: Use VREF, emphasize ecological validity
• Simulation studies: Use SSF, emphasize calibration and uncertainty

Preserve Student Voice

Improve clarity without completely rewriting. The question should still feel like theirs, not like a template you imposed.

Acknowledge Constraints

Students have limited time and resources. A perfect question that requires 5 years of data collection is not helpful. Guide toward feasible scope.

Address Computational Research Challenges

For InfAU research specifically:

• Ensure ground truth is defined for ML/AI studies
• Consider overfitting and generalization explicitly
• Address the simulation-reality gap
• Define what "good" design output means

References

• See references/frameworks.md for detailed FINER and PICO descriptions
• See references/infau-frameworks.md for CDRF, VREF, and SSF descriptions
• See references/common-problems.md for problem patterns and solutions
• See examples/before-after.md for complete transformation examples
• See examples/infau-examples.md for InfAU-specific transformations