Writing the researchable question is a challenging and difficult step in the research process, yet it is one of its most critical aspects. A clear and carefully and thoughtfully constructed research question helps to guide the research project to hit its scholarly target. To some degree, research is only as good as the research question and plan on which it is based. More importantly, from a clinical practice perspective, answering the carefully composed research question closes the gaps between what is known and what needs to be known about nursing care and resolves the discrepancy between the way things are and what they ought to be for better patient care.