In this conceptual paper, we discuss how carefully developed research questions may support qualitative researchers by providing boundaries for their study designs. These boundaries could indicate a researcher's epistemological and theoretical connections and support his or her research choices. Although these boundaries are permeable and in flux, they may promote epistemologically and methodologically consistent, justified research projects. We argue that research questions should not be decontextualized or seen as technical or independent aspects of research design. Rather, researchers should develop research questions within specific epistemological, theoretical, and cultural contexts, thereby influencing the entire research process and reflecting the ways a researcher positions him/herself as a knower. (Contains 2 tables.)