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SELECTING AND DEFINING A RESEARCH TOPIC - Coggle Diagram
SELECTING AND DEFINING
A RESEARCH TOPIC
IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH TOPIC
Sources of Research Topics
Studies That Can Be Replicated
Library Searches
Personal Experiences
Electronic Mailing Lists
Theories
Narrowing the Topic
After an initial topic is identified, it often needs to be narrowed and focused into a manageable topic to study.
The first step in selecting a research topic is to identify a general subject that is related to your area of expertise and is of particular interest to you.
Characteristics of Good Topics
It is of interest to the researcher and that it is researchable using the collection and analysis of data
It has theoretical or practical significance
It is ethical and does not harm participants in any way.
It can be adequately investigated given your current level of research skill
Stating the Research Topic
It is the first item in the introduction to a research plan and the introduction to the final research report
Developing Research Questions
Developing research questions breathes life into the research topic statements
It provide the researcher with an action plan for the development and identification of research instruments.
FORMULATING AND STATING
A HYPOTHESIS
Types of Hypotheses
A deductive hypothesis is derived from theory
A nondirectional hypothesis predicts only that a relation or difference exists
An inductive hypothesis is a generalization made from a number of observations
a directional hypothesis indicates the direction of the difference as well
A null hypothesis predicts that there is no significant relation or difference between variables
Stating the Hypothesis
A general paradigm, or model, for stating hypotheses for experimental studies is P who get X do better on Y than P who do not get X (or get some other X). P refers to participants, X refers to the treatment or independent variable (IV), and Y refers to the outcome or dependent variable (DV).
Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses
in Quantitative Studies
A critical characteristic of a good hypothesis is that it is based on a sound rationale
A hypothesis in a quantitative study is formulated based on theory or on knowledge gained while reviewing the related literature.
A well-stated and well-defined hypothesis must be testable
It is a tentative but rational explanation for the predicted outcome.
Testing the Hypothesis
The researcher selects the sample, measuring instruments, design, and procedures that will enable him or her to collect the data necessary to test the hypothesis. Those data are analyzed to determine whether or not the hypothesis is supported.
A hypothesis is a researcher’s prediction of the research findings
Researchers do not set out to prove a hypothesis but rather collect data that either support or do not support it
Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses
in Qualitative Studies
The qualitative researcher may operationalize the hypothesis through the development of research questions that provide a focus for data collection
Typically, qualitative researchers do not state formal hypotheses prior to the study
Qualitative researchers are likely to generate new hypotheses as a result of their studies