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Chapter 12: Research Questions and Hypothesis - Coggle Diagram
Chapter 12: Research Questions and Hypothesis
Introduction
Most crucial part in research
Many research studies are muddy and ill conceived because of careless thinking at this stage
Research questions
a)Is the methodological point of departure of scholarly research in both the natural sciences and humanity. b) Is a logical statement that progresses from what is known or believed to be true (as determined by literature review) to that is unknown and requires validation. c) the answer to research questions is the thesis statement
Importance
a) Knowledge of the variables allows us to understand the hypothesis of the study. The hypothesis describe predicted relationships between the variables.
b) Choosing a research question is the central element of quantitative and qualitative research and in some cases may precedes construction of the conceptual framework of the study.
Steps to formulate the strong research question (you should ask yourself these things):
Do I know the field and its literature well?
What are the important research questions in my field?
What areas need further exploration?
Could my study fill a gap?
Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this topic area?
Has this study been done before, Is there a room for imptovement?
Is the timing right for this question to be answered?
Would funding sources be interested?
If you are proposing a service program, is the target community interested?
Most importantly, will my study have any impact on the field?
Developing a research question
a) A topic must be identified
b)Topic is the right size for the purpose
c) Research question that you are interested in
d) Choose topic that actually can be researched
e) Neither too broad or too narrow
f) Know a lot about the topic
g) Evaluate research question and ask feedback
Advices on developing good research question:
A good question
a. Is not a question that has already been answered
b. Is something that is possible to answer with the time and resources
c. Balanced and without bias
d. Grounded in one or more existing fields and disciplines
e. Points towards clear and focused argument and action
f. Somethings others are interested
So what?
What will change as a result of answering the question?
Reflect on it
Refer to others
The buzz test
Gives buzz of excitement. Phrase in words that stimulate you.
The reality test
a. What time do I have? How much time needed?
b. Amount of money I have? How much need to be spend?
c. Who can help me?
d. What tools do I have?
Evaluate your own research question
a. Does the question deal with something interesting to spark my own thoughts and opinions?
b. Is it easily and fully researchable?
c. What type of information do i need to answer the question?
d. Is the Information's scope appropriate?
e. My questions, too broad or too narrow?
f. What sources do i have?
g. Can i access the resouces?
Research Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction and it provides a tentative explanation for a phenomenon under study.
Importance
a) To clarify, direct, specify and focus the research problem
b) Guide research
c) As hypothesis is continually supported over time, it becomes theory
d) A theory that is continually validated becomes law
Generally express expected relationship between independent and dependent variable
Characteristics of good hypothesis ;
Created based on established theories
Described in declarative form, brief and succint
Can be refuted or supported on data analysis results, real situations or events, research findings
Use positive statement
Demonstrated using sufficient empirical and theoretical evidence
Hypothesis that have moral/ religious issues, value judgment or hypothetical situations cannot be tested
Expressed in terms that can be measured
Types and Forms:
As negative relationship between 2 variables (As one increases, other decreases or vice versa)
In the form of positive relationship or association between variables (as one increases, so does the other)
In the form of curvilinear or nonlinear relationship (First, the relationship goes in 1 direction then in the other, cannot be expressed in straight line)
In the form of no relationship (Not related to one another, two variables are independent of one another)
How to create research hypothesis?
Hypotheses derived from theory or related research, logical argument, or the opinion of others
Following the review of related literature and prior to the execution of the study
From the propositions suggested from qualitative research
How are hypotheses written?
a. contain 2 variables, independent: the one that we can control and dependent: the one we observe/ measure results.
b. some research propose 3rd variable (moderation/ mediating variables)
Steps in stating hypothesis ;
Deriving from theoretical framework
Designating independent and dependent variables
State the hypothesis
Strong hypotheses:
States the researchers' expectations concerning relationship between variables
Refinement of research problem
What the researcher thinks the outcome of the study will be
Collect data that either support or refute it
Formulated following the review of related literature and prior to the execution of the study
States clearly and concisely
testable
provide rationale for hypothesis
provide alternative how they can be tested
matched with specific objective
not a question
to the point
readily understood by others
states specific predictions
future tense, usually
testable via 1 analysis
identifies specific relationship between variables
can be one-tailed or two-tailed
stated using : o null (H0) and o alternative hypothesis (H1)
Number or assigned a letter to each hypothesis
Formulating research hypothesis for various types of research problems
a) A model for stating hypotheses for an experimental or causal- comparative study
if X is the independent variable, Y is dependent, and S is subject, we can state our research hypothesis as S who get X do better on Y than subjects who do not get X
b) A model for stating hypotheses for correlation research
if A and B variable (we do not refer them as independent or dependent here), C is the subject we can state our research problem as relationship between A and B for C.: There will be significant positive correlation between A and B for C (or negative or without specifying direction). Need to provide operational definition for A and B and describe C.
c) Applying the model to descriptive research
If A, B, C,D are variables, E is the subject or subject group . Research problem: A,B,C, and D among E. Research Hypothesis: There is no specific relationship between variables thus there will be no research hypothesis.