Unit 2: Selecting and Defining a Research Topic
Identifying a Topic or Question to Research
Exploring areas of interest and relevance.
Identifying gaps in existing knowledge or unanswered questions.
Considering personal curiosity and passion for the topic.
Sources of Research Topics
Reviewing academic literature, journals, and research articles.
Seeking inspiration from real-world problems, current events, or societal issues.
Engaging in discussions with experts, colleagues, or mentors.
Narrowing the Topic
Refining the research focus to a specific aspect or subtopic.
Refining the research focus to a specific aspect or subtopic.
Identifying the scope and boundaries of the research.
Characteristics of Good Topics
Relevance and significance to the field of study.
Novelty and potential for contributing new knowledge.
Clear research objectives and achievable outcomes.
Stating the Research Topic
Developing a clear and concise research topic statement.
Articulating the main research question or objective.
Providing a brief overview of the research scope and purpose.
Formulating and Stating a Hypothesis
Defining a hypothesis as a testable statement or prediction.
Formulating hypotheses based on the research question.
Linking hypotheses to the variables and concepts under investigation.
Quantitative Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses
Defining quantitative hypotheses that involve measurable variables.
Aiming to establish cause-and-effect relationships or quantify relationships between variables.
Providing a basis for statistical testing and analysis.
Qualitative Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses
Defining qualitative hypotheses that focus on understanding experiences, meanings, or social phenomena.
Aiming to explore and generate in-depth insights and understanding.
Guiding data collection and analysis in qualitative research.
Criteria for Hypotheses
Ensuring hypotheses are specific, clear, and testable.
Aligning hypotheses with the research question and objectives.
Considering feasibility and availability of data for hypothesis testing.
Types of Hypotheses
Null hypotheses state no relationship or no significant difference.
Alternative hypotheses propose a relationship or significant difference.
Stating the Hypotheses
Clearly stating the hypothesis in a concise and declarative manner.
Using appropriate language and terminology for the specific field of study.
Ensuring the hypothesis is easily understandable to the intended audience.
Testing Hypotheses
Designing a research methodology and data collection process.
Collecting relevant data to test the hypothesis.
Analyzing the data using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis methods.