Developing a Research Question - Research Methods - Lecture Slides, Slides of Research Methodology

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Developing a Research Question:Research Ideas and Hypotheses

Research Ideas and Hypotheses Developing a research idea, translating idea into a research question, translating question into a testablehypothesis

All research starts with a research idea. Gap in current knowledge, unansweredquestion.

Research Ideas and Hypotheses

1. Testable • Must be able to answer the question. 2. Likelihood of Success - Based on some understanding of theprocesses under investigation

Characteristics of a Good Research Question

Nonsystematic Includes:Inspiration

Serendipity, Everyday occurrences

Sources of Research Ideas Systematic Includes:Past Research

Theory Experience

Sources of Research Ideas

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Surveying the Research Literature, requires some sophistication about area. Refine idea, terms usingTheory, knowledge Indexing Textbooks Keyword lists from known sources

Developing a Research Question Logical Argument, Reasoning, ProblemSolving

Developing a Research Question

Development of the Research Hypothesis The formal statement of your researchquestion Predicts the relationship between an IV and DV

Developing a Research Hypothesis Types of statements: Synthetic H R synthetic statements Analytic Contradictory

Developing a Research Hypothesis

Four main types of research hypotheses:

**_1. Estimation of population characteristics

2. Correlation among variables
3. Differences among two or more populations
4. Cause and effect_**

Types of Research Hypotheses Sufficient condition Necessary condition

When “necessary” and “sufficient” combined,identifies a true causal relationship.

Necessary and Sufficient

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Should be able to state Himplication form, R in general as an if … then statement

Stating the Research Hypothesis Directional hypotheses

Nondirectional hypotheses

Directional, Nondirectional ResearchHypotheses

If predicted results not obtained, evidence thatH (^) R incorrect (falsifiability). If predicted results obtained, supports the H (^) R. A research hypothesis can never be proven. Itcan only be supported by the results or demonstrated to be incorrect.

the Research Hypothesis Try to disconfirm the H (^) R Confirming evidence could be consistent withmany hypotheses or theories, Disconfirming evidence unequivocallyeliminates a theory or hypothesis.

the Research Hypothesis

1. Summarizes, organizes observations,explains relationships among them.
2. Testable.
3. Allows predictions.

Characteristics of a Good Research Hypothesis Fact: supported by evidence, and well enoughsupported that not (usually) questioned. A “fact” as fixed and unchanging not aconcept within most areas of science. If enough supporting evidence, routinelyaccepted, may achieve the status of “fact”.

Hypothesis, Theory, Fact