25. Hypothesis A hypothesis [from Greek] consists either of a suggested explanation of a phenomenon or of a reasoned proposal suggesting a possible relationship between multiple phenomena. In science: The Scientific Method requires that one can test a scientific hypothesis. Generally base such hypotheses on previous observations or on extensions of scientific theories.
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28. Hypothesis: Variables An independent variable is the variable whose value one actively controls and can change. A dependent variable is the thing whose value then changes as a result. Example: In a study of how introduction of eLearning modules affect the adherence to a program, a researcher could compare the course drop out rate (the ? variables) with the presence of eLearning module (the ? Variable), and attempt to draw a conclusion.
29. Hypothesis: Variables An independent variable is the variable whose value one actively controls and can change. A dependent variable is the thing whose value then changes as a result.
30. Hypothesis testing In statistics, there are only two kinds of hypothesis that are being tested: The null hypothesis or H 0 . The alternative hypothesis or H 1 .
31. Hypothesis testing In education research, the null hypothesis may be used to test differences in intervention and control groups at the end of a program, and the assumption is that no difference exists between the two groups for the outcome variable being compared.
33. Hypothesis testing: Statistical significance The “p” value or alpha is the chance you are willing to take to reject the Ho [not guilty], while you actually should have retained it. The choice of the level is up to the experimenter and may be determined as a function of the phenomenon being studied.
41. Example You may wish to examine if a new hands on simulation based educational program leads to adherence to hand washing protocols [by nurses ….newly hired nurses …etc]. Is this a good research question? Does it have all the parts? What are the hypotheses? Ho H1 Experimental design
42. Example You may wish to examine if a new hands on simulation based educational program leads to adherence to hand washing protocols. Is this a good research question? OK, but not great Does it have all the parts? No control, participants, outcomes. What are the hypotheses? Ho: Old and new programs are the same H1: Old and new are different (note no directionality) Experimental design
43. To test this hypothesis requires 2 conditions to be met (Cook and Campbell; 1979) . 1. Changes in the outcome occur after , rather than before the institution of the program/intervention. 2. The program/intervention are the only reasonable explanation for the changes in the outcome. If there are any other explanations for the observed changes in outcomes the researcher cannot be confident that the presumed cause effect relationship is correct. How do you know if there are other explanations? Experimental design
44. Eliminating these alternative explanations is the purpose of a proper experimental design. These are also known as threats to internal validity (Cook and Campbell 1979). Experimental design
45. Minimizing Threats to Internal Validity: Argument . This is the least effective ways to argue threats to internal validity. - In a paper it is in the intro Design . This is by far the most powerful method to rule out alternative explanations. - In a paper it is in the methods Analysis . The researcher can use various statistical analysis performed on the collected data. - In a paper it is in the methods and results Experimental design
