The document discusses research problems, purposes, questions, and hypotheses. It defines a research problem as a situation needing improvement or a discrepancy between current and desired states. The purpose is a clear statement of the study's specific goal. A good research problem is interesting, feasible, researchable, significant, and expresses a relationship between variables that can be empirically tested. Research questions guide data collection by describing or examining relationships among variables. Hypotheses predict outcomes based on independent and dependent variables and are testable statements about their relationship. The document also discusses evaluating problems and criteria for good hypotheses.

2. Research problem, Purpose, question and formulation of
Research Hypothesis
Prepared by
Shazia Yasmeen
MSN (2022-2023)
CON NMU Multan

3. IntendedLearningoutcomes
1. Define the research problem.
2. Identify sources of research problem.
3. Formulate a research problem.
4. Evaluate a research problem.
5. Identify criteria of good problem statement
6. Determine the types of the variables.

4. ILO’S Cont.
7. Identify the purpose of the research
hypothesis.
8. Identify the characteristic of good
hypothesis.
9. Determine the types of hypothesis.

5. Introduction:
A research study begins as a problem that
a researcher would like to solve or as
a question that a researcher would like to
answer. Problem formulation is the most
important step in a research process. It
provides direction for the rest of the study.
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

6. Identifying the problem is the initial,
and one of the most significant steps in
research. The research purpose evolves
from the problem and provides direction
for the subsequent steps of the research
process(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

7. Definition of the research problem:
A research problem is a "situation in need of a solution,
improvement, or alteration. OR "a discrepancy between the
way things are and the way they must to be".
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

8. Example
IMPACT OF UNIT MANAGERS’ LEADERSHIP
BEHAVIORS ON STAFF NURSES’ EMPOWERMENT
AND COMMITMENT
IN ALLAMA IQBAL TEACHING HOSPITAL

9. The research purpose is a concise, clear
statement of the specific goal or aim of
the study. The goal of a study might be to
identify, describe, explain, or predict
a solution to a clinical problem.
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

10. Objectives:
1.Determine the leadership behaviors of nurse managers.
2.Determine whether the use of a certain leadership behavior by
nurse managers make a difference in staff nurses’ job
commitment.
3.Determine whether the use of a certain leadership behavior by
nurse managers make a difference in staff nurses’
empowerment.
4.Determine the relationship between staff nurses’
empowerment and organizational commitment.

11. Problem statement specifies what is being
studied, and identifies study variables and
population
IMPACT OF UNIT MANAGERS’ LEADERSHIP
BEHAVIORS ON STAFF NURSES’ EMPOWERMENT
AND COMMITMENT
IN ALLAMA IQBAL TEACHING HOSPITAL

12. Sources of research problem:
1.Clinical experience:
The nurse's every day experience
provides a rich supply of problems for
investigation from clinical observation of
patient, his family, and charts.
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

13. 2. Nursing literature:
Ideas for studies often comes from reading the
nursing literature, including research reports, opinion
articles, and summaries of clinical issues. Research
reports may suggest problem areas indirectly; by
stimulating the reader's imagination, and directly; by
openly what additional research is needed (Denise F.
Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

14. 3. Social issues:
Topics are sometimes suggested by political issues of
relevance to health care community. Idea for study may
stem from a familiarity with social concern
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

15. 4. Theory:
a research problem and purpose could be
formulated to explore or describe a concept
in a theory such as a study to describe the
concept of self care in Orem's theory
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

16. 5. Ideas from external sources:
A research topic may be given as a
direct suggestion, for example a
faculty member may give students a
list of topics from which to choose.
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

17. 6. Replication of studies:
Reviewing the literature is a way to identify
a study to replicate. Replication involves
reproduction or repeating a study to
determine whether similar finding will be
obtained (Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

18. Formulating a research problem:
A research problem is one that can be
studied using quantitative or qualitative
research problems (Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

19. The elements for formulating a research problem
include:
Select a topic by identifying an area of
interest:
The development of a research problem is essentially a
creative process dependent upon imagination, and
insight. Once a research problem has been identified,
the researcher must then narrow down the research
topic and develop a problem statement (Denise F.
Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

20. Review the literature to determine the topic's present
level of knowledge:
A review of relevant articles may bring to light
theoretical framework, methodologies, data collection
tools, and methods of data analysis that have been used
to study the problem.
Evaluate the research problem for feasibility
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

21. How do researchers evaluate a research
problem?
The researcher can ask the following question to
evaluate the proposed problem and decide
whether it should be investigated through the
research process(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

22. ♦ Is the topic interested?
An important criterion in selecting problems for research
is that they be of interest to the researcher because
interest in the problem can only be a strong motivation
for the researcher to pursue the project to its conclusion,
creativity, and with intellectual honesty
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

23. ♦ Is it feasible to conduct research on the problem?
Feasibility of follow a research problem can be
evaluated by the following criteria:
• Availability of methodology.
• Time needed to complete the study.
• Danger to life or physical and mental wellbeing of
subjects.
• Cost of the research.
• Cooperation with others (Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

24. ♦ Is the problem researchable? Ethical
consideration:
Not all problems are agreeable to study through
scientific investigation. Research problem is one that is
suitable for solution through that the collection and
analysis of data that exist in the real world
(Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

25. Is this problem significant enough?
Even though a topic may be interesting in itself, the
researcher must consider whether it is sufficiently
significant to a research study. A good nursing research
problem should have practical and/or theoretical
significant. Its solution should contribute to the
improvement of nursing care or to the advancement of
nursing as a profession (Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

26. Criteria of good problem statement:
There are three criteria for a good problem statement:
1. The problem should express a relation between two
or more variables.
2. The problem statement should be stated clearly.
3. The problem statement should imply the possibility of
empirical testing (applicable) (Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

27. Research question:
A research question is statement of a specific question
the researcher wants to answer to address the research
problem. The research questions guide the type of data
to be collected in the study. The focuses of the research
questions are description of the variables, examination
of relationships among variables, determine differences
between two or more groups regarding selected
variables (Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021)

28. Research Questions:
•What is the leadership behaviors’ of unit managers?
•What is the relationship between unit managers’
leadership behaviors and staff nurses empowerment?
• What is the relationship between staff nurses’
empowerment and staff nurses’ organizational
commitment?

29. Types of the variables:
Variable is a characteristic or attitude that
varies or differs among the persons or
objects being studied. There are two types
of variable; dependent and independent
variable (yadav, 2010).

30. 1. Independent variable :
is the variable that is believed to influence or cause the
dependent variable. In an experimental study the
independent variable is the treatment or intervention that
the researcher manipulates (yadav, 2010).

31. 2. Dependent variable :
is the outcome, response, or behavior that the
researcher wants to predict or explain. Or it is criterion
variable that is hypothesized to be caused by another
variable (yadav, 2010).

32. Research hypothesis:
The hypothesis translates the research problem and
purpose into a clear explanation or predication of the
expected results or outcomes of the study and includes
the variables to be manipulated or measured.
(yadav, 2010)

33. The hypothesis is defined as statement of the expected
relationship between dependent and independent
variables, or it is a researcher predication of the
outcomes of the research study based on the research
.
variables.
(yadav, 2010)

34. Question invites an answer and help to focus the
researcher's and the reader's attention on the kinds of
data that would have to be collected to provide that
answer (Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, 2021).

35. Purpose of the research hypothesis:
• Identify variables to be studies.
• Identify population to be examined.
• Identify types of research to be conducted.
• Direct measurement of variables (yadav, 2010).

36. 1. It is a declarative sentence.
2. It is brief and clearly stated.
3. It identifies at least two variables.
4. It states an expected relationship between
variables
5. It states the nature relationship between variables
(positive, or negative).
6. Implies that the predicated relationship can be
tested (yadav, 2010).
7.

37. Types of hypothesis:
1. Associative versus causal hypothesis.
2. Simple versus complex hypothesis.
3. Non directional versus directional
hypothesis.
4. Null versus research hypothesis.
(yadav, 2010)

38. 1. Associative versus Causal Hypothesis.
a. Associative hypothesis:
Identify relationship among variables in a study but do
not indicate a cause or a relationship between variables.
Associated hypothesis are usually expressed as:
•Variable X is related to variable Y and Z in a specific
population (yadav, 2010).

39. •Variable X increases as variable Y increases in a
specific population. (Predicts a positive relationship).
•Variable X decreases as variable Y decreases in a
specific population. (Predicts a positive relationship).
•Variable X increases as variable Y decreases in a
specific population. (Predicts an inverse relationship).
(yadav, 2010)

40. b. causal hypothesis:
Identify a cause and effect interaction between the
dependent and independent variable. The independent
variable is manipulated by the researcher to cause an
effect on the dependent variable (yadav, 2010).

41. 2. Simple versus Complex Hypothesis:
a) Simple hypothesis:
Researcher predicts the relationship between one
independent variable and one dependent variable.
b) Complex hypothesis:
Researcher predicts the relationship among two or more
independent variables and two or more dependent
variables (yadav, 2010).

42. 3. Nondirectional versus Directional Hypotheses:
a) Nondirectional hypotheses:
The researcher states that a relationship exists but does
not predict the nature of the relationship. e.g. there will
be a relationship between self concept and suicidal
behavior (yadav, 2010).

43. b) Directional hypotheses:
The researcher predicts or states the natural (positive or
negative) of the interaction between two or more
variables.
Directional hypotheses are developed from theoretical
statement, finding from previous studies and clinical
experience. e.g. there will a positive relationship
between trust and self disclosure in marital relationship.
(yadav, 2010)

44. 4. Null hypotheses:
The null hypothesis used when the researcher believes
there is no relationship between two variables. e.g.
there will no difference between men and women in
knowledge about HIV transmission routes
(Manoj Kumar Yadav)

45. References
1. Denise F. Polit and Cheryl, T. B. (2021). Nursing
Research: Generating, AssessingEvidence for Nursing
Practice. wolters kluwer.
2. yadav, M. K. (2010). Textbook of Nursing Research
and Statistics with Nursing Theories. India: lotus
Publisher.