This document discusses developing good research questions and formulating hypotheses. It provides guidelines for creating clear, focused research questions, including making them relevant, manageable, substantial and original. It also discusses sources of research questions, such as observations, preliminary research, and literature. The document outlines steps for developing a research question, including choosing a topic, evaluating potential questions, and considering the audience. It then covers characteristics of a good hypothesis, such as being testable, parsimonious, and related to existing theory. The hypothesis should be stated as a one-sentence prediction to be tested through research.
Research Objective
Research is an organized investigation of a problem in which there is an attempt to gain solution to a problem.
To get right solution of a right problem, clearly defined objectives are very important.
Clearly defined objectives enlighten the way in which the researcher has to proceed.
What is Research Objective?
A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides direction to investigate the variables.
Generally research objective focus on the ways to measure the variables , such as to identify or describe them.
Sometime objectives are directed towards identifying the relationship or difference between two variables.
Research objective are the results sought by the researcher at the end of the research process, i.e. what the researcher will be able to achieve at the end of the research study.
The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study.
Objective should be closely related to the statement of the problem.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Research objectives is a concrete statement describing what the research is trying to achieve. A well-worded objective will be SMART, i.e Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, & Time-bound.
Research objective should be Relevant, Feasible, Logical, Observable, Unequivocal & Measurable.
Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected timeframe &with the available resources.
The objective or research project summarizes what is to be achieved by the study.
The research objectives are the specific accomplishment the researchers hopes to achieve by the study
The objective include obtaining answers to research questions or testing the research hypothesis.
Why need Research Objectives?
The formulation of research objectives will help researcher to:
With clearly defined objectives, the researchers can focus on the study.
Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding & solving problem that he or she has defined.
The formulation of objectives organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of research methodology & will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation, &utilization of data.
Types of Research Objectives
General Objective
General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.
The general objectives of the study state what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in general terms.
General objectives are usually less in number.
This presentation presents for the following purposes
1: It covers the chapter of Research Problem formulation in the subject Research methodology
2: Defining the research problem
3: Significance of the research problem
4: Necessity of the research problem
5: How to find out the research problem
6: Why research problem is very important
7: How a bad formulation of the research problem affects the project or research study
Research Objective
Research is an organized investigation of a problem in which there is an attempt to gain solution to a problem.
To get right solution of a right problem, clearly defined objectives are very important.
Clearly defined objectives enlighten the way in which the researcher has to proceed.
What is Research Objective?
A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides direction to investigate the variables.
Generally research objective focus on the ways to measure the variables , such as to identify or describe them.
Sometime objectives are directed towards identifying the relationship or difference between two variables.
Research objective are the results sought by the researcher at the end of the research process, i.e. what the researcher will be able to achieve at the end of the research study.
The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study.
Objective should be closely related to the statement of the problem.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Research objectives is a concrete statement describing what the research is trying to achieve. A well-worded objective will be SMART, i.e Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, & Time-bound.
Research objective should be Relevant, Feasible, Logical, Observable, Unequivocal & Measurable.
Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected timeframe &with the available resources.
The objective or research project summarizes what is to be achieved by the study.
The research objectives are the specific accomplishment the researchers hopes to achieve by the study
The objective include obtaining answers to research questions or testing the research hypothesis.
Why need Research Objectives?
The formulation of research objectives will help researcher to:
With clearly defined objectives, the researchers can focus on the study.
Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding & solving problem that he or she has defined.
The formulation of objectives organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of research methodology & will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation, &utilization of data.
Types of Research Objectives
General Objective
General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.
The general objectives of the study state what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in general terms.
General objectives are usually less in number.
This presentation presents for the following purposes
1: It covers the chapter of Research Problem formulation in the subject Research methodology
2: Defining the research problem
3: Significance of the research problem
4: Necessity of the research problem
5: How to find out the research problem
6: Why research problem is very important
7: How a bad formulation of the research problem affects the project or research study
Research Questions, Objectives, and HypothesisAshok Pandey
With the objective of
To train the health professionals on health system research proposal development,
To acquaint the participants with health research process, and
To train basic managerial skills required to manage proposed health research.
Research Questions, Objectives, and Hypothesis is important.
hypothesis and type of hypothesis is explained with appropriate examples
Hypotheses and type of hypotheses are explained with appropriate examples
Research hypothesis, null hypothesis, directional hypothesis, non-directional hypothesis, simple hypothesis, complex hypothesis etc
How to Identify the Research Gap While Writing a PhD Dissertation Literature ...PhD Assistance
PhD Assistance gives you tips to Identify Research Gaps in the Literature Review for writing a PhD dissertation.
A Research Gap is a Topic or field for which insufficient data restrict the ability to conclude a research question. If we are looking for a research issue, what is the healthiest beverage for humans? You can discover multiple studies and potential answers to the questions. Research gap identification eventually makes way for new and exciting research.
PhD Assistance offers UK Dissertation Research Topics Services. When you Order Dissertation Services at PhD Assistance, we promise you the following – Plagiarism free, Always on Time, outstanding customer support, written to Standard, Unlimited Revisions support and High-quality Subject Matter Experts.
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A literature review is a
“critical analysis of a segment of a published body of knowledge through summary, classification, and comparison of prior research studies, reviews of literature, and theoretical articles”
Research Questions, Objectives, and HypothesisAshok Pandey
With the objective of
To train the health professionals on health system research proposal development,
To acquaint the participants with health research process, and
To train basic managerial skills required to manage proposed health research.
Research Questions, Objectives, and Hypothesis is important.
hypothesis and type of hypothesis is explained with appropriate examples
Hypotheses and type of hypotheses are explained with appropriate examples
Research hypothesis, null hypothesis, directional hypothesis, non-directional hypothesis, simple hypothesis, complex hypothesis etc
How to Identify the Research Gap While Writing a PhD Dissertation Literature ...PhD Assistance
PhD Assistance gives you tips to Identify Research Gaps in the Literature Review for writing a PhD dissertation.
A Research Gap is a Topic or field for which insufficient data restrict the ability to conclude a research question. If we are looking for a research issue, what is the healthiest beverage for humans? You can discover multiple studies and potential answers to the questions. Research gap identification eventually makes way for new and exciting research.
PhD Assistance offers UK Dissertation Research Topics Services. When you Order Dissertation Services at PhD Assistance, we promise you the following – Plagiarism free, Always on Time, outstanding customer support, written to Standard, Unlimited Revisions support and High-quality Subject Matter Experts.
Learn More:http://bit.ly/3aomOF3
Contact Us:
For Any Queries : Website: https://www.phdassistance.com/
UK NO: +44–1143520021
India No: +91–4448137070
WhatsApp No: +91 91769 66446
Email: info@phdassistance.com
A literature review is a
“critical analysis of a segment of a published body of knowledge through summary, classification, and comparison of prior research studies, reviews of literature, and theoretical articles”
How to Identify the Research Gap While Writing a PhD Dissertation Literature ...PhD Assistance
PhD Assistance gives you tips to Identify Research Gaps in the Literature Review for writing a PhD dissertation.
A Research Gap is a Topic or field for which insufficient data restrict the ability to conclude a research question. If we are looking for a research issue, what is the healthiest beverage for humans? You can discover multiple studies and potential answers to the questions. Research gap identification eventually makes way for new and exciting research.
PhD Assistance offers UK Dissertation Research Topics Services. When you Order Dissertation Services at PhD Assistance, we promise you the following – Plagiarism free, Always on Time, outstanding customer support, written to Standard, Unlimited Revisions support and High-quality Subject Matter Experts.
Learn More:http://bit.ly/3aomOF3
Contact Us:
For Any Queries : Website: https://www.phdassistance.com/
UK NO: +44–1143520021
India No: +91–4448137070
WhatsApp No: +91 91769 66446
Email: info@phdassistance.com
Due Dec 8Setting Up Your ResearchRead and answer the questions hig.docxjacksnathalie
Due Dec 8Setting Up Your Research
Read and answer the questions highlighted in color of yellow 150 to 200 words and then answer the additional question in blue all others highlighted in yellow
Respond to the following exercises from Chapter One of The Literature Review in 150 to 200 words each. For the Additional Question, record the research and null hypotheses for your project. Post References if used
· Exercise 1.1: Discovering the Subject of Your Interest or Issue of Inquiry
· Exercise 1.2: Understanding the Personal Viewpoint
· Exercise 1.3: Selecting the Focus of Your Study
· Exercise 1.5: Developing Your Interest Statement
Additional Question: What are your research and null hypotheses?
Chapter One
Step One: Select a Topic
Task 1. Choose a Research Interest
Most applied research begins by selecting an everyday problem,
interest, or concern for further study. Selecting an interest for study
needs great care and forethought. As the opening quote says: “Hoe
in haste, harvest in tears.” Selecting a suitable interest for research is
critical to the success of the project. This search begins with personal
reflection that uncovers an interest.
Research interests come mainly from the researcher’s curiosity.
Various professional and public settings provide the context for theseconcerns and present fruitful opportunities for the discovery of a formal
research topic. If one’s own introspection does not provide an
issue, other avenues are available. Topic suggestions can come from
experts knowledgeable in the academic disciplines or from those who
are skilled practitioners in the field. Perhaps reading various academic
and professional trade journals can uncover areas for further
research. Frequently, journal articles include suggestions for further
research. Tapping into media and professional association reports
about current issues will also uncover research alternatives. Also, the
current national, state, or local debates and initiatives concerning
your professional field can become research interests. Finally, you
can seek issues from your applied field.
Next, identify and use the scientific principles or theories of
your chosen area to address the issue. For example, what theories
in cognitive psychology speak to the developmental learning
abilities of students? What does sociological theory predict about
group behavior? How does cultural anthropological theory provide
an understanding about the culture of the work community?
The theoretical models in the various social sciences can always
provide new insights. In fact, there are many places to find
research interests. The following provides a summary of possible
Exercises
Throughout this text, you will find a series of exercises to help in
the various tasks of developing a literature review. The first four
exercises in this chapter employ free writes. A free write is spontaneous
writing done without reference to notes or outlines. Its purpose is
to explore what you have already int ...
The nature of qualitative research formulating research questio.docxdennisa15
The nature of qualitative research: formulating research questions and developing a literature review
Dr Jo Cartwright
Outline for today
Research aims and objectives
Literature reviews
Exercises
Analyse good and bad examples of aims and objectives
Handout – developing your own aims and objectives
Analyse good and bad examples of student literature reviews
Literature review analysis of 5-10 journal articles of your choice
Thinking about your research area
Will be conducting a dissertation next year
Seems a long way off but it is worth giving yourself a good deal of time to think about what you want to conduct your research on
Also can use this module as a ‘testing ground’ to develop your initial ideas and receive feedback
Importance of research questions
Guide your literature search
Guide your decisions about the kind of research design to employ
Guide your decisions about what data to collect and from whom
Guide your analysis of the data
Guide your writing up of the data
Stop you from going off on tangents
Possible sources of research questions
Opposing theoretical perspectives
Contrasting perspectives on women’s choice or structural barriers explaining their lack of progression into SM jobs.
The existing literature
Gaps in the gender equality literature on barriers of SPL for homosexual couples in the workplace
Different organisational structures
Barriers for SPL take-up in flexible vs traditional organisational structures
New methods or theories in new settings
Barriers for SPL take up in the gig economy
New social and technical developments
The role of Brexit on recruitment and retention in xxx industry, or organisational responses to the ageing workforce in xxx industry.
Personal experience
Aesthetic labour in retail
SM = SENIOR MANAGEMENT; SPL = SHARED PARENTAL LEAVE
6
Formulating research questions
Most students want to conduct research into areas that are of personal interest to them
Start out with a general research area or objective
This should then be narrowed down to develop a tighter focus out of which research questions can be developed
Very open ended research is risky and leads to too much data and confusion when writing up
No or poor research questions = poor research
Framework for crafting research questions
Identifying a research question flow - chart
I don’t have a research question, where do I start? Narrow down a research area of interest
1) Narrow down an area of interest (i.e. Growth theory, monetary policy, fiscal policy etc.)
2) Within that area of interest try to answer a research question that:
Has either not been addressed before;
Or has been addressed but that you could extend in a significant way (i.e. new data-set, different econometric/theoretical approach etc.);
Or pioneer a new research area of economics (not recommended)
Note: before you identify a research question it is crucial that you narrow down a research area of interest!
Literature review ( when I don’t have a research q.
The nature of qualitative research formulating research questio.docxarnoldmeredith47041
The nature of qualitative research: formulating research questions and developing a literature review
Dr Jo Cartwright
Outline for today
Research aims and objectives
Literature reviews
Exercises
Analyse good and bad examples of aims and objectives
Handout – developing your own aims and objectives
Analyse good and bad examples of student literature reviews
Literature review analysis of 5-10 journal articles of your choice
Thinking about your research area
Will be conducting a dissertation next year
Seems a long way off but it is worth giving yourself a good deal of time to think about what you want to conduct your research on
Also can use this module as a ‘testing ground’ to develop your initial ideas and receive feedback
Importance of research questions
Guide your literature search
Guide your decisions about the kind of research design to employ
Guide your decisions about what data to collect and from whom
Guide your analysis of the data
Guide your writing up of the data
Stop you from going off on tangents
Possible sources of research questions
Opposing theoretical perspectives
Contrasting perspectives on women’s choice or structural barriers explaining their lack of progression into SM jobs.
The existing literature
Gaps in the gender equality literature on barriers of SPL for homosexual couples in the workplace
Different organisational structures
Barriers for SPL take-up in flexible vs traditional organisational structures
New methods or theories in new settings
Barriers for SPL take up in the gig economy
New social and technical developments
The role of Brexit on recruitment and retention in xxx industry, or organisational responses to the ageing workforce in xxx industry.
Personal experience
Aesthetic labour in retail
SM = SENIOR MANAGEMENT; SPL = SHARED PARENTAL LEAVE
6
Formulating research questions
Most students want to conduct research into areas that are of personal interest to them
Start out with a general research area or objective
This should then be narrowed down to develop a tighter focus out of which research questions can be developed
Very open ended research is risky and leads to too much data and confusion when writing up
No or poor research questions = poor research
Framework for crafting research questions
Identifying a research question flow - chart
I don’t have a research question, where do I start? Narrow down a research area of interest
1) Narrow down an area of interest (i.e. Growth theory, monetary policy, fiscal policy etc.)
2) Within that area of interest try to answer a research question that:
Has either not been addressed before;
Or has been addressed but that you could extend in a significant way (i.e. new data-set, different econometric/theoretical approach etc.);
Or pioneer a new research area of economics (not recommended)
Note: before you identify a research question it is crucial that you narrow down a research area of interest!
Literature review ( when I don’t have a research q.
The material can be used without any restriction wha so ever is. It is usefu for teachrers, students and practioners. The contents can be relicated, reprinted but shall not be used for trade.
Running Head FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY 1 F.docxwlynn1
Running Head: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY
1
FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY
2Chapter 3A Selecting a Problem and Reviewing the Research
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT IN THIS CHAPTER:
· • How to select a research problem
· • Defining and sorting out idea after idea until one fits your interests
· • The importance of personal experience in selecting a problem
· • The steps in reviewing the literature
· • Different sources of information and how to use them
· • How to use journals, abstracts, and indices
· • The difference between primary and secondary resources
· • Using a synthesis of literature
· • How scholarly journals work
· • Using the Internet to complete your literature review
So here you are, in the early part of a course that focuses on research methods, and now you have to come up with a problem that you are supposed to be interested in! You are probably so anxious about learning the material contained in your professor’s lectures and what is in this volume that you barely have time to think about anything else.
If you stop for a moment and let your mind explore some of the issues in the behavioral and social sciences that have piqued your interest, you will surely find something that you want to know more about. That is what the research process is all about—finding out more about something that is, in part, already known.
Once you select an area of interest, you are only part of the way there. Next comes the statement of this interest in the form of a research question followed by a formal hypothesis. Then it is on to reviewing the literature, a sort of fancy phrase that sounds like you will be very busy! A literature review involves library time online or actually there, note taking, and organizational skills (and of course writing), but it provides a perspective on your question that you cannot get without knowing what other work has been done as well as what new work needs to be done.
But hold on a minute! How is someone supposed to have a broad enough understanding of the field and spew forth well-formed hypotheses before the literature is reviewed and then become familiar with what is out there? As poet John Ciardi wrote, therein “lies the rub.”
The traditional philosophers and historians of science would have us believe that the sequence of events leading up to a review of what has been done before (as revealed in the literature) is as shown in Figure 3A.1a. This sequence of steps is fine in theory, but as you will discover, the actual process does not go exactly in the manner shown in the figure.
The research question and research hypothesis are more an outgrowth of an interaction between the scientist’s original idea and an ongoing, thorough review of the literature (good scientists are always reading), as you can see in Figure 3A.1b. This means that once you formulate a hypothesis, it is not carved in stone but can be altered to fit what the review of the literature may reflect, as well as any change in ideas you ma.
Diabetes triad, physiology, role of physical activity, effects of exercise, clinical implications, potential adverse effect of exercise, evaluation, types of physical activity, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, summary
What is biofeedback therapy and who can benefit? Biofeedback therapy is a non-drug treatment in which patients learn to control bodily processes that are normally involuntary, such as muscle tension, blood pressure, or heart rate........
Rehabilitation psychology, definition, scope and methods. Functions of rehabilitation psychology, work setting of rehabilitation psychologists
Psychological approach to rehabilitation: assessment, diagnosis, treatment and certification
Role of psychologist in disability rehabilitation.
Overview of Sullivan interpersonal theory, biography, tensions, dynamisms, personifications, levels of cognition, stages of development, psychological disorders, psychotherapy, salience, critique of Sullivan
Overview of Fromm humanistic Psychoanalysis, biography, assumptions, human needs, the burden of freedom, character orientations, personality disorders, psychotherapy, methods of investigation, related research, critique, concept of humanity
Definition of forensic Psychology
History of forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology in court
Subfields of forensic Psychology
Difference in the function of forensic and clinical psychology
Difference in forensic and clinical assessment
Roles of forensic Psychology
Ethical considerations
Mood and affect
Feeling and emotion
Normal emotional reactions
Classification of emotion
Abnormal emotional reactions
Abnormal expression of emotion
Abnormal predispositions
Morbid expression of emotion
Disorder of emotion
What is consciousness
Characteristics of consciousness
Dimension of consciousness
Disturbance of consciousness
Active and passive consciousness
Distractibility
Dream like change of Consciousness
Unconsciousness
Memory : immediate memory, short term memory, long term memory
Autobiographical memory
Organic impairment of memory
Psychogenic amnesia
Organic amnesias
Other amnesias
Organic impairment of memory
Various disturbances of memory
Confabulation
Screen memory
Subjective motor Disorders
Objective motor Disorders
Disorders of adaptive movements
Disorders of reactive movements
Disorders of goal directed movements
Disorders of non adaptive movements
Sterotype
Parakinesia
Involuntary movements
Tremors, chorea, athetosis, spasmodic torticollis
Abnormal induced movements
Motor speech disturbances
Disorders of posture
Abnormal complex patterns of behaviour
Movement Disorders associated with antipsychotic medication
Affect and Mood
Describing affect: Type / quality, Range / variability, Degree / intensity, Stability / reactivity, Congruence, Appearance
Affect has three functions
Describing mood: Type / quality, Stability, Pattern of mood disturbance
Emotion, Classification of emotion, Normal emotional reactions, Abnormal emotional reactions, Abnormal reaction of emotion, Morbid expression of emotion, Communication of mood, Categories of emotion, Pathological changes in mood, Feeling of loss, Anhedonia, Feeling of impending disaster, Ecstasy, Feelings attached with the perception of objects, Feelings directed towards people, Free floating emotion, Experience and expression of emotion, Vital feelings, Religious feelings, Manic Depressive mood, Suicidal thoughts, Depersonalization, Internal restlessness, Cyclothymia and related conditions, Depression and loss, Grief, Helplessness and hopelessness, Mania, Manic thoughts
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology:
Ethnobotany in herbal drug evaluation,
Impact of Ethnobotany in traditional medicine,
New development in herbals,
Bio-prospecting tools for drug discovery,
Role of Ethnopharmacology in drug evaluation,
Reverse Pharmacology.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
How to Split Bills in the Odoo 17 POS ModuleCeline George
Bills have a main role in point of sale procedure. It will help to track sales, handling payments and giving receipts to customers. Bill splitting also has an important role in POS. For example, If some friends come together for dinner and if they want to divide the bill then it is possible by POS bill splitting. This slide will show how to split bills in odoo 17 POS.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
3. Research Questions
Research questions help writers focus their
research by providing a path through the
research and writing process. The specificity of a
well-developed research question helps writers avoid
the “all-about” paper and work toward supporting a
specific, arguable thesis.
Creating a research question is a task. Good
research questions are formed and worked on, and are
rarely simply found. You start with what interests
you, and you refine it until it is workable. There is
no recipe for the perfect research question, but there
are bad research questions. The following guidelines
highlight some of the features of good questions.
4. Good research questions are
Relevant: Arising from issues raised in literature
and/or practice, the question will be of academic and
intellectual interest.
Manageable: You must be able to access your sources
of data, and to give a full and nuanced answer to your
question.
Substantial and original: The question should
showcase your imaginative abilities, however far it
may be couched in existing literature.
Fit for assessment: Remember, you must satisfy the
learning outcomes of your course. Your question must
be open to assessment, as well as interesting.
5. Good research questions are
Clear and simple: A clear and simple research
question will become more complex as your research
progresses. Start with an uncluttered question then
unpeel the layers in your reading and writing.
Interesting: Make your question interesting, but try
to avoid questions which are convenient or flashy.
Remember, you will be thinking about this question
for an entire year.
Hypothesize. After you’ve come up with a question,
think about what the path you think the answer will
take. At this step, you are well on your way to having a
focus for your research, constructing a thesis, and
then writing out your argument in a paper.
6. Steps to developing a research
question
Choose an interesting general topic. Even directed
academic research should focus on a topic in which the
writer is at least somewhat personally invested.
Do some preliminary research on your general topic.
Do a few quick searches in current periodicals and
journals on your topic to see what’s already been done
and to help you narrow your focus. What questions does
this early research raise?
Consider your audience. For most college papers, your
audience will be academic, but always keep your audience
in mind when narrowing your topic and developing your
question. Would that particular audience be interested in
this question?
7. Steps to developing a research
question
Start asking questions. Taking into consideration all
of the above, start asking yourself open-ended “how”
and “why” questions about your general topic.
Evaluate your question. After you’ve got a question or
even a couple of question down on paper, evaluate
these questions to realize if they would be effective
research questions or if they need more revising.
8. Sources of research question
Research begins with asking questions.
Curiosity about a casual observation that you have
made could initiate a series of questions.
For example, you may notice that youth spend much
time watching television and that many of the
television programs include violence. So you may
ask yourself, “Does watching television violence
have a negative impact on personality
development?” This is the beginning of a good
research question.
Topics for research questions often begin with your
own curiosity. This curiosity may be fuelled by your
own personal experiences or observations.
9. Sources of research question
A researcher needs to become familiar with the research
findings that already exist. These findings are most likely to
be reported in books and journal articles. Several strategies
for obtaining this information are outlined in the following
paragraphs.
1. Professors/Teacher/Research Scientist: Ask the faculty in the
psychology department whether they have any information
regarding your research question or whether they know of
anyone doing research on the topic (this is also a good way to
meet the faculty). Often, the research interests of the faculty
are listed on a department Web site. Most faculty that we know
enjoy discussing possible research topics with students and will
often provide suggestions that help to shape and focus the topic. If
the topic is of interest to the faculty member, he or she may
suggest that you take an independent study course under his
or her supervision. You may encounter these researchers at a
scientific conference where you attend their research presentation.
10. Sources of research question
2. Textbooks: Look in the subject index of a textbook in your
area of interest. The text will often include the names of
researchers and citations of books or articles. For example,
look in a Developmental Psychology textbook for “television.”
You will undoubtedly find a section that discusses the impact
of television on development.
3. Databases: Use keywords to search relevant databases.
Several very good electronic databases contain references
to journal articles or books. Some databases that are useful
for behavioral research include PsycLit, PsycINFO,
ProQuest, JSTOR Scholarly Journals, MedLine,
Psychological Abstract and Sociological Abstracts. After
you get access to a database, you can search it for references.
You can search by author, year, or other means.
4. Internet:
11. Sources of research question
4. Internet: The Internet can be a source of research ideas.
However, it takes some skill to search the Internet
efficiently.
First, much of the information on the Internet has no
relation to science, and it can be very
difficult to search a topic without hitting these sites.
Second, some of the information on the Internet appears to be
scientific when it is not. You must critically evaluate each
site. For example, is the site located at a university or a known
research agency? What are the credentials of the researcher(s)?
Are there product advertisements at the site? Also, certain
Internet search engines are more focused on scholarly
information. As of this writing, two useful search engines are
Ingenta, Galaxy and Google Scholar.
13. Research Hypothesis
A research hypothesis is a statement of
expectation or prediction that will be tested by
research.
Before formulating your research hypothesis,
read about the topic of interest to you. From
your reading, which may include articles, books
and/or cases, you should gain sufficient information
about your topic that will enable you to narrow or
limit it and express it as a research question.
The research question flows from the topic that you
are considering. The research question, when stated
as one sentence, is your Research Hypothesis.
14. Research Hypothesis
In some disciplines, the hypothesis is called a
“thesis statement.” Other words for
“hypothesized” are “posited,” “theorized” or
“proposed”.
In your hypothesis, you are predicting the
relationship between variables. Through the
disciplinary insights gained in the research
process throughout the year, you “prove” your
hypothesis.
This is a process of discovery to create greater
understandings or conclusions. It is not a strict
proof as in logic or mathematics.
15. Hints for the formulation of your
hypothesis:
1. Be sure to read on the topic to familiarize
yourself with it before making a final decision.
2. As noted, a research hypothesis is more than
just a topic. It has two elements (variables) that
are in relation to each other. Remember that,
within the word "hypothesis" is the word "thesis."
Your hypothesis is what you propose to “prove”
by your research. As a result of your research, you
will arrive at a conclusion, a theory, or
understanding that will be useful or applicable
beyond the research itself.
16. Hints for the formulation of your
hypothesis:
3. Avoid judgmental words in your hypothesis.
Value judgments are subjective and are not
appropriate for a hypothesis. You should strive to be
objective. Therefore the use of personal opinion is
to be avoided.
4. Your hypothesis must involve an issue or question
that cannot be answered exclusively by the
discipline. It is best to choose a hypothesis
where you already have some level of
familiarity with the disciplines that are most
relevant to the topic.
17. Hints for the formulation of your
hypothesis:
5. Be sure that each term in your hypothesis is
clearly understood and defined; do not deal in
generalities or assume that the reader knows the
meaning of a technical term.
6. Know that your hypothesis may change over time as
your research progresses.
18. Your will be expressing your
hypothesis in 3 ways:
1. As a one-sentence hypothesis.
2. As a research question.
3. As a title for your paper
19. Characteristics of Hypothesis
1. The hypothesis should be conceptually clear: A good
research hypothesis is one which is based upon
operationally defined concepts.
2. The hypothesis must be testable: It should be
formulated in a way that can be tested directly and found
to be probably false.
3. The hypothesis should be economical and parsimonious:
If several hypothesis are offered to test a research
problem, the more economical and parsimonious ones
should be preferred to hypothesis involving higher
monetary expenses.
20. Characteristics of Hypothesis
4. The hypothesis should be related to the existing
body of theory and fact: If the investigator advances a
hypothesis, which seems to him interest but which is not
related to the existing body of theory of facts, it cannot
be a good research hypothesis. For example, the
investigator develops a that skin color produces a
difference in intelligence then it may be an interesting
hypothesis but may not be scientifically sound because
no theory has proved so.
5. The hypothesis should have logical unity and
comprehensiveness: If several hypothesis can be
formulated regarding the same research problem, the
most comprehensive one should be preferred.
21. Characteristics of Hypothesis
6. The hypothesis should be general in scope: A general
hypothesis permits several deductions and thus, explains
several facts at a time. However, very broad or very
general hypothesis cannot be good research hypothesis
because such hypothesis are often vague and cannot be
tested.
7. The hypothesis should be related to available
scientific tools and techniques: A hypothesis about
which data cannot be collected because no scientific
tools or techniques are available, cannot be a good
research hypothesis.
8. The hypothesis should be accord with other
hypotheses of the same field: