Research Question and Hypothesis: Objectives: Identify variables in the study, to formulate research question and hypothesis Formulate research question, which is to be answered statistically and logically Formulate null hypothesis and test able research hypothesis, which is to be answered statistically. Explore and select the appropriate statistical measures for selected research question Justify the appropriateness of selected statistical test, chosen for the testing question and hypothesis Interpret the selected statistical test, chosen for the testing question and hypothesis in statistical manner Inference the selected statistical test, chosen for the testing question and hypothesis in statistical manner. Variable: A characteristic, attribute of a person or object that differs among the persons or object being studied (eg. Age, sex, blood type etc.) Classification of research variables: One variable study/ univariate study “what sources of work stress are identified by thoracic care unit nurses?” Two variables study/bivariate study One is dependent and the other is independent Ex. Is there a correlation between the number of sources of stress reported by nurses in a thoracic intensive care. The independent variable is “ the number of reported sources of stress.” and the dependent variable is the desire to leave to leave employment in the thoracic intensive care unit.” Multi-variables study/ multivariate study More than two variables are examined in a study Ex. Why clients do not take their medications as directed after they are discharged? Why do nursing students pass/fail the examination? Types of Variables: Independent variable The “cause” or the variable thought to influence the dependent variable in experimental research it is the variable manipulated by the researcher. Dependent variable The “effect” a response or behavior that is influenced by the independent variable; sometimes called criterion variable. Intervening variables Comes between dependent and independent variable Extraneous variable Influence can be change Dichotomous variable Two choice or result (male/female) Polychotomous variables Multiple variables Research Question: Specific question that the researcher expects to be answered in a study. Should specify the variables and the population that are being studied Example; “Is there a difference in anxiety levels of women about to undergo hysterectomy between those women who receive a back rub and those who not receive a back rub?” Formulating a Research Question: Research questions for studies that examine more than one variable are usually written as correlational statement or comparative statement. 1. Correlational Statement (dependent and independent) “ Is there a correlation between anxiety and midterm scores of baccalaureate nursing students?”