G11 2S MT: Variables, Guidelines to Experimental Research, Research Questions, & SMART

Variables

These are the basic elements that are observable & measurable.

Independent variable

Dependent variable

2 Types of Variables

Independent variable

- "assumed cause" for any change in a situation

Dependent variable

- "assumed effect" of another variable

- change that occurs in the study when 1 or more factors are changed, or when an intervention is introduced

Scientific names should be in parentheses & italicized

Abbreviations are not allowed

Variables should be included

Inverted pyramid structure (if the title is more than one line)

Content of the research should be included in the title

Obvious phrases should not be stated (ex. "The study", "The analysis" etc.)

Parentheses form

15 substansive words > title

8 Guidlines in Making a Research Title

Manageable by Gr11-12 students

Animal friendly

Difficultly level is appropriate

Environment friendly

IV (Independent variable) should be feasible to make a dependent variable

Original

Relevant

Ethical principles are upholded

Scrap materials are used

Qatar based materials are used

10 Guidlines in Choosing a Research Topic

Research problem

- These could be conditions you want to improve, or difficulties you want to eliminate.

- These are questions for which you want to answer, information, or gaps you wish to fill, or theories you wish to validate.

- It is an important reason for any research, that the researcher attempts to answer.

- without this problem the investigation can't proceed

Research question

- Aka the "investigative questions" and it shows the main problem and the sub-problems to be solved in the research process

- Set of SMART questions which are to be answered in the study

Main problem

- Shows the objective of the research paper

- The general statement and is stated in declarative form

Sub problem

- Shows the measurable variables related in answering the main problem

- Stated in interrogative form

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Time bound

SMART stands for

Specific

- questions are written in a precise way, thay anyone reading it will most likely interpret it the same way.

- The questions must be clear and unequivocal (only having 1 meaning)

Measurable

- It means that each question must include measurable questions

- Questions should be answerable in quanitifiable terms

- the use of instruments and tools in collecting data are considered (ex. weight, mass, etc.)

Attainable

- questions should be achievable and realistic to answer

- consider the finance, time frame, and capability of the researchers to answer the question

Relevant

- questions should be relevant and timely

- questions must be significant to present situations and problems

Time bound

The questions should be completed and answered within a reasonable time.