Ch. 2 (11th ed)

What is a problem statement in research?

A clear, concise statement outlining the research question or issue to be investigated.

What are the sources of research problems?

Sources can include personal experience, observation, theory, or existing literature.

Why is it important to have a well-defined research problem?

It provides direction, helps focus research efforts, and facilitates the development of appropriate research questions and hypotheses.

What are the types of research questions?

Descriptive, relational, or causal.

What characteristics define good research questions?

They should be clear, concise, focused, answerable, and feasible.

What is a hypothesis?

A tentative statement about the relationship between variables.

What are the two main types of hypotheses?

Research hypothesis (predicts a relationship) and null hypothesis (states no relationship).

What are the characteristics of good hypotheses?

They should be testable, clear, concise, and specific.

What does operationalization mean in research?

Defining variables in terms of how they will be measured or manipulated.

Why is operationalization important?

It ensures consistency and allows for replication of the research.

What are the main components of a research proposal?

Introduction, literature review, methodology, and references.

What is the purpose of a research proposal?

To outline the research plan and obtain necessary approvals or funding.

What is pilot testing in research?

Conducting a small-scale study to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the research design.

What ethical considerations must be taken into account in research?

Ensuring ethical conduct, obtaining informed consent from participants, and protecting their privacy.

What is the significance of time management in research?

It involves developing a realistic timeline for completing research and ensuring deadlines are met.

What should a research budget include?

Allocation of resources for equipment, materials, and personnel.

What is a data analysis plan?

Determining the appropriate statistical methods for analyzing the data collected.

What criteria should a good research problem meet?

Novelty, researchability, and significance.

How can a research problem be narrowed down?

By focusing on a specific aspect of the broader issue, considering scope, feasibility, and potential contributions.

What role does the literature review play in research?

It helps understand the current state of knowledge, identifies gaps, and informs the development of research questions.

What are research objectives?

Specific, measurable goals that the study aims to achieve, aligned with research questions and hypotheses.

Why is clarity in the research problem important?

It guides the development of research design, methodology, and analysis, ensuring the study remains focused.

What is the importance of developing clear research questions and hypotheses?

They guide the direction of the study and the methods used for data collection and analysis.