Module 3: Research questions and hypothesis

describe what a research question is

\

Research questions are broad ideas that typically ask about an association, difference or causation (prediction).

 

• While research questions can be braod, a hypothesis is very specific and relatied to a testeable investigation in the study

• A research question is a broad question, idea or problme that you wish to research in a research project

how does the research process begin?

Generating research qs and hypothesis is the first step of research process. Out of the research question (developed first) a hypothesis is generated.

 

e.g. research interest -> happiness

Research question:

 

-> Is happiness related to sunshine -> this is an association type of investigation

 

Questions of association are common

Is sunshin associated to happines?

 

-> Are arts student happier than science students -> question of difference

What is difference in happines between science and arts students

 

-> does happiness influence academic performance?  - this is a prediction type

Can we predict happiness based on academic performance?

describe why research questions must be refined in order to be tested

Research questions may come from personal interest, practical problems, observation or theories

Despite where the question comes from - literature search and review is conducted to inform research question in the are, understand previous studies and current developments in the area of interest

Most research questions come from literature search + thinking critically about natural progression of investigatio

explain what the defining features of a good hypothesis are.

Hypotheses are logical, specific, testable, refutable and predictive statements about what will happen in a psycholgoical research study.

 

Next a hypothesis is developed (testable predication):

• Should logically follow from literature review

• Narrow and specifc

• Often ask about relationship between two variables

e.g. -> Higher levels of reported happiness will be releated to higher average daily duration of sunlight exposure.

• Should be testable - must involve observable and measureable phenomena

  • Reported happiness - questionaare, daily duration of sunlight exposure -> diary

• Should be refutable/ falsifiable -> should be phrased such that the research study data could either provide support for it or not

  • e.g. people reporting higher happiness also reported higher exposure to sun -> supports hypothesis

• Predict / state an effect -> should state that there will be a relationship/effect/difference -> never hypothesise that there would be no differnce/ no effect

  • Scientific field focuses on proving phenoma, not stating that it is not existant

  • Hypothesis must take the form of a positive statement of effect