Baglione Variables

Understanding the Thesis, Model, and Hypothesis

In the context of academic writing, particularly when crafting a research paper, it is crucial to effectively distill and articulate your argument. This process begins with the thesis, which serves as the foundation for the paper. The completion of the Literature Review (LR) is akin to completing an early segment of a marathon, where your insights lead you toward the formulation of your thesis. The thesis should represent a clear and controversial claim regarding your research question (RQ) that can adapt as new findings emerge throughout your investigation. Thus, it is essential for writers to carefully contemplate their thesis and sub-points, ensuring they reflect both theoretical insights and empirical evidence gleaned from research.

The thesis can be defined as a contentious statement that knowledgeable individuals might dispute. It encompasses normative claims and empirically verifiable contentions. This essence also extends to hypotheses, which are specialized forms of theses that investigate relationships between identified variables. A well-articulated thesis is expected to provide answers to the RQ based on thorough logical reasoning and comprehensive evidence. Writers are encouraged to formulate arguments that are neither trivial nor widely recognized to avoid responses that undermine the significance of their work. This early crafting of the thesis is exploratory; writers should acknowledge that their preliminary assumptions might evolve through the research phase.

Building the Thesis

A clear understanding of your thesis is essential for the successful structuring of your argument. Taking the example of a student named Hannah, her research revolves around the impact of U.S. Supreme Court actions on social change, particularly regarding juvenile sentencing reform. Thus, her thesis should reflect significant arguments derived from a deep engagement with relevant literature. Hannah identifies two critical schools of thought: Constrained Court, which suggests courts have limited influence on societal transformation, and Incremental Progress, which views courts as part of a broader political and social environment driving change. By analyzing these frameworks, Hannah crafts her argument and sub-points regarding how the Supreme Court's decisions can catalyze social change through incremental rulings.

Hannah's evolving thesis demonstrates the process of dissecting and organizing her claims into manageable sub-points. She ultimately refines her argument structure to emphasize behavioral aspects rather than timing, highlighting how advocates exert pressures that lead to judicial reactions and the eventual acceptance of reforms.

Identifying Models

The model in research serves as a visual representation of the argument, crystallizing the relationships between different variables underlying the thesis. It is vital to note that a well-constructed literature review identifies independent variables (factors influencing outcomes) and the dependent variable (the outcome itself). Using Gabriela's research on polarization as an example, her model posits how party and electoral institutions influence the level of polarization in the U.S. political landscape. Each independent variable is articulated carefully, emphasizing the directional flow of causation.

Engaging with models helps ensure that the literature review's findings connect meaningfully to the core argument. The model also serves as a diagnostic tool to verify whether the literature review accurately represented the relationships between concepts and whether it prepared the researcher for empirical inquiry.

Formulating Hypotheses

The hypotheses represent specific expected relationships between independent and dependent variables. They are derived directly from the literature review and reflect insights gained from earlier research. For example, Kevin formulates his hypothesis about media access and its impact on civic activism and uprising strength. Such hypotheses are framed to express how increasing levels of one variable relate positively or negatively to another. Clarity is key, as researchers must distinguish whether they assert direct relationships (e.g., more media access leads to stronger uprisings) or indirect ones (e.g., citizen activism is influenced by media access, which then affects uprising strength).

Hypotheses also need clarity on the nature of the variable relationships: continuous (where values can range along a spectrum) versus categorical (where variables represent distinct categories). Addressing this complexity is crucial for ensuring that these foundational research components are well-understood and articulated in a research design framework.

Conclusion and Application

By synthesizing the concepts of thesis, model, and hypothesis, students can develop comprehensive and compelling arguments in their research papers. The process involves iterating through ideas, refining arguments based on empirical findings, and ensuring that each element connects back to the central research question laid out in the literature review. This iterative reflective writing process not only aids in structuring the research but also underscores the essential step of meticulously organizing thoughts before they get translated into the final manuscript. Students like Hannah and Kevin exemplify the need to embrace complexity while remaining focused on clarity and cohesion in their academic work. The overall message emphasizes that effective thesis, model, and hypothesis formulation requires careful contemplation, iteration, and a willingness to adapt.