Transcript The Research Question and Objectives

ADS511
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY AND
DATA ANALYSIS
LESSON 3
DEVELOPING RESEARCH
QUESTION, OBJECTIVE,
VARIABLE and HYPOTHESES
Objective of this lecture
After this lecture students should be able to
understand:
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The difference between Research
objective, research questions and research
hypotheses
Variables in research
Purpose Statements, Research Questions,
Research Hypotheses, Research Objectives
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Purpose statement = a declarative
statement that advances the overall
direction or focus for the study.
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Research Questions = Interrogative
statements that narrow the purpose
statement to specific questions that
researchers seek to answer in their study.
Purpose Statements, Research Questions,
Research Hypotheses, Research Objectives
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Research Objective: A statement of intent
for the study that specifies specific goals
that the investigator plans to achieve in a
study.
Research Hypotheses: Declarative
statements in quantitative research. The
investigator makes a prediction about the
outcomes relationship.
Purpose Statement
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Most important statement in research.
The purpose of the study is to…
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Describe
Explain
Explore
Identify
Test the hypothesis
Study a case
Tells the reader what you are going to do in your
research.
Example:The purpose of the study is to determine the factors
that contribute to girls age 8 to 10 to join a gang.
Research Questions
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RQ operationalize the problem statement.
Specifically define the study.
Explains what you will and will not do in your
study.
Example:
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Does a lack of parental supervision after school
contribute to girls joining gangs?
Does a single parent home…
Does poor academic performance…
Does early sexual experience…
Does an urban vs. rural setting…
Research Objectives
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1.
2.
Used most frequently in social science research.
Tell the reader more specifically what you intend
to study and report.
3 objectives is a good number to start with.
Example: The specific objective of this study is
To analyze the factors that contribute to
students performance.
To examine the problems faced by the students
in their study.
Hypothesis
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Null Hypothesis = Ho
Alternative Hypothesis = Ha
Use for experimental and quasiexperimental research only.
Old fashioned terminology.
Example: Increase the time of study will improve student
academic performance.
Distinguishing among various forms of
direction in research
Purpose
Statement
Intent
Overall
Direction
Form
Use
Placement
Research
Hypothesis
Questions
Raise questions
to be answered
Make predictions
about expectations
One or more
sentences
One or more
questions
One or more
questions
Quan & Qual
Research
Quan & Qual
Research
Quan & Qual
Research
End of
Introduction
Research
Objectives
State Goals
One or More
Objectives
Typically
Quantitative
Research
End of the introduction, after the literature
review, or in a separate section of the study
Definition of a Variable
A Variable is a characteristic or attribute that
can be measured
Can be
Measured
(Can be assessed on
an instrument and
recorded on an
instrument)
and
Varies
(Can assume different
values or scores for
different individuals)
Variables
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A Variable is an attribute or characteristic
stated in a specific or applied way
EXAMPLE:
GENDER
male , female
OCCUPATION
Doctor, Lecturer
PERFORMANCE LEVEL
Categorical and Continuous Scores
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A categorical score is a value of a
variable assigned by the researcher into a
small number of categories (e.g. Gender).
Shoebox technique.
A continuous variable is the value of a
variable assigned by the researcher to a
point along a continuum of scores, from low
to high (e.g. Age) A line with intervals.
Families of Variables
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Independent Variable: An attribute or
characteristic that influences or effects an
outcome of the dependent variable.
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Treatment Variable
Measured Variable
Control Variables
Moderating Variables
Nicotine withdrawal effects desire for
smoking
Families of Variables
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Intervening Variables (Mediating
Variables): An attribute or characteristic
that stands between the dependent and
independent variables.
Dependent Variables: An attribute or
characteristic influenced by the
independent variable.
Intervening Variables “Stand Between”
Independent and Dependent Variables
Step 1
Independent
Variable
Dependent
Variable
Example Convenient office hours
Student seeks help
from faculty
for students
Step 2
Example
Step 3
Example
Independent
Variable
Variable
Convenient office hours
for students
Independent
Variable
Convenient office hours
for students
Intervening
Variable
Student becomes willing
to take risks
Intervening
Variable
Student becomes willing
to take risks
Dependent
Variable
Student seeks help
from faculty