2.1 Research Questions and Hypothesis

Question 1

Research Questions

Answer 1

• Developed to be tested with scientific research methodologies
• Ultimate goal of advancing new nursing knowledge

Question 2

Clinical Questions

Answer 2

• Developed to seek best existing evidence for practice

Question 3

CREATING A RESEARCH QUESTION STEPS

Question 4

Step 1 - Generate an Idea

Answer 4

Idea is formed from
- Own clinical experiences
- Critical appraisal of scientific literature
- Gaps in existing scientific knowledge
- Personal interest in testing a theory

Question 5

Step 2 - Brainstorm

Answer 5

• Informal brainstorm to generate topic ideas

Question 6

Step 3 Literature Review

Answer 6

• Critically examine studies and reviews to better understand gaps in literature, need for replicating past studies, need for additional information on research focus area

Question 7

Step 4 - Identify Variables

Answer 7

• Identify variables both dependent and independent

Question 8

Step 5 Draft a Question

Answer 8

Things to consider about the question significance in nursing
- Will patients, nurses, family benefit from the study
- Will results be applicable to nursing practice, research, policy or education
- Will the findings fill a gap in nursing knowledge or expand current knowledge of a theory
- Will the study address nursing research priorities

Question 9

Step 6 Finalize the Question

Answer 9

• Examine feasibility of the study to address the question. (Refers to whether the study can be done or not)

FACTORS
- Cost of study
- Availability of participants
- Time constraints
- Availability of facility and equipment
- Cooperation from others
- Interest/expertise of researcher

Question 10

Characteristics of a Fully Developed Research Question

Answer 10

• Independent/Dependent variable
• Population for the study
• Possibility of empirical testing
• Research question is not always stated in a research article. It is often stated as “aim” or “objective”

Question 11

Hypothoesis

Answer 11

• Declarative statement that predicts the relationship between 2 or more variables.
• Developed before a study is conducted to predict outcomes
• Should be simple and concise as well as include variable, population, and expected outcome.
• NOT ALL ARTICLES CONTAIN A HYPOTHESIS
• Exploratory/descriptive studies do not use hypothesis

Question 12

Research Hypothesis (Scientific Hypothesis)

Answer 12

• Studies outcomes and consists of expected relationships between variables
• Can be directional or non-directional
• If research obtains statistically significant data, research hypothesis is supported

Question 13

Statistical Hypothesis (Null Hypothesis)

Answer 13

• States there is no relationship between the independent and dependent variable.
• If data contains statistically significant data, the null hypothesis is rejected
• Rejection of null hypothesis means acceptance of research hypothesis

Question 14

Directional Hypothesis

Answer 14

• Specifies the direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variable
• Young adult woman with breast cancer who engage in mindfulness-based training programs will have “higher” levels of psychosocial functioning

Question 15

Non-Directional Hypothesis

Answer 15

• Indicates existence of relationship between variables but does not state an anticipated direction
• In adult cancer survivors, “there is a relationship” between physical activity levels and the presence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy