Chapter 3 - Initiate Social Research

Question 1

What is Literature Review?

Answer 1

1. It is a process of examining published materials that are relevant to the problem statement.
   
   2. It is about looking at what research has been done in a specific field of study. The purpose is to check if it has been researched by others or what have others researched so far.

Question 2

What are the Purposes of Literature Review?

Answer 2

1. To narrow the topic to a research problem that can be studied within the available time and resources.
   
   2. To focus on those studies that have direct relevance to the problem statement.
   3. To identify gaps in knowledge
   4. To identify a suitable approach/ method to conduct the study.
   5. Not to repeat mistakes made by other researchers who have conducted similar studies.

Question 3

What is the Process of Literature Review?

Answer 3

1. Frame the research question
   * Make sure the research question is manageable
   * Craft the problem statement
   
   2. Search relevant bodies of literature
      
      • Find materials relevant to the subject being explored
   3. Manage search results
      
      • Determine which literature make a significant contribution to the understanding of the topic.
      • Place each work in the context of its contribution to the understanding of the subject under review
   4. Synthesise the research literature
      
      • Discuss the findings and conclusions of pertinent literature
      • Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration
   5. Write an assessment of the literature
      
      • Start with the objectives of the literature review.
      • Divide the work under review into categories
      • Explain how each work is similar to and how it varies from the others
      • Conclude which pieces are best considered in their argument, are most convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest contribution to the understanding and development of their area of research

Question 4

What are the Characteristics of a Good Literature Review?

Answer 4

1. It offers an explanation of how the researcher can contribute towards the existing body of scholarship through their research
   
   2. It provides a brief summary of the most relevant and interesting parts of the research.

Question 5

What is a problem statement?

Answer 5

• The problem statement is a description of an existing issue that needs to be addressed. The purpose of the problem statement is to introduce the reader to the significance of the study and it provides the context for the study. It also defines the parameters of what is to be investigated.
  
  • A well-defined research problem is a crucial part of the study because it will enable the researcher to be on the track; an ill-defined problem may create hurdles for the researcher to achieve the purpose of the study.
  • The problem statement should be just one sentence (with few paragraphs of elaboration on the problem).

Question 6

How do you define a problem statement?

Answer 6

1. State the problem in a general way.
2. Understand the nature of the problem by reading available literature on the topic.
3. Develop the ideas through discussions with others on the topic.
4. Rephrase the problem statement into a working proposition.

Example:
The frequency of job layoffs is creating fear, anxiety, and a loss of productivity in middle management workers.

Question 7

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 7

1. A hypothesis is an educated prediction that provides an explanation for a problem, an observation or a phenomenon. It is the researcher’s prediction of the relationship between two or more variables.
   
   2. Hypothesis builds on the research question. It is a statement; it is not a question.

Question 8

What are the characteristics of a Good hypothesis?

Answer 8

1. Is usually crafted in one or a few concise statements and should state the expected pattern, relationship or difference between two or more variables.
   
   2. Is a testable, measurable and observable result or condition. It can be confirmed or rejected.

Question 9

What are the examples of a Good hypothesis?

Answer 9

1. ‘If the amount of light is increased during studying, then the students’ performance on the test scores will decrease.’
   
   2. I hypothesise that adults with Anxious-Avoidant and Anxious-Ambivalent attachment styles experience a higher rate of disagreements and conflicts with their supervisors and colleagues as compared to adults with Secure attachment styles.
   3. I hypothesize that when compared with abstinence-based education, adolescents who receive comprehensive sexuality education will get more knowledge about sex and increase the use of condoms and contraceptives to protect themselves against STIs. They will also learn to delay sexual initiation and get access to accurate information regarding relationships, love and sexual behaviour. As a result, adolescents as they mature into adulthood, make better decisions regarding their sexual health and protecting themselves against STIs.
   4. We hypothesise that children from families experiencing severe financial stress are more likely to have poorer academic achievement than those experiencing little or no financial stress.

Question 10

What are the examples of a bad hypothesis?

Answer 10

‘If bright light is used during studying, then students’ performance on the tests will decrease.’

Question 11

What is a Research Question?

Answer 11

1. Research questions outline the specific concern or issue that will be studied, and form the groundwork on which the entire research project is based on.
   
   2. Research questions can be answered directly through the analysis of data. Without good research questions, the study may lack focus and clarity, and may be prone to methodological or design errors.

Question 12

Examples of Research Question

Answer 12

1. The study aims to understand the association between workplace interpersonal relationships and adults with different attachment styles in Singapore.
   
   2. This paper aims to present a comparison between the effectiveness of abstinence-based education and comprehensive sexuality education in improving knowledge of sexual health and reducing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in Singapore.
   3. This study aims to understand between family financial stress and the academic achievements of Primary 1 to 3 children in Singapore.