Chapter 4- Research Probs, Questions and Hypotheses

Question 1

Topic of Phenomenon

Answer 1

Topic to study

Question 2

Research Problem

Answer 2

Enigmatic or trouble condition.

Researchers identify a research problem within a broad topic of interest.

The purpose of research is to “solve” the problem- or contribute to its solution- by generating relevant, high-quality evidence

Question 3

Problem statement

Answer 3

Researchers articulate the problem in a problem statement that also presents a rationale for the study group

articulation of what is problematic and is the impetus for the research

Often begins with the very first sentence after the abstract.

Express the dilemma or troubling situation that needs investigation and that provides a rationale for the new inquiry.
A good problem states is well structured formulation of what is problematic, what “needs fixing” or waht is poorly understood.

Especially for quantiattive studies, often have most of the following 6 components:

1) Prob identified
2) background
3) scope of prob
4) consequences of the prob
5) knowledge gap
6) proposed solutions

These components together form an ARGUMENT for the study- researchers try to persuade readers that the rationale for undertaking the study is sound.

Prob statement is usually interwoven with supportive evidence for the research literature.

Question 4

Statement of purpose

Answer 4

Or- pUrPoSe StAtEmEnT

Summarizes the goals of the study, worded declaratively.

Usually stated toward the end of the introduction

In quantitative studies the statement of purpose identifies the key study variables and their possible interrelationships as well as population of interest.

In qualitatitve studies, the statement of puruse indicates the key concept or phenomenon and the people under study.

BUZZ WORDS typically associated with the type of study:

Quantitative:
Experimental design: test, evaluate
Nonexperimental design: examine, explore

Qualitative:
Grounded theory: Processes; social structures; social interactions
Phenomenologic studies: Experience; lived experience; meaning; essence
Ethnographic studies: Culture; roles; lifeway; cultural behavior

Words to avoid in a statement of purpose: prove, demonstrate, show- suggest bias; determine- research methods nevr provide definitive answers

Question 5

Research Questions

Answer 5

Specific queries researchers want to answer in addressing the problem

Guide the types of data collected in a study

Quantitative study: Many can be articulated using a general template: In (population) what is the relationship between (IV) and (DV)?
Also ask PICO questions about explicit comparisons.
–

Qualitative study: state the phenomenon of interest and the group/population of interest.
Grounded theory- tend to ask process questions
phenomenlogists- tend to ask meanings questions
ethnographers- generally ask descriptive questions about culture.

Research questions may evolve over the course of the study. Researchers begin with a focus that deines the broad boundaries of the study, but boundaries can be altered and in the typical naturalistc inquiry, will be.

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

Researcher’s predictions about answer to research questions pose a HYPOTHESIS that is tested in the study.

Question 7

Selecting a Research problem- things to consider:

Answer 7

Problem’s significance, researchability, feasibility and interested to you (the researcher)

Question 8

Evaluating Research Problems- significance of the problem

Answer 8

Is the problem significant to nursing?

Evidence for the study should have the potential to contribute meaningfully to nursing

Should be the right “next step” in building an evidence base.

The right next step could be an original study but it could also be a replication to answer previously asked questions with greater rigor or with a different population.

Question 9

Evaluating Research Problems- researchability of the problem

Answer 9

Not all questions are amendable to research inquiry- questions of moral or ethical nature cannot be researched, although related questions could be researched and useful in developing a better understanding of key issues.

Question 10

Evaluating Research Problems- feasibility of the problem

Answer 10

Time- problem must be one that can be studied in the allotted time.

Researchers experience- the problem should be related to the topic above which researcher has some prior knowledge or experience. Beginner researchers should avoid problems that might require the development of new measuring instruments or that demand complex analyses

Availability of study participants- are participants with desired characteristics available and willing to cooperate.

Cooperation of others- may be necessary to gain entree into an appropriate community or setting and to develop the trust of gatekeepers.

Ethical considerations- research problem may be unfeasible if the study would pose unfair or unethical demands on the participants

Facilities and equipment- all studies have resource requirements- it prudent to consider what facilities and equipment will be needed and what is available

Money-Monetary needs for studies vary widely- if on a limited budget, researchers need to think carefully about projected expenses before selecting a problem.

Question 11

Evaluating Research Problems- researcher’s interest

Answer 11

Genuine curiosity about a research problem is an important prerequisite to a successful study.

A lot of time/energy are expended into a study.

Question 12

Statement of Purpose

Answer 12

Summarizes the goal of a study

Question 13

moderator variable

Answer 13

variable the influences the strength or direction of a relationship between two variables

e.g.: a person’s age might moderate the effect of exercise on physical function

Present in quantitative studies

Question 14

mediating variable

Answer 14

variable that acts like a “go-between” in a link between two variables

e.g. smoking cessation intervention may affect smoking behavior through the intervention’s effect on motivation to quick

Present in quantitative studies

Question 15

Research Hypothesis

Answer 15

The use of hypotheses tend to induce critical thinking and encourage careful interpretation of the evidence.

Testable hypotheses state the expected relationship between the independent variable (the presumed cause or antecedent) and the dependent variabla (the presumed effect or outcome) within a population.

Needs two variables- without a prediction about an anticipated relationship the hypothesis is difficult to test using standard statistical procedures.

Usually contains a phrase such as: more than, less than, greater than, different from, related to,associated with- making it amendable to stastisical testing.

aka scienfitic hypotheeses

Question 16

inductive hypothesis

Answer 16

inferred from observations. begin with specific observations and move towards generalizations

Researchers observe certain patterns among phenomena and then make predictions based on the observations.

qualitative studies are an important source of inspiration for inductive hypotheses

Question 17

deductive reasoning

Answer 17

Have theories or prior knowledge as a starting point.

Question 18

directional hypothesis

Answer 18

one that specifies not only the existence but the expected direction of the relationship between the variables

hypotheseses derived from theory are almost always directional because theories provide a rationale for expecting variables to be related in a certain way.

Exisiting studies offer a basis for directional hypotheses.

Question 19

non directional hypothesis

Answer 19

does not state the direction of the relationship.

When there is no theory or related research, when findings of prior studies are contradictory, or when researchers own exeperiences lead to ambivalence, nondirectional hypotheses may be appropriate.

Question 20

complex hypotheses

Answer 20

ones with three or more variables- multiple independent or dependent variabes.

If only two variables, it’s a simply hypothesis.

Question 21

Null hypotheses

Answer 21

AKA statistical hypotheses.
State there is no relationship between the IV and DV.

The variables are assumed to be “innocent” of any relationship until the can be shown “guilty” through appropriate statisitical procedures.

In statistical testing, the null hypothesis is assumed without bening stated.

Question 22

Hypothesis testing, or PROOF!

Answer 22

Formally testing through statsitical analysis.

Use statistics to test whether their hypothesis have a high probability of being correct (i.e. p < 0.05)

hypotheses are never proved or disproved- rather supported or rejected.