Chapter 6 Formulating Hypotheses and Research Questions

Question 1

Complex hypothesis

Answer 1

A statement explaining and/or predicting relationships between two or more independent and dependent variables.

Question 2

Deductive reasoning

Answer 2

1. A process that begins with a general picture and moves to a specific direction or prediction.
2. Deductive hypotheses are derived from theory and contribute to the science of nursing by providing evidence that supports, expands, or contradicts a given theory.

Question 3

Dependent variable

Answer 3

1. A variable that is observed for changes or to assess the possible effect of a treatment or manipulation; may be the effect or outcome of an experimental procedure; also referred to as a criterion variable or outcome variable. Usually symbolized by the letter Y.
2. The variable which is under investigation and is the focus of the study.
3. What the researcher intends to understand, explain, predict, or measure about subjects after the introduction of the independent variable.

Question 4

Directional hypothesis

Answer 4

1. A hypothesis that makes a specific prediction about the direction of the relationship between two variables.
2. Usually derived from conceptual models or findings from previous research.

Question 5

Extraneous variable

Answer 5

1. A variable that is not controlled for in a study, which threatens the internal validity of the study. Also known as confounding variables.
2. These variables exist in all studies and are primarily of concern in quantitative research.
3. Classified as controlled or uncontrolled and as recognized or unrecognized. Attempts should be made to identify and control extraneous variables.

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

1. A statement about the relationship between the variables that are being investigated. A well stated hypothesis must be testable.
2. Purposes: Guide scientific inquiry for the advancement of knowledge; provide direction for the research design and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; provide a framework for reporting the conclusions of a study.
3. Researchers do not set out to prove hypotheses but rather to collect data that either support or refute them. Hypotheses are never proved right or wrong.

Question 7

Hypothesis-generating study

Answer 7

A study that generates hypotheses by pulling together pieces of data from several descriptive/exploratory studies.

Question 8

Independent variable

Answer 8

1. A variable that is manipulated and controlled by the researcher; also called a predictor variable. Usually symbolized by the letter X.
2. May be classified as an experimental, treatment, intervention, or predictor variable.

Question 9

Inductive reasoning

Answer 9

1. A process that begins with details or specific observations and moves to a more general picture.
2. Inductive hypotheses are derived from observed patterns and contribute to the development of a model or framework that can possibly be tested through more formal research.

Question 10

Nondirectional hypothesis

Answer 10

1. A hypothesis that does not stipulate in advance the direction and nature of the relationship between two variables.
2. Used when past research provides conflicting results or when the direction of the relationship is unknown.

Question 11

Null hypothesis (H₀)

Answer 11

1. A hypothesis stating that no relationship or difference exists between two variables. Also called statistical hypothesis.
2. Suits the statistical techniques that determine whether an observed relationship is probably a chance relationship or probably a true relationship.

Question 12

Research hypothesis (H₁ or Hₐ)

Answer 12

1. A hypothesis stating a relationship or difference between two variables. Also called an alternative, declarative, or scientific hypothesis.
2. Indicates what the researcher expects to find as a result of conducting a study.

Question 13

Research question

Answer 13

1. A concise, interrogative statement written in the present tense that includes one or more variables (or concepts). All research variables and the population to be studied should be included.
2. Three purposes (does not have to do all three): Describes variable(s), examines relationships among variables, and determines differences between two or more groups regarding the selected variable(s).
3. Used when prior knowledge of the phenomenon is limited and the research seeks to identify or describe the phenomenon.
4. Should flow naturally from the purpose statement and narrow the focus of the study.

Question 14

Simple hypothesis

Answer 14

A statement explaining and/or predicting a relationship between one independent and one dependent variable.

Question 15

Variable

Answer 15

A measurable characteristic that varies among the subjects being studied.

Question 16

Hypotheses and research questions are formulated after _ has been completed.

Answer 16

The review of literature.

Question 17

Placement of hypotheses in a research report logically follows _

Answer 17

The literature review and theoretical framework.

Question 18

_ research studies usually do not have hypotheses.

Answer 18

Descriptive or exploratory. (Instead, they have research questions.)

Question 19

Required elements of a hypothesis

Answer 19

1. The variables being studied.
2. The population being studied (the subjects).
3. The predicted outcomes (how X affects Y).

Question 20

All nouns in hypotheses or research question should be defined _

Answer 20

First conceptually and then operationally.

Question 21

Variables identified in hypotheses must be _

Answer 21

Operationally defined - specify how the variables will be measured in terms of the instruments, scales, or both, that will be used.

Question 22

Directional hypotheses are _ than nondirectional hypotheses.

Answer 22

Clearer and more logical.

Question 23

Hypotheses are evaluated by _

Answer 23

Statistical analyses.

Question 24

Correlational statistics

Answer 24

Conducted to determine the existence, type, and strength of the relationship between the variables being studied.

Question 25

Inferential statistics

Answer 25

1. Used to evaluate hypotheses that examine differences between and among categories or levels of variables.
2. Examples: T-test, analysis of variance.

Question 26

When a study is completed and a significant relationship exists between two variables or there is a difference between groups, the null hypothesis is _

Answer 26

Rejected.

Question 27

Research questions, rather than hypotheses, are often used in _

Answer 27

Exploratory or descriptive studies.

Question 28

In contrast to the problem statement, research questions are _

Answer 28

More precise and specific.

Question 29

_ studies are guided by the use of research questions rather than hypotheses.

Answer 29

Qualitative research.

Question 30

Quantitative research is said to be _

Answer 30

Hypothesis-testing research.

Question 31

Qualitative research is said to be _

Answer 31

Hypothesis-generating research.

Question 32

Research questions should not begin with _

Answer 32

“Why” - these research questions are difficult to answer and may reflect personal values or judgments and are not based on research evidence.

Question 33

Operational definitions should be sufficiently detailed so that the procedures can be _

Answer 33

Replicated.

Question 34

Three categories of hypotheses

Answer 34

1. Simple vs. complex.
2. Nondirectional vs. directional.
3. Statistical vs. research.

Question 35

As a general rule, researchers tend to use _ level of significance.

Answer 35

95%.

Question 36

Hypotheses in qualitative studies usually _ (are very specific and stated prior to beginning the study; are often generalized as data are collected, interpreted, and analyzed; are never used; are always stated after the research has been completed)

Answer 36

Are never used.

Question 37

When “p is less than 0.05” is reported in a research article, it means the author has _ the null hypothesis (assuming the author is using a significance level of 0.05).

Answer 37

Rejected.

Question 38

Control techniques are introduced to reduce the contaminating effects of _

Answer 38

Extraneous variables.

Question 39

_ are two things that cannot be addressed in a research question.

Answer 39

Morals and ethics.

Question 40

Systematic review of literature

Answer 40

A synthesis of every single article that has ever been published on a subject - usually not feasible.

Question 41

Value-laden words

Answer 41

Words in the hypothesis that signal the researcher’s view or personal opinion about the subject - should be avoided.