The Research Process

Question 1

What is research?

Answer 1

Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested” (Leedy and Ormrod 1994, 4).

Question 2

What are the 3 factors for deciding what to research?

Answer 2

Practical considerations- social problems & solutions
Theory- previous research
Values- personal beliefs & feelings

Question 3

What is the purpose of the literature review and theory in quantitative research?

Answer 3

1. provide knowledge of the problem area,
2. clearly identify the need for the proposed study,
3. identify gaps and strengths in previous scholarly studies.

Question 4

What is a hypothesis and state the two types

Answer 4

A hypothesis is a specific testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Null hypothesis: There is no connection between use of social media platforms and vaping among young adults (H0)

Alternative hypothesis: There is a connection between use of social media platforms and vaping among young adults (H1)

Hypotheses are formulated before the study is conducted because they provide direction for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.

Question 5

What is the importance of the null hypothesis (H0)?

Answer 5

The null hypothesis is important in research because it can validate or invalidate research. It assumes that the research is false.

Question 6

What are the two types of statistics?

Answer 6

Descriptive Statistics- provides basic information about variables in a dataset and highlights potential relationships between variables.

Inferential Statistics- Inferring which hypothesis is accurate (null vs. alternative)

Question 7

What is a theory?

Answer 7

A theory is a set of assumptions and interrelated concepts that explain and predict phenomena.

Question 8

In life the hyper rat doesn’t donate rugs

What are the steps of the research process?

Answer 8

• Step 1: Identify Phenomenon (dependent variable)
• Step 2: Literature Review
• Step 3: Theory
• Step 4: Hypothesis Construction
• Step 5: Research Design
• Step 6: Data Collection
• Step 7: Data Analysis
• Step 8: Report Findings