Unit 4: Research Problems, Questions and Hypotheses Flashcards
research problem
is perplexing or troubling condition- the purpose of disciplined research is to “solve” the problem-or contribute to the solution - by accumulating relevant information
problem statement
articulates the problem to be addressed
research questions
are specific queries researchers want to answer addressing a research problem
guide the types of data to be collected in the study
hypotheses
are tested empirically. - a predication usually a statement of predicted relationship between variables
statement of purpose
is the researchers summary of the overall goal
|»_space; identify several specific research aims or objectives
objectives include
obtaining answers to research questions but may also encompasses come broader aims
quantitative studies
usually involves concept that are well developed, about which there is an existing body of literature, and for which reliable methods of measurement have been developed
use some aspects of a phenomenon is poorly understood, and the researcher wants to develop a rich, comprehensive and context bound understanding of it
qualitative study
sources of research problems
clinical experiences nursing literature social issues theories ideas from external courses
development and refinement of research problems
is a creative process start with interesting of broad topic area, then develop the topic into a specific researchable problem
problem statement for quantitative study
is an expression of a dilemma of disturbing situation that need investigation
> identifies the nature of the problem that is being addressed
should be board enough to include central concerns but narrow enough in scope
problem statement qualitative study
expresses the nature of the problem, its context and significance
>are embedded in a particular research tradition generally generally incorporate terms and concepts int he problem statement that foreshadow their tradition if inquiry
examples problem statement for phenomenological study might note the need to know more about the people experience
ethnographer might indicate the desire to describe how cultural forces affect people behavior
statement of purpose
the purpose statement captures in a sentence or two essence of the study and establishes the general direction of the inquiry
» purpose or goal words such as “aim” or “objective”
statement of purpose in a quantitative study
well worded statement of purpose identifies the study and their possible interrelationship as well as the population interest
> suggest the nature of the inquiry through their selection of verbs
statement of purpose in a qualitative study
use verbs in their statement of purpose that suggest how they sought to solve the problem, or what the state of knowledge on a topic is
> may also imply flexible design through the use of verbs such as understand or discover
buzz words for grounded thoery
social structure, social interaction
phenomenological studies
experiences, lived experience, meaning, essence
ethnographic studies
culture roles, myths cultural behavior.
research question
usually are direct re-wording of statement purposes, that phrased in interrogatively rather than declarative
research question in a quantitative study
identify the key variables , the relationships among them, and the population under study
research question in a qualitative study
differ in the type of questions they believe to be important,
> grounded theory ask process question
> phenomenological tend to ask meaning questions
> ethnographers generally ask descriptive questions about culture
>evolve over the course of the study
>question is flexible
research hypothesis quantitative research
translate research question to a statement
hypothesis sometimes emerge from a theory
>t he availability of a theory can be evaluated through hypothesis testing
>theory gains support if hypotheses are confirmed
> the use of hypothesis in quantitative studies tends to induce critical thinking and, hence, to facilitate interpretation of the data
true or false hypothesis exist in a qualitative study
false
characteristics of testable hypothesis
testable research hypothesis state the expected relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable within a population
>should be based on justifiable rationale
wording hypothesis
identify independent variable, the dependent variable and the anticipated relationship
> worded in present tense
>directional or non directional
>
complex hypothesis
predict relationship between two or more independent variable or two or more dependent variable
directional hypothesis
is one thatspecifies not only existence but also the expected direction of the relationship between variable
non directional hypothesis
no not stipulate the direction of the relationship
true or false: hypothesis based on theory are usually non directional
false – they are directional because theories provide a rationale for expecting variables to relate in a certain way
research hypotheis
are statement of actual expected relationship between variables
null hypotheses
state there is no relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable
hypothesis are proved or disproved?
false they are accepted or rejected
critiquing the substance of research problem
- implication for nursing practice
- extension of knowledge base
- promotion of theory development
- correspondence to research priorities
» must consider whether the research problem was meaningfully based on prior research, has a relationship to a theoretical context, address a current research priority, and, most importantly , can contribute useful evidence for nursing practice
critiquing research problems, research question and hypothesis
- what is the research problem?
- does the problem have significance to nursing
- is there a good fit between the research problem and the paradigm within the research was conducted
- does the report formally present a statement of purpose, research question, and/ or hypotheses
- are purpose statement of question worded appropriate
- if there is no formal hypothesis, is their absence justifiable
- do hypothesis flow from a theory or previous research? is there a justifiable basis for the prediction
Are, hypothesis properly worded
- The research question, “What is the decision-making process among multidisciplinary team members who seek to actively provide clients with hope?” is:
A Most likely to be addressed using a qualitative approach
B Most likely to be addressed using a quantitative approach
C Not a researchable question
D Poorly worded
A
2. Which of the following is not a major source of ideas for research problems: A Experience B Literature C Social issues D The professional code of ethics
D
3. The hypothesis, “A person’s emotional status is not affected by a reelection to a continuing care institution” is: A Null B Not correctly worded C Directional complex D Complex
A
A research problem is a situation involving an enigmatic or disturbing situation amenable to disciplined inquiry.
A True
B False
A
6. Hypothesis derived from theory are almost always: A Null B Simple C Directional D Complex
C
7. The hypothesis, “ Children who have a stay at home parent are more likely to achieve a high score on the Sense of Well-being Inventory” is: A Null B Directional C Non-directional D Incorrectly worded
B
- A research hypothesis indicates the expected relationship between:
A The independent and the dependent variable
B The research objective and the research outcome
C The statistical testing and the null hypothesis
D The conceptual framework and the operational definitions
A
- The following is a directional hypothesis: “The fewer the hobbies an retired person has the more likely he or she is to score high on a depression scale.”
A True
B False
A
