Issues in Problem Questions vTvTvTvThe Role of Problem Questions vIvIvIvIsolation of Problems vCvCvCvComposing Problems

The Role of Problem Questions v Focus Research v Separate Relevant from Irrelevant Background v To solve a problem, one must know what the problem is

Issues in Problem Questions vTvTvTvThe Role of Problem Questions vIvIvIvIsolation of Problems vCvCvCvComposing Problems

Problem Statements and Variables v “The objective of our study is to offer a framework for conceptualizing refusals and to assess the framework by examining the claim that refusal effectiveness can be predicted by the refuser’s social perception abilities.” v “The present study was designed to correlate the hearing-specific self-report measures of communication functioning from CPHI with general measures of depression, loneliness, and suspiciousness in persons with profound postlingually acquired hearing loss.”

v “The present study has two objectives: (1) to examine and describe the verbal style in the conversations in the first meetings of zero- history, task-oriented, leaderless small groups; and (2) to investigate the relationship of verbal style and the process of rejecting certain participants as potential leaders in the initial interactions of the groups.”

Use of “Subproblems” “Does the act of disclaiming one’s stated position influence others’ attributions of credibility? If so, [subproblem 1] do hedges and cognitive dislaimers differ in the magnitude and/or direction of their effect, and [subproblem 2] does the simultaneous use of a hedge and a cognitive disclaimer have a stronger effect than the singular use of a hedge or a cognitive disclaimer?

Issues in Problem Questions vTvTvTvThe Role of Problem Questions vIvIvIvIsolation of Problems vCvCvCvComposing Problems

Selecting areas for problem questions v What are some research areas that interest you? v What topic areas first drew you to the field? v What are some topic areas you have read about in some of your classes? v What do you think is the most personally meaningful issue that makes communication studies most important to you?

Format for Developing Problem Questions What is the relationship between ____________ and ____________? and ____________?

Criteria for Problem Questions v Stated unambiguously v Include at least two variables v Testable v No value judgments v Grammatical

Logic in Research v Major Premise: If p, then q v Minor Premise: p v Conclusion: q

Logic in Research v Major Premise: If p, then q v Minor Premise: p or not q v Conclusion: q not p

Logic in Research v Major Premise: If p, then q v Minor Premise: p or not q v Conclusion: q not p

Logic of Using Hypotheses v Major Premise: If theory is true, data support hypotheses If theory is true, data support hypotheses v Minor Premise: Theory is true Theory is true v Conclusion: Data support hypotheses Data support hypotheses

v Major Premise: If theory is true, data support hypotheses If theory is true, data support hypotheses v Minor Premise: Theory is true or data will not support Theory is true or data will not support hypotheses hypotheses v Conclusion: Data support hypotheses Data support hypotheses or Theory is not true or Theory is not true Logic of Using Hypotheses

v Major Premise: If theory is true, data support hypotheses If theory is true, data support hypotheses v Minor Premise: Theory is true or data will not support Theory is true or data will not support hypotheses hypotheses v Conclusion: Data support hypotheses Data support hypotheses or Theory is not true or Theory is not true Logic of Using Hypotheses

Issues in Problem Questions vTvTvTvThe Role of Problem Questions vIvIvIvIsolation of Problems vCvCvCvComposing Problems

Method to Construct Hypotheses of Simple Relationships There will be a____________ relationship between relationship between ________________and ________________and _________________. _________________.

Method to Construct Hypotheses to Predict Differences Subjects who are________________ will have______________ will have______________ than others who are__________________. than others who are__________________.

H 1 (non directional) Notation for Hypotheses

= H 1 (non directional)

= Notation for Hypotheses H 1 (non directional) H 1 (directional)

= Notation for Hypotheses H 1 (non directional) H 1 (directional)

= Notation for Hypotheses H 1 (non directional) H 1 (directional) <

= Notation for Hypotheses H 1 (non directional) H 1 (directional) H o (null)

= Notation for Hypotheses H 1 (non directional) H 1 (directional) H o (null) =

Logic of the Null Hypothesis v Major Premise: If null hypothesis is true, data will show no true, data will show no relationships/differences relationships/differences v Minor Premise: Data show relationships/differences relationships/differences v Conclusion: Therefore, null hypothesis is not true hypothesis is not true

Variable Types v INputs INdependent Variables INdependent Variables v OUTputs Dependent Variables Dependent Variables

See you next Time!