Problem Identification and Hypothesis Formation ♣ Chapter 4 Back to Brief Contents Sources of Research Ideas  Gender Bias in Research Ideas Ideas Not Capable of Scientific Investigation Review of the Literature  Feasibility of the Study  Formulating the Research Problem  Formulating Hypotheses 

4.1 Sources of Research Ideas Back to Chapter Contents Everyday Life Practical Issues Hypnosis ― eyewitness Fig 4.1 Drug abuse Past Research  Theory  Many other sources

4.1.3 Past Research Experimental design: Control Back to Chapter Contents Experimental design: Control Explanation of the data Alternative explanations (EV) Implication of the results Alternative explanations (Mechanism, Theory) Further research Issue 不同研究間之矛盾結果、理論之間的論爭 >> 4.1

4.1.4 Theory Definition Function Back to Chapter Contents Definition A group of logically organized and deductively related laws (Marx, 1963) Function Goal: summarize and integrate existing knowledge Tool: guide research >> 4.1

4.4 Review of the Literature -1 Back to Chapter Contents Purpose of the literature review Identify if the topic has been researched Provide design ideas Identify methodological problems Identify special needs Provide information for the research report

4.4 Review of the Literature -2 Back to Chapter Contents Getting Started Know how to use the library Narrow down the topic area Defining Objectives

4.4 Review of the Literature -3 Back to Chapter Contents Doing the Search Books Psychological Journals (Psychological Abstracts) Computerized or Electronic Databases PsycINFO Tab 4.1 & Others Tab 4.3 Search (Keyword)  Abstract (Exhibit 4.2 p.108)  Full article Guide for reading journal articles Tab 4.2

4.4 Review of the Literature -4 (end) Back to Chapter Contents Doing the Search Internet Resources E-mail Listserv: discussion groups World Wide Web Tab 4.4 Tab 4.5 Obtaining Resources obtain a copy; full-text electronic copy; PubMed Additional Information Sources Professional meetings Tab 4.6 Contact with individual researchers

4.5 Feasibility of the Study Back to Chapter Contents Time Type of research participants Expense Expertise of the experimenter Ethical sensitivity

4.6 Formulating the Research Problem Back to Chapter Contents § 前言 1. Defining a Research Problem 2. Specificity of the Question

4.6.0 Formulating the Research Problem Back to Chapter Contents 文獻回顧 1. 目前對該問題的瞭解 (currently known) 2. 過去如何探討該問題 有助於： 構想問題 How collect data By what method (Paradigm 實驗典範) >> 4.6

4.6.1 Defining a Research Problem Back to Chapter Contents Definition of a research problem (Kerlinger, 1973) An interrogative sentence that asks: “What relation exists between two or more variables?” Criteria for good research problems Variables should express a relation Stated in question form Imply possibilities of empirical testing >> 4.6

4.6.2 Specificity of the Question Back to Chapter Contents 例: (a problem, but vague) What effect does the environment have on learning ability? Why specify 1. 確認瞭解研究問題 2. 幫助作必要的決定 (例) 受試者、儀器 >> 4.6

4.7 Formulating Hypothesis -1 Back to Chapter Contents Definition of “Hypothesis” The best prediction or a tentative solution to a problem Sources Literature review Formulated from theory Criteria Must be capable of being refuted or confirmed

4.7 Formulating Hypothesis -2 (end) Back to Chapter Contents Scientific hypo. vs. Null hypo. Reject null hypo. → support scientific hypo. If hypo. Not confirmed Hypo. Is false Some Error in conception of hypo.