PLANNING AND DESIGNING A RESEARCH STUDY Session III: Identifying and Formulating a Research Problem (1.5 hours)

Objectives Identify and formulate a research problem using literature review as sources of information Identify research variables Construct research hypotheses Write a statement of the research problem Formulate research questions

Key Concepts and Content Research Problem Identify and define precisely based on Literature review Variables A variable is a characteristic that takes on different values or conditions for different individuals

Types of variables Independent variables “that we measure to determine if the independent variable has an effect, such as science achievement. Independent variables “classifying the individuals of the research study” Controlled variables ‘They are controlled variables only if their effects are determined” Extraneous variable “is related to the dependent or independent variable; however, it is not part of the experiment” Moderator variable “is related to the independent and dependent variable and has an impact on dependent variable“

Hypothesis or an academic guess Is a specific statement of prediction Not all studies have hypotheses Sometimes research is designed to be exploratory In such a case, there is no formal hypothesis A single study may have one or many hypotheses:

Types of hypothesis Null hypothesis is the hypothesis in which there is no relationship between two or more variables. It is symbolized as H0. Research hypothesis or the alternate hypothesis proposes a relationship between two or more variables and is symbolized as H1 Directional hypothesis is one tailed. You assume that by manipulating the independent variable the dependent variable will change in a specific direction. You can predict if this change will be positive or negative Non-directional research hypothesis is two tailed. You assume that by manipulating the independent variable there will be a change in the dependent variable. You cannot predict if this change will be positive or negative.

Writing a Statement of Research Problem A good research statement makes clear to the reader what issue the research is dealing with. Ideally a research statement should be presented in one sentence. A research problem statement is to the point, focused, and measurable; it is not ambiguous and abstract.

Now select a research topic and try to write the research problem. Activity-1 15min

Activity 2 Identify the independent and dependant variables in the following situation: A university teacher is interested in determining the best way to teach introductory technology course, and ensure that his/her students have learned the material.

Activity 3 Formulate hypotheses for the following two situations: What effects does viewing violence on television have on boys? Hypothesis: If_______________________then________ ___________________.

Continued------------ Situation 2 A sanitation department is nearby and the smell is coming from the same direction. The sanitation department does a series of steps to process the sewage and wastewater. Hypothesis: If_______________________then________ ___________________.

What we learned? What a research problem is? What variables can be used? How a good hypothesis can be constructed? How a research problem is stated?