1. Objectives Assignment and quizzes review
How to write the research question, hypotheses and problem statement
Briefly discuss the methodology chapter
What are the elements of the introduction chapter.

2. Quizzes and assignments
Quiz is complete.
Quiz 2 is open today for a week
Article review is due today
Proposal is due next week

3. Your Research Study Capstone Project Develop a Proposal:
Proposal: Plan that details the proposed study designed to investigate a given problem.
Why:
Start point
Plan with a Time table
Summary of objectives
Significance and implication/outcomes
Cost and resources

4. Introduction Chapter
In you next assignment, you will be writing your Introduction Chapter
Background and significance for the study
Statement of the problem
write-a-statement-of-the-problem-in-four-steps
Research questions and hypotheses
Assumptions
Limitations/delimitations
Definitions
References

5. What is the research question, goal, and sub-problems?
State your research question: Broad
E.g. Identify the risk factors associated with MSDs
Use the research question to write problem statement and sub-problems (narrow down)
Identify the risk factors associated with MSDs in construction industry

6. What are the variables involved?
What variables will measure the characteristics of the sample necessary to answer the research questions?
What are the formats of the variables (i.e.: ordinal, nominal, ratio, interval)?
For each sub-problem, identify the variable(s)
Describe how the data will be collected (ie: example of the survey item, the data format, etc.)
You do not need to create the entire survey instrument at this time

7. What data are necessary to answer the research question?
How relevant will the data be when it is analyzed? Will time be a critical factor?
For this study, data will be available through a survey research study.

8. Which research method is applicable to the study?
The research problem and questions will dictate in part the most appropriate method to be used.
In this study, you are doing this step backwards. You know you will be running a survey study, therefore, you will ensure the data and problems lend themselves to a survey study.

9. What instrument is needed to collect the data?
Does the instrument already exist or will we have to develop one?
For this study, you will be developing a 10 item survey instrument
In a real study, you would need to pilot test the instrument.

10. How and by whom will the results be used?
Knowledge of your possible audience for the study can give you some insights on how your results may be interpreted and used.
Who will use your results and how?

11. What are the costs involved?
Costs associated with research vary tremendously depending on the type of research completed.
If you were to really conduct this study in the workplace, what costs would be incurred?
I.e.: postage, printing, tech support, labor costs, etc.

12. What other resources are necessary to complete the study?
Do you need data collectors?
Will there be training costs involved?
If you were to really conduct this study in the workplace, what other resources would you need?

13. Writing Research Hypotheses
Null and Alternative Hypotheses
The Null Hypothesis states “There is no significance present”
Represented by Ho
The Alternative Hypothesis states the opposite or that there is significance in the findings present
Represented by H1

14. Null and Alternative Hypothesis Example
A researcher wishes to determine if there is a significant difference between the average number of lost work days for males and females
The null hypothesis would be:
H0: The average number of lost workdays for males = The average number of lost workdays for females
The alternative hypothesis would be:
H1: The average number of lost workdays for males ≠ The average number of lost workdays for females

15. Statistics and Hypothesis Testing
When using a statistical test, we test to see if the Null hypothesis is true, if it is not, then we reject it and accept the Alternative as being true.
Using the example with lost work days, we are actually testing to see if the Null hypothesis is true or false, if the Null hypothesis is false, then we reject it and conclude the Alternative is true.

16. Correlation Test Example
A researcher develops a research sub-problem that wishes to determine if there is a relationship between the number of workdays lost due to injury and the age of the worker.

17. Correlation Test Example
Remember correlation coefficients (r) can range from
-1.00 to with 0 representing no correlation present.
Testing a correlation is a two step process
The first step is to calculate the correlation coefficient (r)
The next step is to determine if the correlation coefficient is significant
To test the significance of a correlation, we use a t-test procedure to see if the correlation coefficient is significantly different from 0.

18. Correlation Hypotheses
Null Hypothesis
H0: r = 0
(Interpreted as “There is no relationship between the number of workdays lost and the age of the worker)
Alternative Hypothesis
H1: r ≠ 0
(Interpreted as “There is a significant relationship between the number of workdays lost and the age of the worker)

19. Example Comparing 2 Means
A researcher develops a research sub-problem that wishes to determine if the average number of days lost per work comp claim is significantly different when comparing males and females.

20. Test Example for Averages
The first step is to calculate the average number of days lost per work comp claim form males and do the same for females
A t-test is an appropriate test statistic for comparing 2 means
To test the significance, we use a t-test procedure to see if the average for males is equal to the average for females.

21. Hypotheses for Averages
Null Hypothesis
H0: Average for Males = Average for Females
(Interpreted as “There is no difference in the averages)
Alternative Hypothesis
H1: Average for Males ≠ Average for Females
(Interpreted as “The averages are not equal. Do not interpret this as one group is significantly higher or lower than the other. That requires a null hypothesis that has less than or greater than in it and a result, the t value required to determine significance is different)

22. Assumptions, Limitations and Delimitations
Somewhat out of your control
If they disappear, the study will be irrelevant
Examples:
participants will answer the survey questions truthfully
Sample is representative of the population

23. Assumptions, Limitations and Delimitations
Potential weaknesses,
out of your control,
Are those characteristics of design or methodology that impacted or influenced the application or interpretation of the results of your study
All studies have limitations
Examples: samples size, Lack of available and/or reliable data, Self-reported data & Lack of prior research studies on the topic

24. Assumptions, Limitations and Delimitations
Under your control,
limit the scope and define the boundaries of your study
Examples: gender selection, age selection, etc.