1. Asking the right research question
Rich Metzger
Professor of Psychology
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

2. Size Matters
No question is too small
But some questions are too big

3. Where do questions come from?
Experience
Everyday
Clinical Training
Clinical Practice
Paradoxical incidents
Scientific literature
Metaphors or cultural beliefs
Theory

4. Problem to Hypothesis Using existing research (Inductive)
Old phenomenon new population
Subgroups within a clinical population
Translational research (lab to clinic)
New IV or DV
Theoretical context

5. Problem to Hypothesis Question identification
Specify the question
Operationalize the variables
State the hypothesis
Hypothesis leads to methods
Explicit statement of predicted relationship

6. Philosophy Research Design EPISTEMOLOGY ONTOLOGY
METHODOLOGICAL HUMAN NATURE ASSUMPTIONS ASSUMPTIONS
ACCEPTABLE ACCEPTABLE
RESEARCH METHODS RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Research Design

7. What is a “Good” Hypothesis
FINER model
Feasibility
High antecedent possibility
Interest
Sound and useful
Novel
Ethical
Relevant

8. Contact Information
Rich Metzger
Department of Psychology
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga