1. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process © Dr Sunil Kumar, Department of Social Policy RESEARCH QUESTION Slide show available in Public Folders | All Public Folders | Departments | Social Policy | SPPDC ….. | 6 SA 452.3 (a) …………. | 04 Research Question | …

2. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION What is a research question How does it link to the literature review and conceptual framework Link between a research question and a hypothesis Types of research questions Hierarchy of research questions Learning Outcomes – week 6

3. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION A Research Question embodies a gap in the literature. It is a Question or Questions posed so that an answer or answers to it will add knowledge in a particular area or subject What is a RESEARCH QUESTION

4. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION Role of a RESEARCH QUESTION A research question is the core of the dissertation

5. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION Role of a RESEARCH QUESTION Answering it is the purpose of the dissertation

6. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION & HYPOTHESIS RESEARCH QUESTION and HYPOTHESIS The early identification of a Research Question will help in the formulation of a hypothesis

7. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Definition What is a HYPOTHESIS A hypothesis “ is a proposition which can be put to the test to determine it's validity ” Goode and Hatt, 1952: 56-57

8. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Definition In PLAIN ENGLISH A hypothesis is a tentative answer to a research question It is a hunch A possible explanation for a cause

9. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Definition Yet again in PLAIN ENGLISH A hypothesis is a POTENTIAL ARGUMENT

10. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Nature Nature of a HYPOTHESIS A hypothesis “ … may seem contrary to or in accordance with common sense ” Goode and Hatt, 1952: 56-57

11. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Nature Nature of a HYPOTHESIS A hypothesis “ It may prove to be correct or incorrect ” Goode and Hatt, 1952: 56-57

12. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Testing Testing a HYPOTHESIS “ In any event, however, it leads to an empirical test ” Goode and Hatt, 1952: 56-57

13. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Testing Testing a HYPOTHESIS A hypothesis is not held to be true until proven

14. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Testing When proven a HYPOTHESIS becomes a THESIS

15. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Purpose The purpose of a HYPOTHESIS It's defined purpose is to indicate the direction of the investigation or the research and to suggest what facts are to be collected

16. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Origins Some origins of HYPOTHESES Personal Experience As exceptions to accepted theory Analogy Review of the literature Research question

17. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE HYPOTHESIS - Formulation A well formulated HYPOTHESIS should Contain conceptual clarity Avoid subjective referents Be specific and precise Relate to a body of knowledge Relate to the Research question

18. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS - Difficulties 3 Main difficulties in formulating HYPOTHESIS Phrasing the hypothesis properly Absence of a conceptual or theoretical framework Not using that theoretical framework logically

19. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION - Origins Origins of the RESEARCH QUESTION PRACTICE THEORY THEORY & PRACTICE

20. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION - Types Types of RESEARCH QUESTIONS WHAT questions HOW questions WHY questions

21. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION - Types WHAT RESEARCH QUESTIONS Tend to be descriptive Do not offer explanations

22. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION - Types WHY RESEARCH QUESTIONS Tend to produce reasons Tend to words such as because

23. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE RESEARCH QUESTION - Types HOW RESEARCH QUESTIONS Tend to suggest outcomes of causes Offers insights for practice & policy change

24. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE LITERATURE REVIEW - 6 Task for Week 7 Write down your research question and examine it to see if it is a WHAT, HOW or WHY QUESTION Change its wording to convert it into a WHAT, HOW and WHY QUESTION

25. SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process, © Dr Sunil Kumar, Social Policy, LSE TOPIC for Week 7 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS SA 452.3A Conceptualising the Research Process © Dr Sunil Kumar, Department of Social Policy