Research method

Research
h Methodology
h d l
Lecture 2: Forming Hypothesis
Identification Solution Implementation Validation

Prof.
P f Wlodek
Wl d k Kulesza
K l [coolesha]
[ l h ]
wlodek.kulesza@bth.se
http://homepage.te.hik.se/personal/tkuwl/

The methodological steps of research The purpose of the graduate thesis

The purpose of the graduate thesis is to prove

A
A. Fi d a problem
Find bl that you have made an original and useful
B. Research the problem contribution to knowledge.
C. Form a research question and hypothesis
The examiners read your thesis to find the
D. Validate your hypothesis
answers to the following questions:
* Plan an experiment
• what is this student's research question?
*M
Measure, collect
ll t data
d t • is it a good question?
* Analyze the results • did the student convince me that the question was
E. Form a conclusion adequately answered?
• has the student made an adequate contribution to
F. Report
knowledge?
 What is a research question? Making hypothesis?

A very clear statement of the question is essential Make a list of your answers to the questions you
to proving
i that
h you h have made
d an original
i i l and d have. This can be a list of statements describing
worthwhile contribution to knowledge. how or why you think the observed things work.

The question must be framed in terms of the There is usually one hypothesis for each question
variables you have identified. you have.

By making direct reference to your literature You must do at least one experiment to test each
review, you must demonstrate that your question hypothesis.
• has not been previously answered,
• is worth answering.

Making hypothesis? What is a research hypothesis?

Wh you thi
When thinkk you k
know what
h t variables
i bl may b be Ah p th i iis a tentative
hypothesis t t ti answer to
t your
involved (try to choose variables that you think research question.
act independently of each other) you are ready to
translate your questions into hypothesis. It tentatively explains certain behaviors,
phenomena, or events that have occurred or will
A hypothesis is a question which has been occur.
reworded into a form that can be tested by an
experiment. The hypothesis states the researcher's
expectations concerning the relationship
between the variables in the research problem.
What is a research hypothesis?
The hypothesis is formulated following the
review of related literature and prior to the
execution of the study.
The related literature leads the researcher to
expect a certain relationship.
Formulating a research hypothesis
To formulate a research hypothesis we start
with a research question and generate
operational definitions for all variables,
formulate a research hypothesis keeping in
mind:
• expected relationships or differences,
• operational definitions
What is a research hypothesis?
"A
A good hypothesis states as clearly and
concisely as possible the expected relationship
(or difference) between two variables and
defines those variables in operational,
measurable terms."
(Gay 1996, page 62).
Formulating a research hypothesis
Hypothesis can be classified in terms of how
they were derived:
• inductive hypothesis
- a generalization based on observation
• deductive hypothesis
- derived from theory
 Formulating research hypotheses for
Formulating a research hypothesis
various types of research problems

Hypotheses can be stated as: A hypothesis for an experimental or causal-

causal
comparative study:
• research hypotheses
A hypothesis for correlational research.
• statistical hypotheses.
A hypothesis for descriptive research.

A model for stating hypotheses for an A model for stating hypotheses for an
experimental or causal-comparative study. experimental or causal-comparative study.

Example: Statistical Hypotheses:

Research Hypothesis: When we get ready to analyze our data we might

Girls will achieve higher reading comprehension also wish to state statistical hypotheses for our
test scores than boys at the end of the first grade. problem.

Operational Variables: The statistical hypotheses consist of the null

Reading comprehension will be measured by hypothesis (H0) and the alternative hypothesis
the Iowa Tests of Educational Development, (H1).
Reading Comprehension, administered at the
end of the year.
 A model for stating hypotheses for an A hypothesis for correlational research.
experimental or causal-comparative study.

If we let stand for the mean of the girls and

stand
d ffor the
h mean off the
h bboys.
If A and B are variables (note that we do not
refer to them as independent and dependent
Our null hypothesis states that:
variables in correlational research), and C is
there is no difference between the two means on
the subject we can state our research problem
the reading comprehension test scores.
as the relationship between A and B for C.
The alternative hypothesis states that:
What is the relationship between A and B for C
the girls mean score on the reading
comprehension test will significantly exceed
that of the boys.

A hypothesis for correlational research. A hypothesis for correlational research.

The example:
An instructor investigates the relationship
between the number of minutes needed to
complete an examination and the score on the
examination. He wants to use the data to
determine whether there is a significant
negative relationship between these two
variables.
Research Hypothesis:
The length of time needed to complete an
examination will be negatively correlated with
the score on the examination for college
students.
students
 A hypothesis for descriptive research. A hypothesis for descriptive research.

Example:
A researcher wants to find out the educational Research Question:
characteristics of gifted students with learning
disabilities in the middle school. When asked What is the average level of IQ, reading
what is meant by "educational characteristics" comprehension, mathematics performance,
the researcher lists the following variables: written language proficiency, and locus of
- IQ, control for gifted children with learning
- reading achievement, disabilities in the middle school.
- mathematics achievement,
- written language achievement,
- locus of control (internal versus external
locus of control).

A hypothesis for descriptive research. What does each student need to show on
the first brainstorm meeting?

Operational Definitions: Title of the project

• IQ - Scores on an individually administered IQ test Research question(s)

• Reading Comprehension - Scores on the Woodcock
Reading Mastery Tests Hypothesis
• Mathematics Performance - Scores on the Woodcock
Johnson Tests of Achievement: Mathematics Section Main Contribution
• Written Language Proficiency - Scores on the
Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement: Written Keywords
Language Section
• Locus of Control - A suitable measure for internal References
versus external locus of control will be selected
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