Assignment: Research Hypothesis and Variables
Can someone read the attached literatire review and write a one-page paper that includes a research question about the topic? Then, identify independent and dependent variables and Include a hypothesis, a null hypothesis and the specific aim of the research.
Topic: The Dehumanization and Lack of Rehabilitation for Prisoners
I need developing research questions.
A. Select 3 research questions from the review of the literature that were developed from your points you outlined in your summary.
B. Once you have developed the questions, develop a hypothesis that can be tested (hypothesis - educated guess or predictive statement about the relationship between the variables)
C. A null hypothesis will have to be developed
D. Identify the variables (Independent and Dependent variables)
E. Discuss what methodology you would like to use: interview, survey, questionnaire...
Research Questions:
It is absolutely essential to develop a research question that you're interested in or care about in order to focus your research and your paper (unless, of course, your instructor gives you a very specific assignment). The research process begins with an issue or problem of interest to the researcher. Usually, the research problem is a statement that ask about the relationships between two or more variables. At a time.
Variables:
Key elements in a research problem are the variables. A variable is defined as a characteristic of the participants or situation for a given study that has different values. A variable must vary or have different values in the study. For example, gender is a variable because it can have two values.
Independent Variables:
In Quantitative research, variables are defined operationally and are commonly divided into independent variables (active or attribute), dependent variables, and extraneous( or control) variables.
Hypothesis:
Research hypothesis are predicative statements about the relationship between variables. Research questions are similar to hypothesis, except that they do not make specific predictions and a phrased in question format. A well-thought-out and focused research question leads directly into your hypotheses. What predictions would you make about the phenomenon you are examining? This will be the foundation of your application.
Strong hypotheses:
1. Give insight into a research question
2. Are testable and measurable by the proposed experiments;
3. Spring logically from the experience of the staff;
Normally, no more than three primary hypotheses should be proposed for a research study. A proposal that is hypothesis-driven is more likely to be funded than a "fishing expedition" or a primarily descriptive study.
Make sure to:
1. Provide a rationale for the hypotheses-where did they come from, and why are they strong?
2. Provide alternative possibilities for the hypotheses that could be tested-why did you choose the ones you did over others?
If you have good hypotheses, they will lead into your specific aims. Specific Aims are the steps you are going to take to test your hypotheses and what you want to accomplish in the course of the grant period. Make sure:
1. The objectives are measurable and highly focused;
2. Each hypothesis is matched with a specific aim.
3. The aims are feasible, given the time and money you are requesting in the grant.
An example of a specific aim would be "Conduct a rigorous empirical evaluation of the online grant writing tutorial, comparing outcome and process measures from two groups-those with exposure to the tutorial and those without."
Research Question:
Similar to hypothesis, except that they do not make specific predictions and phrased in question format. It's a good idea to evaluate your research question before completing the research exercise (Exercise 3) and to Ask the writing tutor for feedback on your research question. And you also should check your research question with your course tutor.
Three broad areas:
• Difference
• We compare scores( on the dependent variables) of two or more different group.....
• Associational
Descriptive
Ask for summary description of the current data, without trying to generalize ...
Topic/Issue
A topic is what the essay or research paper is about. It provides a focus for the writing. Of course, the major topic can be broken down into its components or smaller pieces (e.g., the major topic of nuclear waste disposal may be broken down into medical, economic, and environmental concerns). But the important thing to remember is that you should stick with just one major topic per essay or research paper in order to have a coherent piece of writing.
Choose a Question that is Neither Too Broad or Too Narrow
• Can the Topic be Researched?
• Is the Question Too Broad or Too Narrow?
• Evaluate Your Own Research Question
1. Why is this research important?
2. What are the long-term implications?
3. What will happen after the grant?
4. What other avenues are open to explore?
5. What is the ultimate application or use of the research?
These questions all relate to the long-term goal of your research, which should be an important undercurrent of the proposal. Again, they should be a logical extension of the research question, hypotheses, and specific aims.