Research Questions and Variables and Hypotheses

Research Questions & Variables and Hypotheses
I.What is a researchable question?
II. Characteristics of researchable questions
III. Research Variables
A. Quantitative vs. Categorical
B. Independent vs. Dependent
IV. Hypotheses
A. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
V. Identifying Research Articles


Research Problems vs. Research Questions
Research Problem:a problem to be solved, area of concern, general question, etc.
e.g. We want to increase use of technology in K-3 classrooms in Utah.
Research Question:a clarification of the research problem, which is the focus of the research and drives the methodology chosen
e.g. Does integration of technology into teaching in grades K-3 lead to higher standardized achievement test scores than traditional teaching methods alone?

Researchable Research Questions
•Where do they come from?
–Experimenter interests
–Application issues
–Replication issues
•Do they focus on product or process? Or neither?
•Are they researchable? Unresearchable?

Researchable vs. Un-Researchable Questions
Researchable Questions–contain empirical referents
Empirical Referent –something that can be observed and/or quantified in some way
e.g., The Pepsi Challenge –which soda do people prefer more? Coca-Cola or Pepsi?
Un-Researchable Questions–contain no empirical referents, involve value judgments
e.g., Should prayer be allowed in schools?

Essential Characteristics of Good Research Questions:
1. They are feasible.
2. They are clear.
a. Conceptual or Constitutive definition = all terms in the question must be well-defined and understood
ex. In the question, "Does technology in K-3 schools improve standardized test scores over traditional teaching methods?" What counts as technology? What kind of K-3 schools? Which tests? What are "traditional" teaching methods? - You must be very clear about these terms.
b. Operational definition = specify how the dependent variable will be measured
3. They are significant.
4. They are ethical.
a. Protect participants from harm.
b. Ensure confidentiality.
c. Should subjects be deceived?

Variables: Quantitative vs. Categorical
1. Quantitative Variables
a.Continuous
b.Discontinuous (Discrete)
2. Categorical Variables - not quantifiable - you can't attach a number to it

Can look for relationships among:
1. Two Quantitative Variables - ex. height and weight
2. Two Categorical Variables - ex. religion and political affiliation
3. A Quantitative and Categorical Variable - ex. age and occupation (unless they make age categorical)

Variables: Independent vs. Dependent
1. Independent Variable= variable that affects the dependent variable, or is the effect of interest - This is what you are manipulating in the experiment.
a.Manipulated
b.Selected
2. Dependent Variable= dependent on the independent variable, or what is being measured
3. Extraneous variable (aka. confound) = uncontrolled factors affecting the dependent variable

*Dependent variables and extraneous variables are separate variables. They can't, in theory, be both.

Quantitative Research Hypotheses
•They should be stated in declarative form.
•They should be based on facts/research/theory. - can't just be based on a hunch
•They should be testable.
•They should be clear and concise.
•If possible, they should be directional - Take a stand! Predict the effect is going to be in a certain direction.

Qualitative Research Questions
•They are written about a central phenomenon instead of a prediction.
•They should be:
–Not too general…not too specific
–Amenable to change as data collection progresses - you may start with one idea and one direction, but move in a new direction based on new things you learn from your research - be open to whatever you might discover
--Unbiased by the researcher’s assumptions or hoped findings


Identifying Research Articles
1. What type of source is it?
–Primary Source–original research article
–Secondary Source–reviews, summarizes, or discusses research conducted by others
–Tertiary Source–summary of a basic topic, rather than summaries of individual studies
2. Is it peer reviewed?
–Refereed journals
•Editors vs. Reviewers
•Blind Reviews
•Level of journal in field
–Non-refereed journals

Why peer review?
•Importance of verification before dissemination
–Once the media disseminates information, it is hard to undo the damage
•ex. Scientist arguing autism a result of MMR vaccine never published his results in a scientific journal
•ex. Claim of first human baby clone was based only on the company’s statement
–Greater the significance of the finding, the more important it is to ensure that the finding is valid

Is peer review an insurance policy?
•Not exactly –some fraudulent (or incorrect) claims may still make it through to publication
ex. –Korean scientist who fabricated data supporting the landmark claim in 2004 that he created the world's first stem cells from a cloned human embryo. - His false data was in a peer review journal, but it was still fraudulent.
•Peer review is another source of information for:
–Funding Allocation
–Quality of Research / Publication in Scientific Journals
–Quality of Research Institutions (both on department and university levels)
–Policy Decisions

Where to find research articles:
Marriot Library - ERIC Ebsco
Make sure it has:
Method
Participants
Measure or Instruments
Prodecures