CH08-Research Questions and Hypotheses.ppt

CH08-Research Questions and Hypotheses.ppt

1. 1
Developing Your
Research Question
I know what general area, but
I’m not sure of my research
question?
Dr. Paul Ssemaluulu

2. 2
The Importance of Good Questions
A good research question:

Defines the investigation

Sets boundaries

Provides direction

3. 3
Defining Your Topic
If you are finding it a challenge to
generate a research topic you can:
Hone in on your passions
Use your curiosity
Look for inspiration from the creative arts
Develop ‘right brain’ skills such as concept
mapping

4. 4
Concept Map of Potential
Research Topics

5. 5
Minding Practicalities
Research directions are not always at
the full discretion of the researcher.
Practicalities include:

Appropriateness of the topic

Your ability to get supervisory support

Funding opportunities and commitments

6. 6
From Interesting Topics to
Researchable Questions
An ‘angle’ for your research can come
from insights stemming from:
personal experience
theory
observations
contemporary issues
engagement with the literature

7. 7
Narrowing and Clarifying

Narrowing, clarifying, and even
redefining your questions is essential
to the research process.

Forming the right ‘questions’ should
be seen as an iterative process that is
informed by reading and doing at all
stages.

8. 8
Cycles of Research
Question Development

9. 9
The Concept Map Revisited
Attraction to
opposite sex
School
ridicule
Peers
Media
Parents
Diet ads
You’re
so
pretty!!
Desire to be
popular
Do parents teach
their daughters that
worth is dependent
on external beauty?
Compliments
Thin TV
Stars Magazine
Models

Poor Self
Image in
Young Girls
Size of ‘stars’
is newsworthy
Weight
obsessed
mother
You look so
nice in that!
Do young girls
have an unrealistic
perception of
normal?

10. 10
The Hypothesis Dilemma

Hypotheses are designed to express
relationships between variables. If
this is the nature of your question, a
hypothesis can add to your research

If your question is more descriptive
or explorative, generating a
hypothesis may not be appropriate

11. 11
The Hypothesis Dilemma
A hypothesis may not be appropriate if:
You do not have a hunch or educated guess about
a particular situation
You do not have a set of defined variables.
Your question centres on phenomenological
description (see Chapter 9)
Your question centres on an ethnographic study
of a cultural group (see Chapter 9) 
Your aim is to engage in, and research, the
process of collaborative change (see Chapter 10)

12. 12
Good Question Checklist

Is the question right for me?

Will the question hold my interest?

Can I manage any potential
biases/subjectivities I may have?

13. 13
Good Question Checklist

 Is the question right for the field?

Will the findings be considered
significant?

Will it make a contribution?

14. 14
Good Question Checklist

Is the question well articulated?

Are the terms well-defined?

Are there any unchecked assumptions?
 

15. 15
Good Question Checklist
Is the question doable?
Can information be collected in an attempt to answer the
question?
Do I have the skills and expertise necessary to access this
information? If not, can the skills be developed?
Will I be able to get it all done within my time constraints?
Are costs likely to exceed my budget?
Are there any potential ethics problems?
 

16. 16
Good Question Checklist

Does the question get the tick of
approval from those in the know?

Does my supervisor think I am on the
right track?

Do ‘experts’ in the field think my
question is relevant/ important/ doable?