Hypothesis and Research Question

541 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: COMPARE AND CONTRAST qualitative and quantitative research methods

Research questions are formulated in a study to inquire about variables, both independent and dependent variables, and the relationship between them. Research questions are categorized into two, that is, qualitative and quantitative research questions. Qualitative questions are used in qualitative research like case studies, surveys and action research where the approach is non-numerical and analyses special phenomena that occur in nature. Quantitative research on the other hand is more of a systematic approach with measurable numerical quantities that go through analysis to prove a hypothesis. Finally, the research hypothesis is either approved or disapproved with regards to the results of the analysis (Laureate Online Education B.V. 2010). Hypotheses differ from research questions in that, they are predictions that researchers come up with about variables and expected relationships between them (Creswell 2008). Hypotheses are mostly used in experimental exercises and are used in making comparison of groups. Hypotheses are basically formulated in two forms; null and directional hypothesis. Null hypotheses predict the lack of relationship between groups. Alternative hypothesis is categorized into two; directional hypothesis which predicts on an expected outcome and non-directional hypotheses which make predictions without specifying differences and relationships due to lack of past information that can be used to predict the differences. The difference between a hypotheses and a research question lies on the fact that a hypothesis is a tentative statement which is more precise/specific and predicts an outcome. A research question is a general statement compared to a hypothesis (eNotes.com, Inc 2011). A hypothesis predicts an outc...

... middle of paper ...

...in phenomena and the other is a correct or incorrect prediction of an experimental outcome that can be proven wrong or right through an analysis made during research.

List of References

Creswell, 2008. Research Questions and Hypothesis, pp 129

Available at: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/22782_Chapter_7.pdf

eNotes.com Inc, 2011. Encyclopedia of Management

Available at:http://www.enotes.com/management-encyclopedia/hypothesis-testing

Laureate Online Education B.V., 2010. The Research Methods Training, The University of

Liverpool, pp 1-5, Available at: case study attached

Marion, 2004. Research Skills for New scientists, The University of Texas Medical Branch

Available at: http://www.sahs.utmb.edu/pellinore/intro_to_research/wad/wad_home.htm

Pajares, 2007. The Elements of a Proposal, Emory University.

Available at: http://des.emory.edu/mfp/proposal.html

Show More
Related

  • Theme of Witch Hunts in The Crucible and the Rwandan Genocide

    759 Words  | 2 Pages

    Though both of these things talk about the same basic idea, there are many differences s...

    Read More

  • The Biopsychosocial Model and Research in Mental Health

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    Research can be quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research is objective and involves measuring the phenomena under investigation. Qualitative research is subjective, explores experiences and feelings, and involves the recording of phenomena that cannot easily be quantified (Toates, 2010, pp. 5-6). Both are empirical since they involve data collection (OU, n.d.).

    Read More

  • Nursing Research Based Practice

    1903 Words  | 4 Pages

    The research question is the first and foremost initial step in the research process, because it defines the expected outcomes and drives the project design. So it should be clear and concise once the research question is formulated, the next is defining the terms and concepts used in the research process. A literature review is needed to clarify issues, gives an understanding to the researcher how others have formulated similar research questions and defines concepts.

    Read More

  • Blood And Crips Gang Case Study

    427 Words  | 1 Pages

    The hypothesis that answered the qualitative research from number one is as the

    Read More

  • Research Methods

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    For everything that occurs, there will somehow be something that caused the action to happen. It is more of a cause and effect ideal or simple a reaction to an action. In terms of research academics, independent and dependent variables are concepts or attributes to certain things that occur such as drug use, crime, or domestic abuse. For example, stress or other personal problems may lead to someone to use drugs. Also, poverty may lead someone to commit crime. In addition, a power controlled individual may cause a partnership to suffer physical or verbal abuse.

    Read More

  • Research

    1294 Words  | 3 Pages

    For centuries, the value of horses was known to farming and working communities, but it was not until very recently in history that people began to see the value of a horse for the disabled and mentally handicapped. Hippotherapy, as defined by Barbara Smith, is “the use of the horse as a medical treatment strategy and not as a method to teach riding.” Dozens of studies show the effectiveness or non-effectiveness of this specialized therapy for certain disorders. The horse provides a stepping stone to well-being for people with debilitating illnesses that otherwise could not achieve optimal wellness through conventional therapies.

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis of Research Papers

    1718 Words  | 4 Pages

    According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...

    Read More

  • Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    The father of quantitative analysis, Rene Descartes, thought that in order to know and understand something, you have to measure it (Kover, 2008). Quantitative research has two main types of sampling used, probabilistic and purposive. Probabilistic sampling is when there is equal chance of anyone within the studied population to be included. Purposive sampling is used when some benchmarks are used to replace the discrepancy among errors. The primary collection of data is from tests or standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and closed-ended observational protocols. The secondary means for data collection includes official documents. In this study, the data is analyzed to test one or more expressed hypotheses. Descriptive and inferential analyses are the two types of data analysis used and advance from descriptive to inferential. The next step in the process is data interpretation, and the goal is to give meaning to the results in regards to the hypothesis the theory was derived from. Data interpretation techniques used are generalization, theory-driven, and interpretation of theory (Gelo, Braakmann, Benetka, 2008). The discussion should bring together findings and put them into context of the framework, guiding the study (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). The discussion should include an interpretation of the results; descriptions of themes, trends, and relationships; meanings of the results, and the limitations of the study. In the conclusion, one wants to end the study by providing a synopsis and final comments. It should include a summary of findings, recommendations, and future research (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). Deductive reasoning is used in studies...

    Read More

  • Quantitative Research Methods

    2583 Words  | 6 Pages

    Focusing on surveys and questionnaires, there is a small difference. Questionnaires gather the information from different respondents while a survey is the systematic collection of information from different individuals . Qualitative and quantitative research is the two main functions of research. They both hold different views.

    Read More

  • A Null Hypothesis Is Not True In Research

    300 Words  | 1 Pages

    Actually, it is a trade-off. In fact, it is harder to prove something is true than prove something is not true. This is because if we want to test something is true, we have to review every possibility. Only if all of the evidence support the hypothesis, then we can believe a hypothesis is true. Nonetheless, we only need to find out a contrary evidence, then we can claim something is not true. Therefore, other than try hard to prove the hypothesis is true, we turn to test whether a null hypothesis is not true. If we can support that a null hypothesis is not true, then we can claim that there is no evidence to say the (alternative) hypothesis is not true. Even though we mistakenly accept the null hypothesis, there is no clue to judge whether

    Read More

  • Research Philosophy

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    Research philosophy, refers to the development of knowledge adopted by the researchers in their research (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). In other words, it is the theory that used to direct the researcher for conducting the procedure of research design, research strategy, questionnaire design and sampling (Malhotra, 2009). It is very important to have a clear understanding of the research philosophy so that we could examine the assumptions about the way we view the world, which are contained in the research philosophy we choose, knowing that whether they are appropriate or not (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), three major ways of thinking about research philosophy are examined: ontology, epistemology and axiology. Each of them carries significant differences which will have an impact on the way we consider the research procedures. Ontology, “is concerned with nature of reality”, while epistemology “concerns what constitutes acceptable knowledge in a field of study and axiology “studies judgements about value” (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009, p110, p112, p116). This study is intent on creating some “facts” from objective evaluations which are made by the subjects. Therefore, epistemology will be chosen for this study as the way of thinking about the research philosophy.

    Read More

  • Data Collection Research

    1540 Words  | 4 Pages

    On the other hand, quantitative research allows you to test hypothesis derived from theories, associated with the issues being investigated. It is less flexible, as there are standardized procedures and techniques for collecting, organizing and analyzing the data (Kuada, 2012).

    Read More

  • Research Design

    845 Words  | 2 Pages

    A research design is defined as a plan or blueprint of how one intends to conduct research (Mouton, 2005:55). A research design focuses on the end product of the research process, that is, the type of study being planned and the type of results aimed at. Its point of departure is the research problem, and hence it focuses on the type of evidence required to address the problem adequately.

    Read More

  • Chapter 3 Research Methodology Essay

    4563 Words  | 10 Pages

    Research which is also known as the search for knowledge is an art of scientific search for specific information. According to Clifford Woody, the research includes defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis and suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusion and further testing whether the conclusion will fit into formulating hypothesis. Research Methodology is a scientific and systematic way of finding solution to a problem. In this research, researcher has studied various steps for research like problem along with the logic behind them. For this study, researcher must know various research techniques like mean, mode,

    Read More

  • What Is Science Essay

    825 Words  | 2 Pages

    The major strength of science is that it has uncertainty and skepticism. Science never claims to be hundred percent accurate. There is always some degree of ambiguity and probability in science. The Heisenberg’s uncertainty in quantum mechanics is a good example of this. According to the Heisenberg’s uncertainty, we can never be sure of the position of the quantum particles. There is always a degree of fuzziness in nature and a fundamental limit to what we can understand about these particles and their behavior. We can only calculate the probability of the nature of the particle and ho...

    Read More

More about Hypothesis and Research Question

Open Document