Research objective, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

Dr.Naglaa Ibrahim Gida

- - IntroductionIntroduction- Research aim - Research aim - Research objective-Research Questions - Research Hypotheses

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Introduction• Any research must have clear aims and

objectives.The aim (goal ) and objectives must be stated

at the very beginning of the study, since they will guide the researcher during the process formulating research questions and hypothesis.

•They will enable the reader or consumer of the work to judge whether the researcher had achieved these objectives or not.

What are aims

Aims are simple and broad statements of intent that describe what the study wants to achieve.

•Example Problem statementEffect of Problem Based Learning on The Achievement of Nursing Students in Postpartum UnitsAim of the study:To study the effect of problem based learning on the achievement of nursing students in postpartum units.

Definition of Research Objective

• Objectives refer to expected or intended researcher outcomes.

• Specific knowledge, skills, or attitudes that researcher are expected to achieve through their college experience.

Research ObjectivesThe research objectives should be:

–Closely related to the research question–Covering all aspects of the problem–Very specific–Ordered in a logical sequence–Stated in action verbs that could be evaluated e.g. to describe, to identify, to measure, to compare, etc.–Achievable, taking into consideration the available resources and time–Mutually exclusive, with no repetitions or overlaps

SMART Objectives

•S Specific•M Measurable•A Achievable•R Relevant•T Time-bound

Research objectives

•Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of the research methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of data.

Research area

Cardiology

Research topic

Ischemic heart disease

Research problems

The effect of reducing serum cholesterol on the occurrence of

myocardial infraction.Research question

Does hypocholesterolemic agent "A" decrease the risk of

myocardial infraction?Research

aimTo contribute in prevention of

ischemic heart disease.Objective To determine the effect of

reducing s. cholesterol on the incidence of myocardial

infraction.

Research Questions:

• The formulation of research question is a process of refinement of the research objectives into a simple questions that the study should answer

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1-Question is consider the fundamental of 1-Question is consider the fundamental of research , it help the research to clarify in her research , it help the research to clarify in her mind those questions which need to be answer. mind those questions which need to be answer.

2-Help to understand stage of the research 2-Help to understand stage of the research process. process.

3-Variety of question formats reflects the type of 3-Variety of question formats reflects the type of research carried out and the personal research carried out and the personal preference of researchers. preference of researchers.

Purpose of Research Questions

3-The terms and concepts used by 3-The terms and concepts used by the researcher must be defined in the researcher must be defined in ways that can be understood by ways that can be understood by others who read the article or others who read the article or reportreport. .

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Is a concise, interrogative statement that Is a concise, interrogative statement that is worded in the present tense and include is worded in the present tense and include one or more variables. one or more variables.

Formulation of Research Questions

CharacteristiCharacteristics cs

Research question may be description of Research question may be description of variable, orvariable, or

Examination of relationship among variables, orExamination of relationship among variables, or

Determination of differences between two or Determination of differences between two or more group regarding selected variablemore group regarding selected variable. .

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For Example For Example

1- How is a variable 1- How is a variable “X”“X” described in a described in a specified population? “description” .specified population? “description” .

2- What is the relationship between variable 2- What is the relationship between variable “X”“X” and, and, “Y”“Y” in a specified population? in a specified population? “Relational”.“Relational”.

3- Is there difference between group 3- Is there difference between group ”1”,”1”, and and “2”“2” regarding variable regarding variable “X”“X” ? ? “difference” “difference”

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4- Is there is relationship between using 4- Is there is relationship between using nursing care and the incidence of pressure nursing care and the incidence of pressure sores?sores?

5- Is there a policy on the prevention and 5- Is there a policy on the prevention and treatment of pressure sores?treatment of pressure sores?

6- Do nurses have the necessary knowledge 6- Do nurses have the necessary knowledge required and skills to prevent and treat required and skills to prevent and treat pressure sore? pressure sore?

For Example

Definition of hypotheses:

• Hypothesis is a statement of the research question in a measurable form

• Hypothesis is a formal statement of the expected relationships among variables.

• Hypothesis is a statement of predicted relationships between two or more variables.

• A testable hypothesis states the anticipated association between one or more independent and one or more dependent variables.

Wording of Hypotheses

• A good hypothesis is worded in simple, clear, and concise language.

• The hypothesis statement should be specific enough so that readers understand what the variables are and whom researchers will be studying.

When is a hypothesis formulated?

• A hypothesis is formulated after the problem has been stated

• It is formulated when the researcher is totally aware of the theoretical and empirical background to the problem.

The purpose and function of a hypothesis:

• It offers explanation for the relationships between variables that can be tested.

• It Provides a proof that the researcher has sufficient background knowledge to enable him/her to make suggestions in order to extend existing knowledge.

• It gives direction to investigation.

• It structures the next phase in the examination of the problems.

Characteristics of good hypothesis:

• It is testable• It is logical• It is directly related to the research problem• It is factually or theoretically based• It states a relationship between variables• It is stated in such a form that it can be accepted or

rejected.

1. Simple and Complex

a. Simple Hypothesis

contains one independent variable and one dependent

variable.

• Examples of a simple hypothesis:

1-There is relationship between smoking [IV] and lung cancer

[DV]

Simple and Complex

b. Complex Hypothesis

Predicts the relationship between 3 or more variables

• Example of a complex hypothesis—multiple independent variables:

Among breast cancer survivors, emotional wellbeing [DV] is influenced by the women’s self-esteem [IV1], their resourcefulness [IV2] and their degree of social support [IV3]

2- Directional and Non-Directionala. Directional Hypothesis

Tells the reader the direction of the relationship between the two variables = more specific about the nature of the relationship

• Directional hypothesis may read,”…is more than..”, “…will be lesser..”

• Example:

“Children with high IQ will exhibit more anxiety than children with low IQ”

Directional and Non-Directional Hypothesis

b. Non-Directional Hypothesis

Do not specify the nature of the relationship between the variables

• It may read, “..there is a difference between..”

Example:

“There is a difference in the anxiety level of the children of high IQ and those of low IQ.”

3- Null Hypothesis

• A null hypothesis Is a statement that there is no actual relationship between

variables.

• Example:

• “There is no significant difference in the anxiety level of children of High IQ and those of low IQ.”

• Passive smoking has no relation to lung cancer

LOCATING RELEVANT LITERATURE FOR A RESEARCH REVIEW

1-Electronic resources• The two electronic databases that are most likely to be

useful to nurse researchers: • 1- CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health

Literature). WWW. Cinahl. com • 2- MEDLINE (Medical Literature On-Line).• 2-Print resources

• print resources

• print resources •