Formulating research questions

Robin Donatello

2025-09-03

A Research Hypothesis poses a question about the relationship between two or more measurable characteristics.

Example

Is there a relationship between smoking frequency and suicide?

Simple vs Complex

Simple Hypothesis

Is there a relationship between smoking frequency and suicide?

• Simple relationship between two measures
• Can be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’

Complex Hypothesis

Does smoking frequency exacerbate poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression and suicide?

• Stated as a relationship between multiple variables
• Can’t be answered directly but through multiple sub-questions

Null vs Alternative

AKA Statistical Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis

Drug X has no affect on outcome Y

• Stated as no relationship
• the ‘status quo’ or current status

Alternative Hypothesis

Drug X is associated with a change in outcome Y

• stated as a relationship exists
• typically what you hope to show

Collaborative discussion

Discuss

Discuss each question below with your table and share out as instructed

• What are the characteristics of a good research question?
  
• What is the one essential document you need to review before you can formulate a research question?
• Write an example of a research question

Where to find prior information on your research topic?

• Google ofc.
• Library for primary and secondary sources

Primary vs secondary sources

Discuss with your table and share out your responses as instructed.

• Give an example of a primary source of information.
• Give an example of a secondary source of information.
• What are some problems with secondary source literature?