Formulating research questions

Robin Donatello

2024-09-04

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 each question below with your neighbor.

Respond to the first three prompts in the Google Docs Formulating Research Questions collaborative notes. Put your names next to your answer.

• 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

What are primary and secondary sources?

Answer the next set of questions in the collab notes.

• 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?