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?
Formulating research questions Robin Donatello 2025-09-03