Step One: Research Problem, Question & Hypothesis

RESEARCH PROBLEM Topic or the focus of research interest Topic or the focus of research interest Example: adolescent health, drug abuse, pain management. Research problem is a situation that involves enigmatic, perplexing or a trouble condition Research problem is a situation that involves enigmatic, perplexing or a trouble condition Research question is statement of a specific query the researcher wants to answer to address the research problem Research question is statement of a specific query the researcher wants to answer to address the research problem

Statement of purpose is the researcher's summary of the overall goal of the study Statement of purpose is the researcher's summary of the overall goal of the study Specific aims vs. research objective Specific aims vs. research objective Sources of research problems include: Sources of research problems include: 1. Experience 2. literature 3. Social issues 4. Theories 5. External resources

Refining research problem Not a smooth process Not a smooth process Several setbacks, false and inspirations Several setbacks, false and inspirations There aren’t specific process or steps to follow to develop a research problem statement There aren’t specific process or steps to follow to develop a research problem statement Always we have to choose a technique to stat with Always we have to choose a technique to stat with

Topic Use intuition, creativity, and imagination Use intuition, creativity, and imagination First, we need to put down, and generally, the areas of interest without using any critical thought First, we need to put down, and generally, the areas of interest without using any critical thought It is not important how specific or abstract these ideas It is not important how specific or abstract these ideas Example: relationship between patients and physicians, children’s adjustment with chronic illness, care of comatosed patients, Example: relationship between patients and physicians, children’s adjustment with chronic illness, care of comatosed patients,

Then, sort the ideas based on your knowledge about the topic, and interest Then, sort the ideas based on your knowledge about the topic, and interest Select the most fruitful topics or ideas Select the most fruitful topics or ideas now topic/s selected now topic/s selected Start asking some questions such as: Start asking some questions such as:  Why is this important to me..?  What is involved with that?  How effective is that…?

Remember, do not critique, no judgments, original or unique problems are rare Remember, do not critique, no judgments, original or unique problems are rare Keep filter and asking question Keep filter and asking question You still may come up with two big problems You still may come up with two big problems Narrow the scope of problem Narrow the scope of problem

Example You note that every time you come to duty you hear families complaints about having to wait for very long time at the emergency unit when certain paramedics are on duty. You note that every time you come to duty you hear families complaints about having to wait for very long time at the emergency unit when certain paramedics are on duty. Yet, less complaints are there when other paramedics are on duty Yet, less complaints are there when other paramedics are on duty You wonder, why is this happened?

Generally, there is a discrepancy in families /relatives’ complains. Generally, there is a discrepancy in families /relatives’ complains. you might ask: what makes this discrepancy? How can we improve it? you might ask: what makes this discrepancy? How can we improve it? Still we did not form the research question. But such questions will help. Further questions, how do the two group of paramedics differ? What characteristics are the group of complaining families /relatives share?

At this point, you observe that there are some difference between the staff. At this point, you observe that there are some difference between the staff. Back to literature or with discussion with peers, you may end up with some researchable questions such as: Back to literature or with discussion with peers, you may end up with some researchable questions such as: how competent are the staff while communicating with patients’ families. how competent are the staff while communicating with patients’ families.

Research problem evaluation The researcher choose the final problem based on: The researcher choose the final problem based on: 1. Significance of the problem 2. Researchability of the problem

3. Feasibility: 3. Feasibility: a. Time and timing b. Availability of study participants c. Cooperation of others d. Facilities and equipments e. Money f. Experience of researcher g. Ethical consideration

Problem statement Broad enough to include central concern Broad enough to include central concern Narrow enough in scope to serve as a guide to the study Narrow enough in scope to serve as a guide to the study It articulate the nature of the problem and the justification for conducting the study It articulate the nature of the problem and the justification for conducting the study It says: this is the problem and this is why it is important to be studied It says: this is the problem and this is why it is important to be studied

Statement of purpose It establishes the general direction or the nature of the inquiry It establishes the general direction or the nature of the inquiry The word purpose or goal always appears in the purpose statement The word purpose or goal always appears in the purpose statement It should include the keys study variables and their possible interrelationships, and the nature of the population It should include the keys study variables and their possible interrelationships, and the nature of the population It’s the manner that seeks solution of the problem It’s the manner that seeks solution of the problem

Example Quantitative: Quantitative: The purpose of the this study is examine the relationship between smoking patterns, coping strategies, and social support among third and fourth year paramedic students at the PHACD.

Example Qualitative Qualitative The purpose of the study was to describe the cultural values and norms among paramedic students at the PHACD its effect on the quality of care provided

Research question It a rewording of the purpose of the study. It a rewording of the purpose of the study. It interrogative rather than narrative It interrogative rather than narrative Its direct and simple Its direct and simple Attract attention to focus on of the study and the kind of data that would have to be collected Attract attention to focus on of the study and the kind of data that would have to be collected More question mean more simplicity More question mean more simplicity

Example Quantitative Quantitative What is the relationship between smoking and coping strategies among paramedic students at the PHACD? Qualitative Qualitative What are the cultural norms of the paramedic students at the PHACD?

Research hypothesis A tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables A tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables It’s a translation of research question into a precise prediction of the expected outcomes It’s a translation of research question into a precise prediction of the expected outcomes In some way it’s a proposal for solution/s In some way it’s a proposal for solution/s In qualitative research, there is NO hypothesis In qualitative research, there is NO hypothesis

Research hypothesis What are the chch of workable hypothesis? What are the chch of workable hypothesis? Derivation of hypothesis Derivation of hypothesis Testing the hypothesis Testing the hypothesis Wording the hypothesis Wording the hypothesis Directional vs non-directional hypothesis Directional vs non-directional hypothesis Research vs statistical hypothesis Research vs statistical hypothesis

Hypothesis Source of hypothesis: Observing the phenomenon or problem in the real world. Observing the phenomenon or problem in the real world. Analyzing the theory Analyzing the theory Reviewing the literature Reviewing the literature Real Life Experience Real Life Experience

Research hypothesis TYPES: Simple vs complex Simple vs complex Directional vs non-directional hypothesis Directional vs non-directional hypothesis Research vs statistical hypothesis (null) Research vs statistical hypothesis (null)

Simple vs. complex There will be fewer number of sleep disturbances after practicing relaxation exercise There will be fewer number of sleep disturbances after practicing relaxation exercise There will be fewer number of sleep disturbance and longer period of REM sleep after practicing relaxation exercise There will be fewer number of sleep disturbance and longer period of REM sleep after practicing relaxation exercise

Directional vs. non-directional None directional: Relationship exist but not predicting the nature None directional: Relationship exist but not predicting the nature e.g., There is a relationship between nurse attitude toward cancer and patient satisfaction Directional: states the nature of the relationship Directional: states the nature of the relationship Use: less, more, greater,….

Research vs. statistics Statistical hypothesis used to interprets statistical outcomes Statistical hypothesis used to interprets statistical outcomes It says: there is no relationship between years of experience and level of competency It says: there is no relationship between years of experience and level of competency Research: is the alternative hypothesis Research: is the alternative hypothesis