Chapter 6- Formulating Hypothesis and Research Questions
one that contains variables that are measurable, with a relationship that can be either supported or not supported based on the data collected.
What is makes a hypothesis testable?
a relationship to test
What is missing in this hypothesis? "If adults with chronic nonmalignant pain (CNP) differ from one another, they will differ from one another in quality of life (QOL),"
- specific detail/ observation is noted to be related - related lit is reviewed - formal hypothesis is conducted
What is the process of inductive reasoning?
an expected relationship between two variables
What must the hypothesis state with regards to the two or more varaibles used in a research study?
complex: IV: type of model used DV: Patient satifaction, absenteeism, perception of work environment
What type of hypothesis is this? What is the Iv(s) and DV(s)? Nurses who deliver nursing care using a primary nursing model will have an increase in patient satisfaction with nursing care, a decrease in absenteeism, and an improvement in their perception of the work environment as compared with nurses who deliver nursing care by the conventional method of team nursing.
independent variable
A variable that is manipulated and controlled by the researcher; also called a predictor variable. Usually symbolized by the letter X.
dependent variable
A variable that is observed for changes or to assess the possible effect of a treatment or manipulation; may be the effect or outcome of an experimental procedure; also referred to as a criterion or outcome variable. Usually symbolized by the letter Y.
deductive
If a hypothesis is based on a the comprehensive theoretical framework is is (inductive/deductive)
dependent
(Dependent/Independent) variable is the observed outcome and is usually represented by Y
independent
(Dependent/Independent) variable is the treatment or the variable that is manipulated its usually represented by X
Directional; nondirectional
(Directional/nondirectional) hypotheses are clearer and more logical than (Directional/nondirectional) hypotheses
research (scientific)
(Null/Research) hypotheses can be simple or complex, directional or nondirectional
1. simple vs. complex 2. nondirectional vs. directional 3. statisitical vs. research
3 classifications of hypothesis
Extraneous
A variable not under investigation but may, or may not, be relevant to the study
extraneous variable
A variable that is not controlled for in a study, threatening the internal validity of the study.
testable; proven
A well-stated hypothesis must be ______ but can never be _______.
true
T/F Extraneous variables exist in all studies
false (can only manipulate conditions that affect the variability in the DV)
T/F Researchers can manipuatle the dependenet varaible
experimental; treatment; intervention; predictor
Terms that can be used to describe independent varaibles
dependent
The ________ variable, is the variable that is observed for change or reaction after the treatment is applied.
prediction about the outcome of the study
The hypothesis is the researcher's..
variables being studied; population being studied; predicted outcomes
The hypothesis statement includes ___________, ___________, and _________
So that the reader can specifying how the variables will be measured in terms of the instruments, scales, or both
The meaning behind having varaible being operationally defined
1. guide scientific injury to advance knowledge 2. provide direction for the research design and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data 3. provide a way to reporting the conclusions of a study
The purposes for a hypothesis
collect data that either support or refute the hypothesis
The researcher sets to (prove/ collect data) on the hypothesis
dependent; independent
The variable that is underinvestigaton is _______; the one that is mainpuated is _____
Correlational analyses
Type of statistical analysis that evaluates hypothesis that is conducted to determine the existence, type, and strength of the relationship between the variables being studied.
Inferential statistics
Type of statistical analysis that is used to evaluate hypotheses that examine differences between and among categories or levels of variables.
operationally
Variables identified in hypotheses must be (conceptually/ operationally) defined
Subjects = Patients X = Internal mammary artery grafting following coronary artery bypass surgery Y = Greater chest pain or discomfort
What are the subjects, dependent, and independent variables in this senario? Patients who have had internal mammary artery grafting following coronary artery bypass surgery will experience greater chest pain or discomfort than will patients who have had saphenous vein grafting.
state clearly and concisely the expected relationship (or difference) between two or more variables
What do good hypothesis do?
When a study is completed and a significant relationship exists between two variables or there is a difference between groups
What does "rejecting the null hypothesis" mean?
- describing varaibles - examining relationships among variables - determining differences between two or more groups regarding the selected variable(s).
What does a research question focus on?
internal validity of the study
What does extraneous variables threaten?
simple IV: water tempature DV: systolic blood pressure
What type of hypothesis is this? What is the Iv(s) and DV(s)? Healthy young adults who consume 720 mL of ice water within 10 minutes will have a significant increase in systolic blood pressure as compared with healthy young adults who consume 720 mL of room- temperature water within 10 minutes.
complex IV: time of teaching DV: request for pain meds, preception of pain level
What type of hypothesis is this? What is the Iv(s) and DV(s)? Abdominal surgery patients who received preoperative teaching will have a decreased perception of pain and request fewer analgesics than patients undergoing abdominal surgery who receive structured postoperative teaching.
complex IV: time of feedings DV: time of stool, level of bilirubin, jaundice, weigth loss
What type of hypothesis is this? What is the Iv(s) and DV(s)? Newborns fed at 1, 2, and 3 hours of life (HOL) produce stool earlier, have lower serum indirect bilirubin levels, less observed jaundice at 48 HOL, and a lower percentage of weight loss than do infants initially fed at 4 HOL.
simple IV: knowlege level DV: compliance to adherace
What type of hypothesis is this? What is the Iv(s) and DV(s)? Patients with greater knowledge of diabetes will have significantly higher rates of adherence to the treatment regimen than will patients who have less knowledge about diabetes.
when prior knowledge of the topic is limited and research seeks to identify or desricbe the phenomena
When are Research questions utlized?
QUANtitative research.
When are extraneous variables of primary concern?
for research that is classified as descriptive
When are hypothesis not need?
"greater than," "less than," "positively," "negatively," and "difference"
Words that denote the direction of the proposed hypotheses
deductive; inductive
________ reasoning is the pattern of "figuring out what's there," whereas ______ reasoning begins with a structure that guides one's search for "what's there"
conceptually; operationally
All nouns in hypotheses or research questions should be defined first ______ and then ______
independent
An ________ variable is a variable that is observed, introduced, or manipulated to determine the effect it has on another variable.
Simple; nursing research involves human beings, who are complex.
Are simple or complex hypothesis easier to test, measure, and analyze?Why?
two hypotheses are often stated
Because null hypotheses do not reflect the researcher's true expectations of a study's results, what often happens?
their relationship to the problem.
Concepts and variables need to be logically defined according to...
there is insufficient evidence to support the idea of a real difference.
Failure to reject the null or statistical hypothesis implies what?
1. How is X described? (describing variables) 2. What is the perception of X? (describing variables) 3. Is X related to Y? (examining relationships) 4. What is the relationship between X and Y? (examining relationships) 5. Is there a difference between groups 1 and 2 with respect to Y? (determining differences)
General model for a reserach question
by statistical analysis
How are hypothesis evaluated?
by confirming or not confirming relationships
How do hypotheses advance scientific knowlege?
research questions are more precise and specific.
How do interrogative statements in a research question compare to the problem statement?
1 IV; 1 DV (2 variables)
How many IV and DVs are there in a simple hypothesis?
they can confuse the interpretation of the results and confound the effects of the independent variable
If you dont take externous varaibled into account what can occur?
t-test, analysis of variance
Methods that will be utilized with inferential statistics
null
Null or research? Performing crossword puzzles has no effect on the development of Alzheimer's disease among elderly adults
acceptance of the research hypothesis.
Rejection of the null or statistical hypothesis is similar to ...
Quasi-experimental and experimental
Research designs have been developed to control the influence of extraneous variables
interrogative statements
Research questions are written as ________ that seeks an answer.
naturally from the purpose statment narrowing focus of study
Research questions should flow from what?
Include research variables and the population to be studied
Research quetsions should inculde what?
data must support the hypotheses for a study to be successful; Some of the most important findings have come from research in which the data did not support the hypotheses
A common misconception about research studies
research question
A concise, interrogative statement written in the present tense including one or more variables.
Subjects who receive X are more likely to have Y than subjects who do not receive X.
A general model for stating hypotheses
hypothesis
A good _______ will state clearly and concisely the expected relationship or difference b/t two or more variables in measurable terms
existing
A hypothesis is bulit on (new/existing) knowledge
research hypothesis (H' or Ha)
A hypothesis stating a relationship or difference between two variables. Also called an alternative, declarative, or scientific hypothesis.
null hypothesis
A hypothesis stating that no relationship or difference exists between two variables. Also called statistical hypothesis.
nondirectional hypothesis
A hypothesis that does not stipulate in advance the direction and nature of the relationship between two variables.
directional hypothesis
A hypothesis that makes a specific prediction about the relationship between two variables. -complex hypothesis -simple hypothesis -nondirectional hypothesis -directional hypothesis
more difficult (Limiting hypotheses to a single relationship between two variables adds clarity)
A hypothesis that states several relationships among variables can be (more difficult/ easier) to decipher.
variable
A measurable characteristic that varies among the subjects being studied.
variable
A measurable characteristic that varies in a population.
clear, concise, interrogative statement; present; one or more variable
A research question is a _________ that is stated in the ______ tense and includes ______
hypothesis
A statement about the relationship between the variables that are being investigated
simple hypothesis
A statement explaining and/or predicting a relationship between one independent and one dependent variable.
complex hypothesis
A statement explaining and/or predicting relationships between two or more independent and dependent variables. -complex hypothesis -simple hypothesis -nondirectional hypothesis -directional hypothesis
hypothesis
A statement that explains or predicts the relationship or differences between TWO OR MORE variables in terms of expected results or outcomes of a study.
hypothesis genetrating study
A study that is done and the outcome allows the researcher to bring data togeher to form a hypothesis for future studies
Simple hypothesis
A type of hypothesis that states the relationship between TWO variables ONLY by using a simple but clearly stated format
nondirectional (says there is a relationship but doesn't have a direction to take the study)
Is this directional or nondirectional? There is a relationship between amount of carmel color ingested and C-Reactive protein levels among adult Asian women
directional (has a relatinship and a direction to take the study)
Is this directional or nondirectional? Women who receive the Sister to Sister intervention will have a higher 6 month continuous smoking abstinence than women who do not receive the intervention
research; directional
Most hypotheses are ________ hypotheses and _______ because they PREDICT the DIRECTION of the outcome
What type of hypothesis is best for your study? Is the study you are planning feasible?
Most important questions for deciding weather to use a simple or complex hypothesis
research
Null or Research hypothesis? Elderly adults who regularly perform crossword puzzles are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than elderly adults who do not regularly perform crossword puzzles
state variables that are pertinent to the study
Stating hypotheses and research questions requires the researcher to do what?
statistical strategy
Stragiety that is used with null hypothesis that is when a research hypothesis is made, data is analyzed assuming the null hypothesis, and make inferences based on the target population
false (A hypothesis should involve at least two variables and possibly more)
T/F A hypothesis must contain either one or two variables.
true (only supported or not supported based on collection and analysis of data)
T/F Hypotheses are never proved right or wrong through hypothesis testing
true
T/F Hypothesis are supported or not supported based on collection and analysis of data
false (can be supported, accepted, rejected, or not supported)
T/F Hypothesis can be proven
true
T/F Not all studies have both research questions and hypotheses.
false
T/F Null/ statistical hypothesis reflect the researchers true expectations of the study
true (cant be proven but the more times you suport it the grater the belife for the oustcome will be)
T/F Repeated support often leads to acceptance of truth
TRUE (indicate what the researcher expects to find as a result of conducting a study)
T/F Research hypothesis reflect the researchers true expectations of the study
1. A declarative research hypothesis may be used to communicate the researcher's true expectations 2. Nullhypothesis to permit statistical testing.
The two hypothesis that are normally done when a Null hypothesis is involved
- sample - measuring instruments - design - procedure collecting data
Things that need to be decided before a hypothesis can be tested
literature review
This identifies prior findings and provides a basis for understanding how the proposed study relates to previous knowledge
nondirectional hypothesis
Type of hypothesis that states a relationship between variables, but it has no specific direction
research hypothesis (or scientific or alternative)
Type of hypothesis that states that a relationship or difference exists between variables.
null/ statistical hypothesis
Type of hypothesis that states that no relationship (or difference) exists between two variables.
directional hypothesis
Type of hypothesis that states the direction of the relationship between variables.
complex hypothesis
Type of hypothesis that states the relationship between two or more independent variables and two or more dependent variables
inductive reasoning hypothesis
Type of reasoning that could bring a hypothesis about that moved from specific observations to those that are general
Deductive hypotheses
Type of reasoning that could bring a hypothesis that are derived from theory and contribute to the science of nursing by providing evidence that supports, expands, or contradicts a given theory
descriptive research
Type of research that does not need a hypothesis and is important for laying the foundation for further study
independent (experimental/ treatment) variable
Type of variable that is used to explain or predict a result or outcome
dependent (outcome) variables
Type of variable that reflects the effects of or response to independent variables
conceptual models or findings from previous research
What are directional hypothesis usaully from?
Subjects = Children aged 5 to 10 years X = Provided with prior information Y = Less postoperative anxiety
What are the subjects, dependent, and independent variables in this senario? Children aged 5 to 10 years who are provided with prior information about their tonsillectomy will experience less postoperative anxiety than will children of the same age who do not receive information.
Subjects = Children X = Sense of humor (high versus low) Y = Better adjustment to cancer
What are the subjects, dependent, and independent variables in this senario? Children with a high sense of humor adjust better to having cancer than do those children with a low sense of humor.
Subjects = Nursing home residents X = 10 minutes of calming music Y = Less agitation
What are the subjects, dependent, and independent variables in this senario? Nursing home residents exposed to 10 minutes of calming music expe- rience less agitation than will those who receive no such intervention.
direction for the researcher's efforts and determine the research method and type of data to be collected.
What do hypothesis prodive for the researcher?
- study design - sampling technique - plans for data collection
What does Hypotheses and research questions influence?
reevaluate the hypothesis
What does a lack of support in research data force the researcher to do?
makes it easier for readers to understand and formulate conclusions following data analysis.
What does a simple hypothesis do for the reader?
simple IV: type of injection used DV: discomfort level
What type of hypothesis is this? What is the Iv(s) and DV(s)? Subjects will have less discomfort following administration of the two- track intramuscular injection compared with administration by standard injection.
after the review of literature has been completed
When are hypothesis and research questions forumalted?
when prior knowledge of the phenomenon is limited and the research seeks to identify or describe a phenomenon (exploratory or descriptive studies), or both.
When are researched questioned used?
used when past research provides conflicting results or when the direction of the relationship is unknown
When is nondirectional hypothesis used?
few studies are really designed to verify a non existing relastionship
Why are null hypotheses often not stated in journal articles?
used because they suit the statistical techniques that determine whether an observed relationship is probably a chance relationship or probably a true relationship.
Why are null/ statistical hypothesis usuallly used?
so that you can make a judgment about the applicability of the findings t to a particular population n
Why is it important to know how subjects are defined?
so that it can be tested
Why must a hypothesis contain 2 or more variables?
