UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

College of Arts and Sciences

Psychology Department
3rd Trimester, 2019-2020

P115 ( Research in psychology 1)

Course Facilitator: Herminio Sagario

Module 5:
Problems and Hypotheses

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to formulate a research problem and
Hypothesis

Instructional Materials:
Power point slides
Handouts
Video (7 minutes) Research questions, hypothesis and variables:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BmjujlZExQ

Teaching-learning activity/lesson proper

THE PROBLEM
• The major problem is the whole focus of the study which is reflected in
the title
• The minor problems are the subdivisions or the breakdown of the main
variable into its main components
• When the answers to the sub problems are put together, they answer
the main questions
• A felt need or difficulty that constitute questions which can be
answered by means of a thorough investigation of the issues
surrounding it.
Problem Identification
o When there is an absence of information resulting in a gap in
knowledge
o When there are contrary findings
o When a fact exists and you intend to make your study explain it.
CHARACTERICTICS OF GOOD PROBLEM
• It should be a good problem to the researcher
• It should be researchable
• It should have practical or theoretical significance.
Criteria for Sound Problem Statements
• Problem statements must be stated unambiguously, usually as questions
• Except for simple explanatory studies, problem statements must include
at least two variables
• Problem statements must be testable
• Problem statements must not advance personal value judgements
 • Problem statements must be clear grammatical statements
RESEARCH TITLE
• Research Title must be reflective of its problem
• It must answer the following questions:
o What question- will answer THE FOLLOWING
▪ What are you trying to investigate?
▪ What are you trying to find out, determine or discover?
o Who question- will answer who are the respondents or subjects of
the study
o Where question- will indicate the research locale, setting or the
place where the research study is conducted.
Criteria in selecting a problem
• Novelty of the problem
• Can the desired inquiry be put through?
• Can I do the job?
• Is it a job I want to tackle?
Guidelines in selecting a problem
• Personally chosen by the researcher
• Within his interest
• Within his specialization
• Within his competence to tackle
• Within his ability to finance
• It is researchable and manageable
• Can be completed within a reasonable period of time unless the study
is longitudinal
• Significant, important and relevant to the present time and situation
• Contribute to the fund or dearth of human knowledge
• Must not undermine the moral and spiritual values of people
HYPOTHESIS
• A statement temporarily accepted as true in the light of what is, at all
time, known about a phenomenon, and it is employed as a basis for
action in the search for new truth.
Importance of hypothesis:
• Limits the field of investigation
• Sensitize the observation to pertinent facts
• Collates facts observed about different phenomena
Characteristics of GOOD hypothesis
• In agreement with observed facts;
• Not in conflict with any law of nature known to be true
• Stated in the simplest terms possible
• Deductions can be made from it; capable of empirical verifications
Characteristics of USABLE hypothesis
• Must be conceptually clear
• Should have empirical reference
• It must be specific
• Should be related to available techniques
• Must be related to a body of theory
 • Should state relationships between variables
• Should state measurable variables
• Must be consistent with most known facts
• Should be agreeable to testing within a reasonable time
• Should be stated as far as possible in simple terms
Elements of good hypothesis
1. Logical
• founded in established theories or developed from the results of
previous research
2. Testable
• it must be possible to observe and measure all the variables involved
3. Refutable
• it must be possible to obtain research results that are contrary to the
prediction
4. Positive
• It must make a positive statement about the existence of something

References:
Ardales, V. (2008). Basic concepts and methods in research. 3rd Ed. Ermita
Manila.

Adanza, E.G., Bermudo, P.J.V., & Rasonabe, M.B. (2009)Methods of research : a

primer. Manila : Rex Book Store.
Elmes, D. G. (2012) Research methods in psychology. 9th ed. Belmont, Calif. :
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Evans, A. N. (2011) Methods in psychological research. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks,
Calif. :SAGE.

Psychological Research Methods: Retrieved 8 January 2019 from www.stat-

help.com/methods.pdf.htm
Research Methods in psychology: Retrieved 10 January 2019 from
psychology.about.com/.../researchmethods/Psychology_Research_Methods.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BmjujlZExQ