RESEARCH REVIEWER - A hypothesis articulates predictions about the findings of your

research.
Research Process
1. Identification of Research Problem
- A problem identified by the researcher serves as a focal point
throughout the research process.
- It forms the foundation for all subsequent research activities.
- Guides the researcher in developing the hypothesis,
workplan, interpretation of findings, and conclusion.
- Each step in the process and its corresponding output is
essential and valuable in relation to the identified problem.
- The significance of the identified problem is a key evaluation
criterion for assessing research success.
- In identifying the research problem, clarity, organization, and
specificity are crucial.
- The problem statement must define the scope and set limits
to determine the feasibility of the investigation.
- It goes beyond a mere guess, relying on existing theories and
knowledge.
- The hypothesis must be testable, allowing support or refutation
through scientific research methods.
- Scientific research methods include experiments, observations,
and statistical analysis of data.
- Variables in Hypotheses:
- Hypotheses propose a relationship between two or more
variables in research.
- Independent variables are manipulated or controlled by the
researcher.
- Dependent variables are observed and measured by the
researcher.
- Developing a Hypothesis:
1. Ask a Question:
- Begin with a focused, specific, and researchable question.

2. Do Some Preliminary Research:

2. Formulation of Hypotheses - Construct a conceptual framework to identify study variables
- The hypothesis functions as a tentative solution to the problem and their relationships.
before experimentation.
- It serves as a crucial guide in the research work or design. 3. Formulate Your Hypothesis:
- The hypothesis is tested through actual experimentation. - Write a clear, concise sentence reflecting your initial answer
- It is grounded in the objectives of the study, guiding the to the research question.
experimental design.
4. Refine Your Hypothesis:
- Ensure specificity and testability.
 - Include:
- Relevant variables.
- Specific group being studied.
- Predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis.
5. Phrase Your Hypothesis in Three Ways:
- Use if…then form to identify variables.
- If a first-year student starts attending more lectures, then
their exam scores will improve.
- For statistical hypothesis testing, include a null hypothesis
(H0) assuming no association.
- Note:
- Hypotheses should be based on existing knowledge and
theories.
- Must be testable through scientific research methods
(experiments, observations, statistical analysis).
- The hypothesis can be stated in various forms:
a. The null statement
b. The alternative statement
c. The cause and effect
3. Review of Related Literature
- In some cases, a research problem is not immediately
recognized; preliminary literature surveys are essential.
- A preliminary survey involves reading various publications and
exploring the internet.
- It helps in becoming aware of previous works and may inspire
ideas for research investigations.
- Even experienced researchers utilize this step to avoid
duplicating others' studies, unless validation with advanced
techniques is necessary.
- The process ensures researchers stay informed about existing
knowledge and potential research gaps.
- Initiating the Literature Review:
- Begins before formulating research aims and objectives.
- Aims to check if the research problem has been addressed
previously.
- Primary Focus of Literature Review:
- Conducted mainly after formulating research aims and
objectives.
- Utilizes various secondary data sources: books, newspapers,
magazines, journals, online articles, etc.
- Purpose of Writing a Literature Review:
- Essential when writing a thesis, dissertation, or research paper.
- Avoids duplication: Prevents repeating recent work.
- Finds existing knowledge: Identifies what others have learned
and reported on the problem.
- Familiarizes with methodology: Helps understand
methodologies followed by others.
- Relevance of concepts and theories: Assists in understanding
relevant concepts and theories in the research area.
- Identifies controversies and inconsistencies: Highlights
significant debates and contradictions in findings.
- Uncovers unanswered research questions: Reveals areas with
gaps in knowledge.
 - Develops an analytical framework: Aids in constructing an
analytical framework for the research.
- Expands consideration of variables: Encourages inclusion of
variables not initially considered.
- Writing Tips for the Literature Review:
- Summarize and Synthesize:
- Provide an overview of each source's main points.
- Combine information into a coherent whole.
- Analyze and Interpret:
- Go beyond paraphrasing, add personal interpretations.
- Discuss the significance of findings in relation to the entire
literature.
- Critically Evaluate:
- Mention strengths and weaknesses of sources.
- Well-Structured Writing:
- Use well-structured paragraphs with transition words and topic
sentences.
- Draw connections, comparisons, and contrasts.
- Characteristics of a Good Literature Review:
- Doesn't merely summarize sources; it analyzes, synthesizes, and
critically evaluates.
- Provides a clear picture of the existing knowledge on the
subject.
4. Preparation of Research Design
- A research design serves as the work plan for the research
investigation.
- Specifies resources needed and how they will be utilized to
address the problem.
- Systematizes work during actual experimentation.
- Maximizes research output by providing a plan to follow and
revise if necessary.
- Facilitates efficient experimentation, guiding the researcher in
the laboratory.
- Ensures only relevant data is collected, specifying how and what
data should be obtained.
- A valid research design is fundamental to the validity of the
entire research.
- The research design is a practical framework for answering
research questions.
- Involves decisions about data type, collection and analysis
methods, location, and timescale.
- Priorities drive decisions: determine causes/effects, draw
generalizable conclusions, or understand specific context details.
- Essential components of a research design include:
- Type of data needed
- Location and timescale of the research
- Participants and sources
- Variables and hypotheses (if relevant)
- Methods for collecting and analyzing data
- Sets parameters for the project, determining inclusions and
exclusions.
- Defines criteria for evaluating results and drawing conclusions.
 - Reliability and validity hinge on how data is collected, measured,
analyzed, and interpreted.
- Crucial for a successful research proposal, scientific paper, or
dissertation.
- Factors to consider in creating a research design:
1. Consider Your Priorities and Practicalities:
- Multiple possible research designs with tradeoffs.
- Choices depend on priorities, involving some tradeoffs.
2. Addressing Weaknesses:
- If one design is weak in an area, another design can cover that
aspect of the research study.
3. Adaptability to Different Priorities:
- Research design depends on researcher priorities, allowing for
multiple designs based on study goals.
5. Actual Experimentation
- Actual experimentation implements the research work plan or
design.
- An experiment is a learning task that generates observations or
data.
- Processing and analyzing the data result in solving the research
problem or triggering further studies.
- In the experimental method, a condition or parameter (variable)
is consciously manipulated.
- The manipulated condition is often referred to as a treatment.
- The outcome or effect of the manipulation is observed on other
variables.
- Variables have different names based on their role:
- Independent variable: Manipulated condition within the
experiment.
- Dependent variable: Event or outcome affected by the
manipulation of the independent variable.
6. Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Data gathered are organized into tables and graphs before
analysis using statistical methods.
- Statistical conclusions are explained in simpler terms related to
research objectives.
- A crucial step during an experiment involves data analysis,
interpretation, and conclusion formulation.
- Data can be analyzed through:
- Presentation in table format (data table).
- Processing data through graphical manipulation to visually
discern variable differences.
- Scientific data collection requires careful and systematic
approaches.
- Systematic and consistent data collection methods are crucial for
building on existing work.
- Detailed records are essential for transparency and
reproducibility.
- Thoughtful and systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation
of data allow development into evidence.
- Data collection involves systematic recording; data analysis
uncovers patterns and trends.
 - Data interpretation explains these patterns and trends, influenced
by scientists' knowledge and experience.
- Different scientists may interpret the same data differently.
- Publishing data and analysis techniques allow review and use in
future research by the scientific community.
7. Formulation of Conclusion
- A conclusion summarizes the significant results of the
experiment.
- Marks the end of the research, often suggesting unanswered
questions for future investigations.
- Allows readers to evaluate the merit of completed research based
on objectives and conclusion.
- Steps to consider in the conclusion:
- Answer the main research question.
- Summarize and reflect on the research.
- Make recommendations for future work.
- Emphasize contributions to knowledge in the field.
- Examples provided for framing answers, summarizing research,
making recommendations, and emphasizing contributions.
- Recommendations should be framed as suggestions rather than
imperatives for practical implementation.
- Ensure recommendations for further research don't undermine
the completed work.

- Conclusions assess the achievement of research aims and

objectives.
- Justification of why research aims and objectives have been met
is necessary.
- Includes coverage of research limitations and suggestions for
future studies.
- The main purposes of a conclusion are to:
- Clearly state the answer to the main research question.
- Summarize and reflect on the research.
- Make recommendations for future work on the topic.
- Show the new knowledge contributed.

- The conclusion should be concise and engaging, leaving the

reader with a clear understanding of the main discovery or
argument.