research methodology , Hypothesis.pptx
- 1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY UNIT- 1 Formulation of Hypothesis and Research Proposal
- 3. Meaning And Characteristics Of Hypothesis Hypothesis is often considered a tentative and testable statement of the possible relationship between two or more events / variables under investigation. According to Mcguigan (1990), ‘a testable statement of a potential relationship between two or more variables, i.e. advance as potential solution to the problem’. Kerlinger (1973) defined ‘a hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relation between two or more variables’. In order to be useful in any study, the hypothesis needs to be stated in such a way that it might be subjected to empirical testing. The researcher is responsible to suggest or find some way to check how the hypothesis stands against empirical data. When a hypothesis is formulated, the investigator must determine usefulness of the formulated hypothesis.
- 4. Meaning And Characteristics Of Hypothesis A good hypothesis is one which meets such criteria to a large extent. Some of these characteristics are enumerated below: Hypothesis should be conceptually clear Hypothesis must be testable Hypothesis should be related to the existing body or theory and impact Hypothesis should have logical unity and comprehensiveness Hypothesis should be capable of verification Hypothesis should be operationisable.
- 5. Types Of Hypotheses Hypotheses can be classified into several types, like universal hypotheses, existential hypotheses, conceptual hypotheses, etc. Broadly, there are two categories of the hypothesis: Null hypothesis Alternative hypothesis
- 6. Types of Hypotheses Null hypothesis (H₀): This is the default assumption, stating that there is no significant difference or no relationship between the variables being studied. It acts as a baseline for comparison. Alternative hypothesis (H₁): This is the opposite of the null hypothesis. It proposes that there is a difference or a relationship between the variables. This is what the researcher is actually interested in testing. Here's an analogy: Imagine you flip a coin. The null hypothesis (H₀) would be that the coin toss has a 50% chance of landing on heads and a 50% chance of landing on tails (no difference). The alternative hypothesis (H₁) could be that the coin is biased towards heads (or tails). By statistically analyzing data, researchers aim to reject the null hypothesis and provide evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis. It's important to note that rejecting the null hypothesis doesn't necessarily confirm the alternative hypothesis, it just means there's evidence a difference exists and further exploration might be warranted.
- 9. Feasibility Study A feasibility study is a detailed analysis that considers all of the critical aspects of a proposed project to determine the likelihood of its success. Success in business may be defined primarily by return on investment, meaning that the project will generate enough profit to justify the investment. However, many other important factors may be identified on the plus or minus side, such as community reaction and environmental impact. Although feasibility studies can help project managers determine the risk and return of pursuing a plan of action, several steps should be considered before moving forward.
- 11. Research Proposal A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research. Research proposal aims • Relevance – Shows the reader why your project is interesting, original, and important. • Context - Demonstrate comfort and familiarity with your field. Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic. • Approach - Make a case for your methodology. Demonstrate that you have carefully thought about the data, tools, and procedures necessary to conduct your research. • Achievability - Confirm that your project is feasible within the timeline of your program or funding deadline.
- 12. Title page Like a dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes: The proposed title of your project Your name Your supervisor’s name Your institution and department
- 13. Introduction The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for the project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why. Your introduction should Introduce your topic Give necessary background and context Outline your problem statement and research questions. To guide your introduction, include information about: Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers) How much is already known about the topic What is missing from this current knowledge What new insights your research will contribute Why you believe this research is worth doing
- 14. Literature review A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own. In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by: Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship
- 15. Research design and methods Building a research proposal methodology Research type •Qualitative or quantitative? •Original data collection or primary and secondary source analysis? •Descriptive, correlational, or experimental research design? Population and sample •Who or what will you study (e.g., high school students in New York; local newspaper archives 1976-80)? •How will you select your subjects (e.g., probability sampling, non-probability sampling)? •When and where will you collect your data? Research methods •What data collection tools and procedures will you use (e.g., surveys, interviews, observational studies, experiments)? •Why? Practicalities •How much time will you need? •How will you gain access to your population? •How will you address any obstacles you face?
- 16. Contribution to knowledge To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters. For example, your results might have implications for: Improving best practices Informing policymaking decisions Strengthening a theory or model Challenging popular or scientific beliefs Creating a basis for future research
- 17. Reference list Last but not least, the research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list. To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator / Reference managers.
- 18. Research schedule • Provide a detailed project timeline, including forecasted activities for each stage and their expected durations. Check the project requirements before finalizing the timeline. Example research schedule Research phase Objectives Deadline 1. Background research and literature review •Meet with supervisor for initial discussion •Read and analyze relevant literature •Use new knowledge to refine research questions •Develop theoretical framework 20th January 2. Research design planning •Design questionnaires •Identify channels for recruiting participants •Finalize sampling methods and data analysis methods 13th February 3. Data collection and preparation •Recruit participants and send out questionnaires •Conduct semi-structured interviews with selected participants •Transcribe and code interviews •Clean data 24th March 4. Data analysis •Statistically analyze survey data •Conduct thematic analysis of interview transcripts •Draft results and discussion chapters 22nd April 5. Writing •Complete a full thesis draft •Meet with supervisor to discuss feedback and revisions 17th June 6. Revision •Complete 2nd draft based on feedback •Get supervisor approval for final draft •Proofread •Print and bind final work •Submit 28th July
- 19. Budget If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost. Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include: Cost: exactly how much money do you need? Justification: why is this cost necessary to complete the research? Source: how did you calculate the amount? To determine your budget, think about: Travel costs: do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)? Materials: do you need access to any tools or technologies? Help: do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?