The Research Process: Asking Questions & Hypotheses

• The research process involves a series of steps to investigate a question or phenomenon

Step 1: Ask a Question

• A research question should be relevant, important, and contribute to existing knowledge
• It should be practical and not waste time or resources

Step 2: Study the Literature

• Review existing research and theory critically using tools like PsycINFO
• Use previous research to generate new hypotheses and knowledge

Step 3: Develop Hypotheses

• A hypothesis is a testable prediction about a phenomenon
• It involves at least two variables and specifies a relationship between them, either causal or correlational
• Identify independent (IV) and dependent (DV) variables for the hypothesis

Hypothesis Criteria

• A hypothesis must be testable, requiring constructs with adequate operational definitions
• Construct: A psychological concept or idea needing objective measurement
• Operational definition: Defines constructs in measurable terms
• A testable hypothesis should make a prediction
• Included constructs need to have operational definitions
• A hypothesis cannot be circular; it should not define something by itself
• A hypothesis needs to be falsifiable
• To be scientific, a statement must be open to being proven false
• A hypothesis must involve ideas recognizable to science
• Terms should be defined and falsifiable to be considered scientific
• Hypotheses should be supported by previous research or theory, not just feelings or intuition
• Ground hypotheses in existing scientific evidence

Step 4: Design a Method

• Choose reliable and valid measures for constructs
• Reliability: Consistency of a measure
• Validity: Whether the measure accurately assesses what it's supposed to
• External Validity: Applicability of results to the real world
• Qualitative (case study/interviews) vs. quantitative research (numerical data analysis)
• Correlational, experimental, or quasi-experimental designs
• Specify the sample and ensure it's representative with random assignment if possible
• Determine the necessary number of participants to detect effects

Step 5: Collect Data

• Recruit participants ethically
• Train staff to administer tasks and ensure subjects participate fully and honestly

Step 6: Enter and Analyze Data

• Use descriptive statistics to summarize the data
• Determine how participants performed on tasks
• Use measures of central tendency and variability

Step 7: Interpret the Data

• Use inferential statistics to determine if the hypothesis was supported
• Assess if manipulating the IV had a significant effect on the DV

Step 8: Disseminate the Results

• Present or publish the data through peer review
• A single study is insufficient to answer any research question
• Replication supports hypotheses and theories
• Scientific theory is the pinnacle of knowledge, supported by replicated findings
• Misuse of the term "theory" is a sign of scientific illiteracy
• In science, a theory is a rigorous, well-confirmed, and reliable form of knowledge

Explore the steps in the research process, starting with asking a relevant and important question. Learn how to study existing literature and develop testable hypotheses. Understand the criteria for a good hypothesis, including constructs and operational definitions.