Research

Methods 1
Variables & Hypothesis

by Bailey C.
Learning objectives
◎ Able to explain the process of scientific research
◎ Able to formulate research question for a scientific
study
◎ Able to identify variables in scientific research
◎ Able to formulate hypotheses for a scientific study
Chapter overview
Identifying
Identifying Formulating
research
variables hypothesis
problem

Research Independent
Null hypothesis
problem variables

Dependent Directional
Research aim
variables hypothesis

Research Operationalization Non-directional

question of variables hypothesis

Extraneous
variables

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Recap:
What are the importances
of scientific research?
◎ Add to existing knowledge
◎ Suggest improvements for practice
◎ Inform policy debates

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 Recap:
What are the steps of
scientific research?

Define a Form Run the Collect Analyze Draw

question hypothesis test data data conclusion

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 Recap:
Research is an integral part of
daily life
Add to existing Suggest improvement Inform policy
knowledge for practice debates

Encounter problem Seek understanding Find solution Change practice

Student Failed in an exam What is the cause? How can I perform Change learning
better next time? method
Teacher Students do not Why students find it How should I Change teaching
understand the difficult to understand conduct lessons in method
lessons the lesson? the classroom?
Friend Being sad and What makes me sad How can I cheer Learn to regulate
depressed and depressed? myself up? emotions

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 1.
Identifying
research
problem
Define a Form Run the Collect Analyze Draw
question hypothesis test data data conclusion

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Identify research problem
Why is it important?

Helps to clearly Helps to guide

Clarify why the
identify the goals activities and
research is
and scope of the decisions of the
valuable
research researchers

Allows the issues to be studied in a systematic way

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 Identify research problem
General Topic Online learning

Research Students obtained poorer result when they

problem learn online.

Research To investigate how online learning affect

aim students’ academic performance.

Research Does the duration of online learning

Specific question increase the CGPA among students?

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Variables

Affect
Independent Dependent
variable variable

• Cause • Effect
• Factor • Outcome

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MOVE!!
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Variables
Independent variable Dependent variable

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Operationalization of variables
◎ Define and measure a specific variable in the study
◎ Identify operations that will showcase values of a
variable in the study

Measurable,
Abstract
Operationalization observable
concept
concept
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Operationalization of variables

◎ Example: To investigate the effect of motivation on

training performance among badminton players.

How do we make it measurable?

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Operationalization
◎ Example: To investigate the effect of motivation level
on training performance among badminton players.

Independent variable Dependent variable

How to measure motivation level? How to measure training performance?

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.
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Variables
Variable Operationalization

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Extraneous variables

◎ Any factor that is not the independent variable that

can affect the dependent variable
◎ Example: To investigate the effect of motivation level
on training performance among badminton players.

Independent variable Dependent variable Extraneous variables

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Control of extraneous variables

To investigate the effect of motivation level on training

performance among badminton players.

Extraneous variables How to control?

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Time to
practice

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Researchers want to know if
1. spending too much time on social media lower teenager’s self-esteem.
2. the presentation of the food affects the taste.
3. vaccines cause autism among children.
4. video games lead to violence in adults.
5. meditation helps to manage chronic pain among cancer patients

Topic Independent Dependent Research Research Research

variable variable problem aim question
1.

2.

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 2.
Forming
hypothesis

Define a Form Run the Collect Analyze Draw

question hypothesis test data data conclusion

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Hypothesis
• Written before the study is carried out
Prediction • State the prediction of the outcome of the study

Educated guess • Prediction made based on past studies

Falsifiable • Can be tested and can be shown that it is wrong

Example: There is a significant negative relationship between time

spend on social media and self-esteem among teenagers.

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 Hypothesis
Null hypothesis Predicts that there is
(i) no significant relationship between variable A and variable B
(ii) no significant difference between group A and B in terms of
(variable)

Alternative hypothesis Predicts that there is

(Directional hypothesis) (i) A significant positive relationship between variable A and
variable B
(ii) a significant negative relationship between variable A and
variable B
Alternative hypothesis Predicts that there is
(Non-directional (i) a significant relationship between variable A and variable B
hypothesis) (ii) a significant difference between group A and B in terms of
(variable)

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 Hypothesis (template)
Null hypothesis There is no significant relationship between variable A and
variable B
There is no significant difference between group A and
group B in terms of (variable)

Alternative hypothesis There is a significant positive / negative relationship

(Directional hypothesis) between variable A and variable B

Alternative hypothesis There is a significant relationship between variable A and

(Non-directional variable B
hypothesis) There is a significant difference between group A and group
B in terms of (variable).

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 What does it
mean by
“significant”?
o There is no significant difference between IV
and DV.
o There is a significant positive relationship
between IV and DV.
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Significant (statistically
significant)
Unlikely to be explained solely by chance of random factors

Significant difference Significant relationship

• There is a measurable • There is a measurable

difference between the relationship between
groups variables
• The probability of obtaining • The probability of obtaining
that difference by chance is the relationship by chance is
very small (usually less than very small (usually less than
5%) 5%)
Try writing your hypothesis 1

You want to know if the level of social

isolation is related to achievement test
result among university students.

Null hypothesis

Non-directional
hypothesis
Directional
hypothesis

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Try writing your hypothesis 2

You want to know if male and female

university students are different in terms
of achievement test score.

Null hypothesis

Non-directional
hypothesis
Directional
hypothesis

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Summary
Identifying
Identifying Formulating
research
variables hypothesis
problem

Research Independent
Null hypothesis
problem variables

Dependent Directional
Research aim
variables hypothesis

Research Operationalization Non-directional

question of variables hypothesis

Extraneous
variables

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Time to
test
yourself

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Researcher wants to know if corporal
punishment affects academic
performance among elementary school
children.
◎ State:
○ Independent variable
○ Null hypothesis
○ Dependent variable
○ Directional hypothesis
○ Extraneous variable
○ Non-directional hypothesis
○ Research problem
○ Research aim
○ Research question

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