Problems and Hypotheses Problems and hypotheses, then, have important virtues.
One and Two • One, they direct investigation. The relations expressed in the hypotheses tell the investigator, in effect, what to do. • Two, problems and hypotheses, because they are ordinary generalized relational statements, enable the researcher to deduce specific empirical manifestations implied by the problem and hypotheses
Problem • A problem, then is an interrogative sentence or statement that ask: “What relation exist between two or more variables ?” The answer is what is being sought in the research.
The problems
• The problem is….. • The purpose of this study is………ask question.
Example of problems • Page: is : Do teacher comments cause improvement in student performance? • -teacher comments (or reinforcement) • -student performance • Harlow: is more complex: • “Under what conditions does learning how to learn transfer to new situation? • - learning how to learn (or set) • - transfer (of learning)
Hurlock • “What are the effects on pupil performance of different types of incentives?” • Question form • State a relation between variables,: incentives & student performance (achievement) • Problems
Hypotheses • …is a conjectural statement of the relation between two or more variables • ---declarative sentence form, and they relate: Group A and B will differ on some characteristic • …hypotheses can be deduced from theory and from other hypotheses
Example :Hypotheses
• Middle class children more often than lower-class children will avoid finger painting tasks