How can hypothesis influence/affect research methodology?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2012

Homewrok? We're happy to help what have you come up with so far.

plethoraldork · Mar 23, 2012

Nope, not a homework. This question was asked on our written exam and I'm not sure if I have answered it correctly. I tried to google it (for my own curiosity) but I couldn't find one that's why I tried my luck to post it here maybe someone can share his/her knowledge. Sorry for asking, I'm not a research enthusiast and research is just my weakness.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2012

No apologies.....what do you say on the exam? I would think It covers evidence based practice. You have an idea, you test it and prove one method has better outcomes then that method is made the standard.

http://www.ihmctan.edu/PDF/notes/Research_Methodology.pdf

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2012

How did you answer the question? A hypothesis is the question or idea that the research is trying to answer. The researches are saying, "This is what I want to know. I think that X is going to work better than Y. Now I need to prove it."

There are a few different types of hypotheses: Inductive vs Deductive, Research and statistical, and null. Your research text book should be able to clearly define the differences for you, but here's a link that has a basic definition of each. Research Problems, Variables, and Hypotheses

Once you have a handle on the different types of hypotheses, come up with a sample hypothesis for each type. Then ask yourself these questions based on the hypothesis: "What am I trying to figure out with this research?" "How would I design my experiment in order to test this?" "What information do I already know and what do I need to know?" "What kind of participants do I need to help me with this experiment and what do I need them to do?" "Do I want the participants to know what my experiment is testing?" "What type of research design would work best for this experiment?"

Then, compare your answers to those questions, and you have the answer to your exam question. Those answers will tell you how research experiments are effected by the hypothesis that is chosen.

plethoraldork · Mar 24, 2012

i haven't completely remembered my answer but my point for that answer was that hypothesis defines what it is you intend to accept or reject as a result of your study. it directs which statistical procedures are used with the data and it provides direction for the research design, analysis and interpretation of data. something like that