A research problem
Refers to some difficulty that the researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical
situation and to which he or she wants to obtain a solution.
To answer/solve a research problem, the researcher must be able to answer the following questions:...
Refers to some difficulty that the researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical
situation and to which he or she wants to obtain a solution.
To answer/solve a research problem, the researcher must be able to answer the following questions:
1. What is the problem?
2. What is the best way to solve the problem?
LIST THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT VARIABLES
Give brief reasons for your answer (4 marks)
A variable is a property that takes two or more values and is subject to change.
A variable is a characteristic or an attribute of the study object.
This study object may be individuals, groups, organisations, human products and events or the
conditions to which they are exposed.
Independent variables affect another variable, referred to as the dependent variable.
Independent variable –
Is that factor which the researcher selects and manipulates in order to determine its effect on the observed
phenomenon (the problem that is being investigated)
The variable is considered to be independent because the researcher is interested in how it affects the other
variable(s) being studied.
In other words, the researcher seeks to find a cause and a resultant effect relationship, if it’s present.
By definition, the independent variable must have at least TWO levels in order to qualify as a variable. In the
example the independent variable has affect on the other variable.
Dependent variable –
Is the factor which the researcher observes and measures to determine how it was affected by the
independent variable.
It is therefore the factor which appears, disappears, or varies as the researcher introduces, removes, or varies
the levels of the independent variable.
The dependent variable changes as a result of variations in the independent variable and it is considered to be
dependent because its value is assumed to depend upon the values of the levels of the independent variable.
EXAMPLE
Fire (IV) causes smoke (DV) – the more a fire rages on a piece of land, the more smoke will occur. It can be
illustrate as follows:
In an organisation setting, we might want to measure if the driving skills (DV) of drivers improve after they attend
a driving course (IV)
A manager that good supervision and training will increase the production level (output) of the workers.
EXAMPLE
Independent variable (IV) – Management style of supervisors (two levels)
iron-fisted style
approachable style
Dependent variable (DV) – Management style of trainee supervisors
, WILL THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVE A DESCRIPTIVE, PREDICTIVE OR EXPLANATORY STUDY?
Give brief reasons for your answer. (3 marks)
First have a look at the hypothesis
DESCRIPTIVE STUDY
To explain phenomena such as human behaviour.
To predict human behaviour
WHEN, WHERE, BY WHOM, HOW OFTEN is it committed.
NON-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS
Not trying to establish WHY there may be a difference – only testing a theory
Always testing a theory
1 V defined in terms of another V
Cannot describe the CAUSE of the situation
Describes Data & characteristics of population
STUDYING A RELATIONSHIP BUT WITHOUT ANY INTERVENTION
EXAMPLE:
Research on crime is descriptive when it defines the kind of crime by stating WHEN, WHERE, BY WHOM and
HOW OFTEN it is committed
EXPLANATORY STUDY
WHY, HOW something happened.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN
CAUSE AND EFFECT relationship
Non-directional Hypothesis: Do not predict direction
EXAMPLE. There is a relationship between job satisfaction and salary level
PREDICTIVE STUDY: (likelihood of something happening)
Scientists regularly use prediction in research as a fundamental of the scientific method, when they generate a
hypothesis and predict what will happen.
To predict whether (training on management goal) will improve (job performance).
Measurement of unit of analysis in respect of one or more variables at one point in time.
These units of analysis are then measured later in terms of another variable.
The independent variables are biographical, psychological and other variables that apply to the unit of analysis at
the initial point in time.
A predictive study has a time dimension.
WILL BE (wording will appear in hypothesis)
Researcher HOPES/WISHES to have changes after the intervention
It will state something like ... WILL BE successful....
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN
Researcher starts with/leading to finding WHAT WILL happen, given some baseline already is known
Previous studies confident about difference in relationships.
Directional Hypothesis
EXAMPLE: Individuals in manufacturing company in Gauteng WILL BE successful
, FORMULATE THE RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
(3 marks)
A hypothesis is a tentative assumption or preliminary statement about the relationship between two or more
things that needs to be examined.
In other words, a hypothesis is a tentative solution or explanation of a research problem and the task of
research are to investigate it.
A research question differs from a hypothesis in that the research question is always expressed as a
question, while the hypothesis is expressed as a statement.
o Question format is appropriate for descriptive and inductive research.
o Hypothesis is appropriate for explanatory or deductive research.
Non-directional hypothesis:
1) There is a difference between the organisational commitment of male employees and female
employees.
2) There is a relationship between job satisfaction and salary level.
Directional hypothesis:
1) Female employees have a higher level of organisational commitment than male employees.
2) There is a positive relationship between job satisfaction and salary level.
Null hypothesis:
1) There is a no difference between the organisational commitment of male employees and female
employees.
2) There is no relationship between job satisfaction and salary level.
A research problem
To answer/solve a research problem, the researcher must be able to answer the following questions:
1. What is the problem?
2. What is the best way to solve the problem?
FORMULATE THE RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Where possible, we should translate the research problem into a research hypothesis that states:
1. a relationship
2. between two or more variables
3. in one (or more) population(s) (see chapter 4)
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