PROBLEM STATEMENT, OBJECTIVES & HYPOTHESIS

Rupinder Deol Lecturer College of Nursing DMC & H

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
Research essentially is a problem solving process, a systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observation that may lead to the development of generalization ,principles, theories , resulting in prediction and possible ultimate control of events.--French M Ruth. Research is a careful enquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles, a diligent investigation to ascertain something.---Clifford Woody Research is a process that systematically searches for new facts and relationship.-----Notter

RESEARCH PROBLEM

Most challenging and difficult phase of any research project.

..It is believed that selection of a good research problem is discovery in itself!!!!!!!!!

Research problem is a question which researcher wants to answer or a problem a researcher wants to solve.

MEANING
A research problem is an enigmatic, troubling area or topic which needs an enquiry to get better understanding or ultimate solution.

For example, solution of female foeticide in India could be an enigmatic or troubling topic of the present time and that could become one of the important research problem at present;..... there could be many more such problems.

Contd.
According to Kerlinger, A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that ask what relation exists between two or more variables. The answer to questions will provide what is having sought in the research.

R.S. Woodworth defines problem as A situation for which we have no ready and successful response by instinct or by previous acquired habit. We must find out what to do the solution can be found out only after an investigation.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

At the most general level a researcher selects a topic or phenomenon on which to focus. EXAMPLE OF RESEARCH TOPIC: Patient compliance Coping with disability Pain management Chemotherapy Within each of these broad topics are many potential research problems.

A research problem is an enigmatic, perplexing, or troubling condition. A problem statement articulates the problem to be addressed & indicates the need for a study. Research questions are specific queries researchers want to answer in addressing the research problem. They guide the type of data to be collected in a study. Statement of purpose/ purpose statement is the researchers summary of the overall goal of a study. Hypotheses: specific predictions regarding answers to the research questions that are tested empirically. Research Aims/ Objectives: The specific accomplishments the researcher hopes to achieve by conducting the study.

IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

First and most important step in research process. A broad area is selected and then broad topic is delimited or narrowed down to a specific one-sentence statement of the problem. This step is considered as most difficult and challenging and needs lots of time. Research problem may come from several sources; depends on the interest of the researcher. So the ideas a researcher collects to identify a research problem are influenced by variety of sources.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

Research interests

Experience & clinical fieldwork

Nursing literature

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

Social issues

Theory

Ideas from external sources

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A GOOD RESEARCH PROBLEM

Many factors should be considered while deciding whether a particular topic is appropriate for a scientific investigation or not. Significance to nursing profession Original Solvable/Researchable Current Interesting Feasible

SIGNIFICANCE TO NURSING PROFESSION

A research problem is significant for nursing profession, when it is directed to develop or refines the body of professional knowledge. Following criteria is to be fulfilled Nursing profession and patients, nurses and healthcare fraternity will be benefited from the study. The results will improve clinical nursing practices. Promotes nursing theory development or testing. Provides solutions of current nursing practice needs. Generate information to have the practical implications.

ORIGINAL
It is fundamentally considered that every research problem should be new and unique in itself.

Therefore, it is the key responsibility of a researcher that

an innovative knowledge is used for selecting a research problem, so as to extend the growth of existing body of the knowledge.

SOLVABLE/ RESEARCHABLE
Problem selected is considered good only if it is solvable so that chances of insolvability of problem should be

minimized. Thus, it will enhance relevant results.

For example, a researcher selects a research problem to know the existence of God in this universe. These sorts of problems are ambiguous and impossible to solve.

CURRENT A good research problem must be based on the current problems and needs of a profession, so that results generated will be of more use. INTERESTING A research problem can only be considered good if it is in accordance with researchers field of interest. A research problem must be as per motivation of the researcher and it should be fascinating to the researcher.

FEASIBLE
Regardless of how significant or researchable a problem may be, feasibility of research problem in reference to time, availability of subjects, facilities, equipment and money; and ethical considerations should be checked. It will help researcher to decide whether study can be actually carried out or not. Time: A nurse might be interested in studying sibling relationships among quintuplets. Knowledge of the incidence of quintuplet births would certainly discourage anyone considering research on this particular population unless the researcher planned to make this a lifetime project. So, time is always a factor to be considered.

 Cost: All research projects cost money; some studies are much more expensive than others. Equipment and supplies: All research projects require some type of resources. Therefore, before making the final decision to conduct a study, an accurate determination of the needed equipment and supplies should be ensured. Some questions that should be answered before beginning a research project are: What equipment will be needed? Is this equipment available and in proper working order? Is there a qualified operator of the equipment? Are the necessary supplies available or can they be obtained?

 Administrative support: Many research projects require administrative support. Financial as well as psychological support from administration is very helpful. Knowing that your superiors support your research efforts can be a very powerful motivating force. Peer support: Many research ideas have never been developed because potential researchers received no support from their peers. One of the best ways to determine a researchable problem is through interactions and discussions with other nurses. Availability of subjects: A researcher may believe that study subjects are readily available for the study. Potential subjects may not meet the study criteria, may be unwilling to participate, or may already be participating in other studies. Therefore, availability of subjects must be ensured well in advance.

 Researchers competence: A research problem can only be feasible if it is in accordance with researchers competence, where researcher is capable to handle a

given research problem.

Ethical considerations: A researcher must ensure that the research problem can be considered by the ethical committee without undue hurdles. A very important topic of research can not be considered

feasible until and unless it is in accordance with

ethical guidelines.

FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Formulation of research problem is a complex and long process, which includes following steps;

Selection of research topic

Reviewing the literature and theories

Delimiting the research topic Evaluating the research problem
Formulating final statement

 Example of a good formatted research problem: A descriptive study on prevalence of pin site infection among patients with external skeletal fixation admitted in orthopedic wards of Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh This is the example of declarative from of the statement of problem, where it is precisely and concisely stated and includes most of the required components of a research statement, where; Research study type: descriptive Variable(s): it has only research variable as prevalence of pin site infection Population: patients with external skeletal fixation Research setting: orthopedic wards of Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh

STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM Problem can be stated in two ways: a) Declarative form: means making declarative statement (more common). e.g., An evaluatory study to assess the effect of self structured teaching program on the knowledge of catheter care among staff nurses of DMCH Ludhiana. b) Interrogative form : Means posing question on research problem. It has advantage in sharpening & focusing the issue. E.g., What will be the effect of self structured teaching program on the knowledge of catheter care among staff nurses of DMCH Ludhiana?

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATION OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Substantive issues 1. Does the problem have significance to the nursing profession? 2. Does the problem spells out purpose of conducting study? 3. Does the problem have any relationship with existing theories and models? 4. Does the problem flow from prior scientific information and/or experience in topic area? Methodological issues 1. Does the problem statement clearly identify the research variables in measurable terms? 2. Does the problem identify the nature of population which is to be studied? 3. Does the problem clearly define about type or design of study? 4. Does the problem describe about research setting, place, & time? 5. Does the problem comprise appropriate phrases? Stylistic issues 1. Is problem statement complete, concise & clear in a declarative form and clearly suggesting answers to be questioned? 2. Was the problem statement introduced promptly? Ethical issues 1. Does the research problem require the use of human subject? 2. Does the problem imply potential risks for those subjects? Practical issues 1. Has the researcher appropriately delimited the scope of the problem, or is the problem too big or complex for a single investigation? 2. Does the researcher is able to manage the resources, man, money, material & appropriate permissions from authorities?

EXAMPLE OF THE STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS AND VARIABLES IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH STUDIES
Type of study
Descriptive

Exmaple of the research problem statement

Variables

A descriptive study on prevalence of anemia among Research variable: Prevalence of adolescent girls in selected villages of district , Karnataka anemia

Exploratory

An exploratory study on contributing factors of anemia Research variable: Contributing among adolescent girls in selected villages of district , factors of anemia Karnataka
A correlational study on smoking and lung cancer among Independent variable: Smoking slum dwellers of city Mumbai Dependent variable: Lung cancer

Correlational

Compartive

A comparative study on health problems among rural and Research variable: Health urban older people of district , problems

Experimental

An experimental study on efficacy of oral morphine in Independent variable: Oral management of chronic cancer pain among advanced stage morphine cancer patients admitted in hospice at Chandigarh Dependent variable: Chronic cancer pain
A quasi-experimental study of effect of needle gauge on pain perception among patients receiving Intramuscular injection in Out Patient Department of CMCH, Vellore, Tamil Nadu Independent variable: Needle gauge Dependent variable: pain perception during IM injection

Quasiexperimental

EXAMPLE OF THE STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS AND VARIABLES IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH STUDIES
Type of study
Phenomenological

Exmaple of the research problem statement

Variables

A phenomenological study on live experiences of Tsunami Research variable: Live victims in selected villages of state Tamil Nadu experiences An ethnographic study on the features, critical attributes, Research variable: Features, processes and benefits of self-help groups of women living with chronic alcoholic husbands in selected villages of critical attributes, processes and district Belgam, Karnataka benefits of self-help groups
A study on the response and adaptation process of patients Research variable: Response and diagnosed with cancer in Nehru hospital, PGIMER, adaptation process A case study on availability and utilization of emergency Research variable: Availability services in public hospital at Ludhiana, Punjab and utilization of emergency services

Ethnographical

Grounded theory

Case study

Historical study

A historic study on experiences of ward facilities among Research variable: Experiences of psychiatric nurses during 1960 and 1970 in National Institute ward facilities of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore A study on practicability of integrating the nursing service Research variable: Practicability and education in selected premier nursing institution of of integrating the nursing service DMC & H, Ludhiana. and education

Action research

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

MEANING
A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides direction to investigate the variables. Generally research objectives focus on how to measure the variables such as to identify or describe them. Sometime objectives are directed to identify the relationship or differences between two variables. Research objectives are the results sought by the researcher at the end of the research process i.e. what the researcher will be able to achieve at the end of the research study. The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study. Objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem.

WRITING RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

To get right solution of a right problem, clearly defined objectives are very important. Without objectives researcher will be lost somewhere in the way or may find out some other results which are not the need of the time. Therefore, clearly defined objectives are important feature of a good research study without which the researcher is aimlessly looking for something resulting in wastage of resources. Once the need for research information has been clearly defined, the researcher must specify the objectives of proposed research and develop a specific list of information needed. Objectives formulated in quantitative and qualitative studies are quite similar, however, objectives formulated in qualitative studies are broad and includes variables which are more complex and abstract in nature.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Research objective is a concrete statement describing what the research is trying to achieve. A well worded objective will be SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time bound. Research objective should be Relevant, Feasible, Logical, Observable, Unequivocal and Measurable. Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected timeframe and with the available resources. The objective of research project summaries what is to be achieved by the study.

NEED OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The formulation of research objectives will help the researcher to: Focus: If the researcher knows what he has to achieve ultimately, he will be only looking for the ways to achieve it. The formulation of research objectives helps in narrowing down the study to its essentials, which are the crying need of the hour. Avoiding unnecessary steps: The formulation of research objectives helps to avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving problem that the researcher has defined. For example, if a research is only interested in identifying the presence and absence of variables but not in detailed description of related factors, the research objective will help the researcher to avoid collection of unwanted information.

 Organize: The formulation of objectives organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases. For example, if researcher is conducting a research study on effects of the ginger on morning sickness among pregnant women, the objectives are formulated as a) To assess the prevalence of morning sickness among pregnant women; b) To identify the effect of ginger on morning sickness symptoms among pregnant women.
Directions: Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of research methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of data.

TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The research objectives are of two types: General objectives: General objectives are broad end goals to be achieved.

The general objective of the study states what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in general terms. General objectives are usually less in number.

Specific objectives: Specific objectives are short term and narrow in focus. General objectives can be broken into small logically connected parts to form specific objectives. General objective is met through accomplishing each of the specific objectives. The specific objectives are more in number and they systematically address various aspect of problem as defined under statement of problem and the key factor that are assumed to influence or cause the problem. They should specify what the researcher will do in the study, where and for what purpose.

A Quasi-experimental study on the effects of ginger on morning sickness among pregnant women in selected cities of state Kerala. General objective: General objective of this study will be: To assess the effects of ginger on morning sickness among pregnant women. Specific objectives: This general objective will be splited up into following specific objectives: To determine the prevalence of morning sickness in the pregnant women. To compare the severity of morning sickness in primigravida and multigravida. To compare the effects of ginger on morning sickness in multigravida and primigravida. To identify the relationship of effectiveness of ginger on morning sickness with age and dietary habits of the pregnant women. To compare the effectiveness of ginger on morning sickness in working and non-working pregnant women.

METHOD OF STATING OBJECTIVES The objectives should be presented briefly and concisely. Cover the different aspects of the problem and its contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence. Are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what researcher is going to do, where, and for what purpose. Are realistic considering local conditions and Use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated. Examples of action verbs are: to assess, to identify, to find out, to determine, to compare, to find, to verify, to calculate, to describe, to analyze and to establish etc.

A LIST OF ACTION VERBS USED TO FORMULATE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Knowledge
Count Define Describe Draw Identify Labels List Match Name Outlines Point out

Comprehension Application Analysis

Associate Compute Convert Defend Discuss Distinguish Estimate Explain Extend Extrapolate Generalize Give examples Infer Paraphrase Predict Rewrite Summarize Add Apply Calculate Change Classify Complete Compute Demonstrate Discover Divide Examine Graph Interpolate Manipulate Modify Operate Prepare Produce Show Solve Subtract Translate Use Analyze Arrange Breakdown Combine Design Detect Develop Diagram Differentiate Discriminate Illustrate Infer Outline Relate Select Separate Subdivide Utilize

Synthesis
Categorize Combine Compile Compose Create Drive Design Devise Explain Generate Integrate Modify Order Organize Plan Prescribe Propose Rearrange Reconstruct Reorganize Revise Summarize Specify

Evaluation
Appraise Assess Compare Conclude Contrast Criticize Critique Determine Grade Interpret Judge Justify Measure Rank Rate Support Test

Write

HYPOTHESES

HYPOTHESES

Introduction :
Hypotheses is the most important mental tool research has. A hypotheses is an assumption statement about the relationship between two or more variables that suggests an answer to the research question. It is a tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two variables . It implies that there is a systematic relationship between an independent and dependent variable.

Contd.
Hypotheses converts the question posed by the research problem into a declarative statement that predicts an expected outcome. E.g., smoking causes lung cancer. The formulation of hypotheses plays an important part in the growth of knowledge in every science. E.g., dietary compliance will be greater in diabetic patients receiving diet instruction in small group than in diabetic patients receiving individualized diet instructions.

DEFINITION OF HYPOTHESES

Lundberg defines hypothesis as a tentative generalization, the validity of which remains to be tested.

Goode and Hatt define it as, a proposition which can be put to a test to determine its validity.

Purpose Of Hypothesis
It provides bridge between the theory and reality.

It provides a powerful tool, for the advancement of knowledge.

It provides direction for any research. It guides to the thinking process and the process of discovery. It serves as a framework for drawing conclusion.

ROLE OF HYPOTHESIS IN NURSING RESEARCH

A hypothesis specifies the source of data. It defines which data is relevant which are not. A hypotheses suggest which type of research is likely to be most appropriate. It determines the most technique of analysis. appropriate

It links theory and investigation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HYPOTHESES

Conceptual Clarity: Hypotheses should consist of clearly defined and understandable concept. Specificity: A hypothesis should be specific and explain the expected relations between variables. ( e.g., regular yoga reduces stress). Testability: Hypotheses should be testable and should not be a moral judgment. e.g., statement like bad partners produce bad children , cannot be tested. Availability of techniques: The researcher must make sure that methods are available for testing his proposed hypotheses.

Consistency:

Contd.

A hypotheses should be consistent with an existing body of theory and research findings.

Simplicity:
A hypotheses should be simple one requiring fewer conditions and assumptions.

SOURCES OF HYPOTHESES

Literature:

This is one of the main source of hypotheses. It gives direction to research by stating what is already known. It can be derived from observation of daily experience.

Observation:

Contd.
Intuition and personal experience:
Personal life experience of persons determine their perception and conception. These may ,in turn, direct a person to certain hypotheses more quickly. e.g., the story of Newton and the falling apple illustrates this individual accidental process.

 Findings of studies: Hypotheses may be developed out of the findings of other studies in order to replicate and test. Scientific theory: the various scientific laws or theories which are transferable to the field of nursing research e.g., Maslows theory of hierarchy. Culture: Another source of hypotheses is the culture on which the researcher was nurtured. A large part of the hypotheses on American society examined by the researchers were connected with violence. Continuity of research: The rejection of some hypotheses leads to the formation of new ones.

CLASSIFICATION OF HYPOTHESES

Research hypotheses :
It indicates what the outcome of the study is expected to be. It is also known as scientific or workable hypotheses. It can be Directional or Non-directional hypotheses .

 Directional hypotheses: is one that specifies the expected direction of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It is also called relational hypotheses e.g., there will be a positive relationship between years of nursing experience and attitude towards patient with HIV disease. Non-directional hypotheses: indicates the existence of relationship between variables. It does not specify the anticipated direction of the relationship. e.g, there will be a relationship between years of nursing experience and attitude towards patient with HIV disease.

Statistical hypotheses: is also known as null

hypotheses that states there is no relationship between dependent and independent variables. If in the data analysis a statistically significant relationship emerges between the variables at a specified

level of significance , the null hypotheses is rejected and

research hypotheses is accepted. e.g., there is no relationship between sedentary life style and incidence of hypertension.

TYPES OF HYPOTHESES ACCORDING TO THEIR FUNCTIONS

Descriptive hypotheses: These are proposition that describe the characteristics of variables. Variable can be an object, person, organization, situation, or event. e.g., patient who attend pre-operative education classes have less post-operative emotional stress than those patient who do not. B. Relational hypotheses: These are the proposition, which describe the positive or negative correlation between two variables. e.g., Families with higher incomes spend more on recreation.
A.

Causal hypotheses: It states the existence of, or a change in, one variable causes or leads to an effect on another variable. The first variable is called independent variable, and the later the dependent variable. E.g., smoking (independent) causes lung cancer (dependent).
C.

ADVANTAGES OF HYPOTHESES

It gives direction to the study. Hypotheses builds researchers confidence in his results. A good hypotheses enriches the theory.

DISADVANTAGES

It may bias the investigator towards a particular position and cause him lose his objectivity.

THANK YOU!!

FURTHER READING
Polit and Hungler.. Essentials of Nursing Research: methods, Appraisal and utilization, Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company., 1989: 102. Fitzpatrick ML. Historical research: the method. In P.L. Munhall (Ed.). Nursing Research: A qualitative perspective. 3rd ed. Boston: Johen and Bartlett, 2001: 403-415. Germain CP. Ethnography: The method. In P.L. Munhall (Ed.). Nursing Research: A qualitative perspective. 3rd ed. Boston: Johen and Bartlett, 2001:277-306. Kahn CR. Picking a research problem: the critical decision. The New England Journal of Medicine, 1994;330(21):1530-1533. Kerlinger FN, Lee HB. Foundation of behavioral research. 4th ed. Atworth TX: Harcourt College, 2000.

Contd.
Munhall PL. Nursing Research: A qualitative perspective. 3rd. Boston: Johen and Bartlett, 2001. Melney BM, Fineout-Overholt E. Evidence-based practices in nursing and healthcare: A guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005. Vrrkevisser CM, Pathmanathan I, Ann B. Designing and conducting health systems research projects 1ST ed. Proposal development and fieldwork, 2003. Reviewed on 21 February 2010, from http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-56599-201-1DO_TOPIC.html. Neeraja KP. Textbook of nursing education.1st Ed. New Delhi: Jaypee brothers medical publishers,2007 :158-160. No author. Student learning objectives (SLO) action verb list suggested verbs to use in each level of thinking skills. . Reviewed on 21 February 2010, from http://www.emnu.edu/academics/assessment/faculty/mannual/verb_list.shtml. No author. Research ideas, critiquing research and hypothesis. Reviewed on 21 February 2010, from www.carlrenold.com/files/Chapter_2.pptx