Unit – II

OBJECTIVES,VARIABLES
HYPOTHESIS, ASSUMPTIONS &
LIMITATIONS

Mrs. S. Andal, M.Sc(N).,

Professor cum Research Co-ordinator
Faculty of Nursing
• RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

A Research Objective is a clear

concise declarative statement which
provides direction to investigate the
variables.
The objective of the research project
summarize what is to be achieved by the
study. Objectives must be clearly related to
the statement of the problem
 Characteristics

A well worded objective will be SMART

S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Attainable
R – Relevant
T – Time-Bounded.
 Cont…

Research objective should be FORMUL

F – Feasible
O – Observable
R – Relevant
M – Measurable
U – Unequivocal
L– Logical.
 Cont…
It is a purpose that can be reasonably
achieved with the time frame & with available
resources.
The objective of project summarizes what
is to be achieved in study.
They are accomplishments the researcher
hopes to achieve by the study.
They include obtaining answers to
research questions or testing hypothesis
 Need for Research Objective

The formulation of research objectives will

help the researcher
Focus
Avoid
Organize
Directions
 Types
•General Objectives - are broad goals to be
achieved and usually less in number. It states what
the researcher expects to achieve by the study in
general terms.
•Specific Objectives - are for short term and
narrow in focus. General objectives can be broken
into small logically connected parts to form
specific objectives. They should specify what the
researcher will do in the study, where, and for what
purpose.
Method of stating objectives
While stating the objectives of the study, the
following guidelines must be taken care of:
The objectives should be presented briefly and
concisely.
They cover the different aspects of the problem
and their contributing factors in a coherent way
and in a logical sequence.
They are clearly phrased in operational terms,
specifying exactly what researcher is going to do,
where, and for what purpose.
They are realistic considering local conditions.
• VARIABLES
 Introduction
Variables are concepts at different level of
abstraction that are concisely defined to promote
their measurement or manipulation within study.
 TYPES

Independent Variable
It is a stimulus or activity that is
manipulated or varied by the researcher to
create the effect on the dependent variable.
Dependent Variable
It is the outcome or response due to the
effect of the independent variable which
researcher wants to predict or explain.
 Cont…

Research Variable
The variables are observed or measured in
natural settings as they exist without
manipulating or imposing the effect of
intervention or treatment.
 Cont…
Demographic Variables
In most studies, researcher makes the
attempt to study the sample characteristics and
present them in research findings. The
characteristics and attributes of the study
subjects are considered as demographic
variables.
 Cont…
Extraneous Variables
They are the factors which are not the part
of the study but may affect the measurement of
the study variables.
• HYPOTHESIS
 HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis is a tentative prediction or
explanation of the relationship between two
variables.
Hypothesis reflects the research workers
guess as to the probable outcomes of their
experiment.
 Definition
A hypothesis is an assumption statement
about the relationship between two or more
variables that suggest an answer to the research
question
 Importance

• Powerful tool for advancement of

knowledge.
• Provides objectivity to the research activity.
• Provides direction to conduct research.
• Provides clear and specific goals to the
researcher.
• It provides link between theory and
practical research
 Cont…

• Tentative statement of anticipated results

• Stimulates thinking process of researcher
• It determines most appropriate research
design
• It serves as a framework for drawing
conclusions
 Characteristics

• Conceptual Clarity
• Empirical Reference
• Objectivity
• Specificity
• Relevant
• Testability
 Cont…

• Consistency
• Simplicity
• Availability
• Purposiveness
• Verifiability
• Profundity of effect
• Economical
 Sources of Hypothesis
• Theoretical or conceptual frame work.
• Previous research finding
• Real life experiences
• Academic literature
 Types of Hypothesis

HYPOTHESIS

GENERAL STATISTICAL
HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS

SIMPLE COMPLEX RESEARCH NULL

HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS

DIRECTIONAL NON-DIRECTIONAL
HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS
 Types of Hypothesis

• Simple Hypothesis:
It is a statement which reflects
relationship between two variables.
• Complex Hypothesis:
It is a statement which reflects
relationship between more than two variables.
 Cont…

• Associative Hypothesis:
It reflects relationship between variables
that occur or exists in natural settings without
manipulation.
 Cont…
• Casual Hypothesis:
It predicts the cause and effect relationship
between two or more dependent and independent
variables in experimental or interventional
settings, where independent variable is
manipulated by researcher to examine the effect
on the dependent variable.
 Cont…

• Directional Hypothesis:
It states the nature of the relationship
between two or more variables such as
Positive, Negative or No relationship.
 Cont…
• Non Directional Hypothesis:
It reflects the relationship between two or
more variables, but it does not specify the
anticipated direction and nature of relationship
such as positive or negative.
 Cont…
• Null Hypothesis:
also known as Statistical Hypothesis (Ho).
It is used for statistical testing and interpretation
of statistical outcomes. It states the existence of
no relationship between the independent and
dependent variables.
 Cont…
• Research Hypothesis:
It states the relationship between two or
more variables
 CRITERIA

• Written in a declarative sentence.

• Written in the present tense.
• Reflect the problem statement or
purpose statement.
• Be empirically tested.
• Contains variables.
• Contains the population.
• ASSUMPTIONS
 ASSUMPTIONS

Definition:
They are the statements that are taken for
granted or are considered true even though they
have not been scientifically tested.
Example : Prevalence of coronary artery disease
is more common among urban people as
compared to rural people.
 USES OF ASSUMPTION

• Research is built upon assumptions since

a foundation is needed to move forward.
• They may be good source of research
questions.
• It provides basis to conduct of research
study.
• It expands the professional body of
knowledge
 CHARACTERISTICS

• They are universally accepted.

• They are theories applicable to a particular
field of study.
• They refer to the finding of previous
related researchers.
 Types

• Universal Assumptions
• Assumptions based on Theories
• Assumptions need to conduct Research
• Warranted Assumptions
• Unwarranted Assumptions
 UNIVERSAL ASSUMPTION :
•Assumed to be true by a large part of the society, but
testing such assumptions is not always possible.
•Example : There is a supernatural power which
governs this universe.

THEORY BASED ASSUMPTION

•Research project can be based on nursing theories.
•Example : A study based on Pender’s health promotion
model will use theory based assumption.
•Individual characteristics &experiences.
•Behavior specific cognition & effects.
•Behavior outcomes.
 CONDUCT A RESEARCH

•Some assumptions may be developed to

conduct a particular study.
•Example : “Childhood obesity is more
private schools as compared to
Government schools”.
 WARRANTED ASSUMPTION
•Research findings or observations are stated along
with assumption.
•Example : “Regular physical activity reduce
BMI”.

UNWARRANTED ASSUMPTION
•These are presented without any support of
research findings.
•Example : “Mental diseases are cured by
holistic healing”.
LIMITATIONS
 THEORITICAL LIMITATION

•They restrict the ability of research findings

by generalize specific theoretical concepts in
study.
•Also limits the study of variables through
operational definitions.
 METHODOLOGICAL
LIMITATION

Unrepresentative sample
Weak design
Single sitting
Limited control over extraneous variables
Poor implementation of treatment protocol
 Research tool with limited reliability &
validity
Poor data collection procedure
Ineffective use of statistical analysis
 DIFFERENCE
ASSUMPTIONS HYPOTHESIS LIMITATIONS
Assumptions are Hypothesis is a Limitations are restricted.
basically belief and predictions.
ideas that hold to be
true.
Assumptions are not Hypothesis are Limitations cannot be tested
statistically tested statistically tested in statistically in research.
in research. research.

Beliefs about the Predictions about the Limitations points out strength
variables relationship of two or and weakness of the research.
more variables

Based on the belief , Predicts relation The limitation influence the

the researcher between variables interpretation of the finding and
attempts to discover and statistically thus reduces the credibility of
the correlation. tested to conclude the research findings
study.