STARTING
RESEARCH
101
GTU 304 sem 2, 2020/21
Lesson Goals
• Identify research topic
• Formulate research questions,
objectives, hypotheses
• Link various factors related to
research structure
How to get started to Start chatting
identify the research
topic?
So many issues to tackle...
So many things I am passionate about...
How to chose?
Practicality, Passion, Personal
Practical - time, money, ability
Passion - interest, knowledge, skill
Personal - relatedness, vision, goal
Do that thing
you love.
When the going gets tough, your passion
will inspire you to carry on.
Research about field
Read, search and ask the right people
• What's already out there?
• What's missing?
• How to make it better?
• What can you add?
You try... Group discussion in class
• Find your research area
• Craft a title
• Write your problem
statement
Research title
Explains what you want to do, on whom and where
• What: Find effects, know the rates, how’s
• Whom: Vegetarians, children, office workers
• Where: In the metal industry, Malaysia, USM Health Campus
• How: Equipment used, study design
Problem statement
Tells the reader in a single paragraph
• What’s happening
• Evidence of the problem
• What you are proposing for research
• How will your research help
Writing a Problem Statement – presented in a single paragraph
Step 1
• Introduction sentences – explain the background
Step 2
• Highlight the issues based on previous literature– what is not right, what is
lacking. Provide key reference(s)
Step 3
• Explain your proposed research – what you want to do and how
Step 4
• Emphasize on possible solutions from your proposed research
Example of a problem statement.
Teaching research methods is a complex task as it involves abstract concepts yet has
structure that needs to be followed and completed. Rohani and colleagues (2021)
reported that through student engagement and interaction, the teaching and learning of
research methods significantly enhances understanding and application by 65% and 80%,
respectively. Therefore, we would like to study the effects of paying students to be
engaged and to interact during online courses will enhance their understanding and
application of research methods. The final outcome will be their comprehensive research
proposal. By increasing understanding and application of research methods, we will
obtain more As in students doing their final year research projects.
Research Questions
• Can monetary incentives result in students being more engaged & interactive?
• Is the amount of money related to the level of engagement & interactivity?
• Does students who received monetary incentives learn more and apply more of
research methods in their research proposals?
Research Objective
Objectives are written with...
a) an adjective like "identify", "compare", "associate"
b) has an independent variable - the part that changes, manipulated by researcher
c) has a dependent variable - the outcome or effect to be assessed
Research Objective
General objective - overall goal of the study
General objective: To investigate the effects of monetary incentives on research methods
understanding and application though more engagement and interaction in USM health
science students.
Research Objective
Specific objective - breakdown of general objective into smaller, measurable goals
Specific objectives
• To determine the relation of monetary value to engagement and interactive level of USM
health science students
• To assess if monetary incentives resulted in better quality research proposals in USM
health science students
Create
hypotheses.
Hypotheses are statements to guide proving/ disproving research objectives
• Basis in statistical tests
• Consist of testable statements
• Paired as null and alternative hypotheses
Example of general
& specific objectives
General: To identify genes
Specific:
1. To identify base units
of genes
2. To determine the
structure of genes
3. To identify non-genes
Hypothesis (plural – ses)
Guided by specific
research objectives
Develop ways (aka
research methods) to
find the answers to
reject or accept the null
hypothesis
Research Hypothesis (-ses)
Hypothesis – a statement that we need to prove or disprove through research. Guided by the
specific objectives
Think of hypothesis as a sentence that you would accept in total or reject in total
• Null hypothesis (Ho): A statement presenting no significant change/effect/meaning from the
research findings
• Alternative hypothesis (Ha): A statement when we reject Ho, and will accept what Ha
instead
• Ho: A damaged ear cannot hear properly
• Ha: A damaged ear can hear properly
What should the research do to test Ho?
• Ho: Listening is not related to intelligence
• Ha: Listening is related to intelligence
What should the research do to test Ho?
Research hypotheses
• Medicine A did not improve skin, eyes and lungs in
patients
• Lab A and Lab B both have poor quality control
• Red, blue and green colours causes drowsiness and
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
anger
• Chocolate makes people feel good
• Too much bubble tea will cause constipation
• A smile means you understand
You try... Group discussion in class
• Research questions
• Research objectives
• Research hypotheses
Remember to
talk to others,
interact, learn
and apply
You can do it!!
THANK YOU!
