Introduction…to Research

Methodologies
…
Ing. Jonathan Avilés, M.Sc.
Ing. Dennys Paillacho, M.Sc.
Ing. Marjorie Chalén, Msig.
2018 Term II
 Recap
Scientific Research Methodology
REPRESENTATION (I)
Based on 10 steps (Hernández, Fernández, and Baptista 2003):

Step 1 Step 2
Conceive the idea to investigate Set the research problem

New
Ideas Step 4 Step 3
Define the type of research Elaborate the theoretical framework
Introduction: Basic Concepts

Step 5 Step 6
Set the hypotheses and Select the most appropriate
detect the variables research design
New
Knowledge Step 8 Step 7
Collect the data Select the sample

Step 9 Step 10
Analyze the data Present the results

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 Recap
What are the hypotheses?
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

• They are the guides for the research or study.

• They indicate what we try to prove and are defined as
tentative explanations of the phenomenon investigated.
• They are formulated as propositions (they are
provisional answers to research questions).
• In an investigation, we can have one, two or several
hypotheses.

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 Recap
Should hypotheses be raised in all research?
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

NO…

All depends on the scope / type of research

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 Recap
Scope / Types of research

Scope of the Study Hypothesis Formulation

Exploratory No hypotheses are

formulated
Descriptive They are only formulated
when a fact or data is
forecast

Correlational Correlation hypotheses are

Types of research

formulated
Explanatory Causal hypotheses are
formulated

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 Recap
Are hypotheses always true?
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

• Not necessarily, they may or may not be and may or may

not be checked with data.
• Remember: hypotheses are tentative explanations, not the
facts by themselves.
• When formulating, the researcher is not completely sure if
they will be checked.
• A hypothesis is different to the affirmation of a fact.

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 Recap
Where do the hypotheses come from?
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

Initial Familiarization
literatures with the
review problem

Problem
Statement

HYPOTHE
Hypotheses
SIS
Extensive
literature
review

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 Recap
Where do the hypotheses come from?
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

• Experience and constant observation offer potential material

for the establishment of important hypotheses.
• A hypothesis may arise from the findings of other studies.
• The less prior empirical support a hypothesis has, the more
attention it will require to prepare it.
• ERROR: To formulate research hypotheses without having
carefully reviewed the literature!

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 Recap
Types of Hypotheses
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

1. Research hypothesis
2. Null hypothesis
3. Alternative hypothesis
4. Statistical hypothesis

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 Recap
Types of Hypotheses
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

1. Research hypothesis
2. Null hypothesis
3. Alternative hypothesis
4. Statistical hypothesis

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 Recap
Research hypothesis

• It is a tentative proposition about the possible relationships

between two or more variables.

• A research hypothesis is usually symbolized as Hi or H1, H2,

H3, etc.
Research Hypothesis

• It is also called working hypothesis

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 Types of Hypotheses
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

1. Research hypothesis
2. Null hypothesis
3. Alternative hypothesis
4. Statistical hypothesis

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 What is a null hypothesis?

• A null hypothesis is a hypothesis that expresses no relationship

between variables.

• It is the opposite to research hypothesis.

• If a research hypothesis states:

• “The starting torque of the motor depends on the applied

starting voltage”

• Its correspondent null hypothesis will state:

• “The starting torque of the motor does NOT depend on the

Hipótesis Nulas

applied starting voltage”

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 What is a null hypothesis?
• There are as many types of null hypotheses as types of research
hypotheses:

• Descriptive null hypothesis of a value or forecast data.

• Null hypothesis that denies or contradicts the relationship

between two or more variables.

• Null hypothesis that denies or contradicts the causal

relationship between two or more variables.

• The null hypothesis is usually symbolized as: HO

Hipótesis Nulas

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 What is a null hypothesis?

Examples
Ho: “The increase in the number of divorces on couples whose ages
range between 18 and 25 years will NOT exceed 20% next year”

Ho: “There is NO relationship between the engine temperature and

the starting voltage”

Ho: “Experience in a job does NOT imply a reduction in work

accidents”

Ho: “There is NO relationship between self-esteem and fear of

Hipótesis Nulas

success”

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 Types of Hypotheses
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

1. Research hypothesis
2. Null hypothesis
3. Alternative hypothesis
4. Statistical hypothesis

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 What is an alternative hypothesis?

• If the working hypothesis is proved wrong or rejected,

another hypothesis is formulated to be tested and
generate the desired results. This new hypothesis is known
as an alternative hypothesis.

• Each alternative hypothesis expresses another

description or a different explanation to that provided by
Hipótesis Alternativas

a research or null hypothesis.

• An alternative hypothesis is symbolized as Ha and it can

only be formulated if actually, there are other possibilities.

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 What is an alternative hypothesis?

Examples:

• Hi: “This chair is red”

• Ho: “This chair is not red”

• Ha: “This chair is blue”, “this chair is yellow”, …

Hipótesis Alternativas

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 What is an alternative hypothesis?

Examples:

• Hi: “Candidate A will obtain between 50 and 60% of the total

votes in the election for the school council presidency”
• Ho: “Candidate A will not obtain between 50 and 60% of the
total votes in the election for the school council presidency”
• Ha: “Candidate A will obtain more than 60% of the total votes
in the election for the school council presidency”
Hipótesis Alternativas

• Ha: “Candidate A will obtain less than 50% of the total votes
in the election for the school council presidency”

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 Types of Hypotheses
Problem identification and hypothesis formulation

1. Research hypothesis
2. Null hypothesis
3. Alternative hypothesis
4. Statistical hypothesis

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 What is a statistical hypothesis?

• It is a hypothesis, that can be verified statistically.

• It represents the transformation of research, null and

alternative hypotheses to statistical variables.

• It can only be formulated if the study data (which will be

collected and analyzed to test the hypothesis) are
Hipótesis Estadísticas

quantitative (numbers, percentages, average values).

• The variables in a statistical hypothesis can be

transformed into quantifiable sub-variables to test them
statistically.
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Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis
How many hypotheses per type?

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 How many hypotheses per type?
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

• There are not universal rules, not even an agreement

among researchers.

• It is highly recommended to take into account the

hypotheses when posing the problem.

1. Research hypothesis

Identify the Formulate 2. Null hypothesis

problem hypothesis
3. Alternative hypothesis

4. Statistical hypothesis

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 How many hypotheses per type?
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

• Each investigation is different.

• Some investigations contain a wide variety of hypotheses

(complex research problem), while others may contain only
one or two hypotheses.

• The quality of an investigation is not directly related to

the number of hypotheses it has.

• You must only formulate as many hypotheses as needed to

guide the study.

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 ¿What is the function of a hypothesis?
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

Main functions of a hypothesis

• It gives a direction to the research: It helps us know what we
are trying to find or prove.

• It provides order and logic to the study.

• The suggestions given by a hypothesis may be a solution for

the research problem (the task of the research is to investigate if
they are a solution or not)

• It has a descriptive and explanatory function, depending on the

case.

• It allows to suggest / test theories, if supported by evidence.

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 Variables in the formulation of a hypothesis
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

• When formulating a hypothesis, it is essential to define its terms

and variables.

• The variables can be measured, observed, evaluated or inferred.

• The variables allow the comparison of the investigation with

other similar ones.

• The results of the investigation can be adequately evaluated.

WITHOUT VARIABLES THERE IS NO RESEARCH

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 Conclusion
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

• To formulate or not a hypothesis: It will depend on the type of

research (exploratory, descriptive, correlational or explanatory).

• A hypotheses is a tentative proposition about the relationships

between two or more variables and is supported by organized
and systematized knowledge.

• A hypothesis contains variables, which are susceptible to being

measured, observed or inferred.

• A hypothesis generally arises from the approach of the problem

and the literature review.

• Hypotheses are classified into: a) research hypothesis; b) null

hypothesis; c) alternative hypothesis and d) statistical hypothesis
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Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis
Examples

HYPOTHESIS
RESEARCH QUESTION/S

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 Recap
Research Question
Structure of a research question

Base question Analysis unit

It's how the question starts They are the subjects,
What? How? What will it be? objects, events, etc on
What extent? which you want to
Introduction: Research Questions

What difference does it make? investigate

What relationship will exists?
How to establish relationships?
Space dimension
The scope of the study

The variables
Temporal dimension
The characteristics The study period Other features
that are going to be
valued … Methodology, context, ...

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 Recap
Research Questions
Research Question Structure

Examples
Variables
Basic Question
Introduction: Research Questions

¿What are the grip position and the optimal vacuum pressure
that guarantee object fastening of a 6-degree-of-freedom
articulated robot? Unit of Analysis

Space
dimension

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 Examples
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

Research topic: Nuclear waste

QUESTIONS HYPOTHESES

What are the best Hi: “Depending on the

materials to contain the materials used to contain
radiation produced by the radiation, different
nuclear plant waste? designs will be obtained”

Which methods are the

most effective and reliable Hi: “In the long term, one
to store nuclear plant specific method can be
waste in the long term? inefficient”

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 Examples
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

Research topic: Non-conventional energy generation

QUESTIONS HYPOTHESES

How feasible is the

implementation of step Hi: “Step generation is
generation effectively and very expensive”
economically?

Hi: “The utility of step

Where can we implement generation systems will
this type of generation? depend on the place
where it is implemented ”

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 Examples
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

Research topic: Power systems

QUESTIONS HYPOTHESIS

How can the energy

efficiency of conventional Hi: “The energy efficiency
power systems be of conventional systems
improved? can be improved in 90%
of all cases”

How can we reduce or

mitigate the environmental Hi: “The environment will
impact of energy benefit from a massive
consumption with the use implementation of smart
of smart grids? grids”

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 Examples
Identificación del problema y formulación de hipótesis

Research topic: Control Panelboards

QUESTIONS HYPOTHESIS

What are the benefits and Hi: “The improvement of

risks of implementing a the technology of control
technological upgrade in panelboards will result in a
control panelboards? net benefit”

Why is there a need for this Hi: “The use of control

technological advance? panelboards represents
an undisputed benefit”

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Credits

Ing. Carolina Godoy MSc.

Ing.Patricia Suárez Msig.