SUPERINTENDENT

CHAPTER 1:
THE PROBLEM AND ITS
BACKGROUND
 INTRODUCTION
The research introduction is to give a
description of the problem that will be
addressed.

The introduction leads the reader from a

general research issue or problem to your
specific area of research.
 INTRODUCTION
It establishes the scope, context, and
significance of the research being conducted
by summarizing current understanding and
background information about the topic,
stating the purpose of the work in the form of
the research problem
 The Parts of the Introduction
Research Paper
1. The Topic Sentence

The topic sentence in the introduction

simply states the main idea of your paper.
 The Parts of the Introduction
Research Paper
2. The Thesis Statement
The thesis statement in the introduction
makes the main idea of your paper clear
to the reader.
 The Parts of the Introduction
Research Paper
3. Supporting Sentences

Three to five reasonable arguments should

be presented in the form of reasons, details
and/or facts. These arguments must
support your research.
 The Parts of the Introduction
Research Paper
4. The Conclusion Sentence

The concluding sentence of the

introductory paragraph simply recalls the
main idea and adds a strong ending to a
paragraph.
 Think of the introduction as a mental road map
that must answer for the reader these four
questions:
• What was I studying?
• Why was this topic important to
investigate?
• What did we know about this topic
before I did this study?
• How will this study advance new
knowledge or new ways of
understanding?
The general phases associated with writing
an introduction:
1. Establish an area to research by:
Highlighting the importance of the topic,
and/or
Making general statements about the
topic, and/or
Presenting an overview on current
research on the subject.
The general phases associated with writing
an introduction:

2. Identify a research niche by:

 Opposing an existing assumption, and/or
 Revealing a gap in existing research,
and/or
 Formulating a research question or
problem, and/or
 Continuing a disciplinary tradition.
The general phases associated with writing
an introduction:
3. Place your research within the
research niche by:
Stating the intent of your study,
Outlining the key characteristics of your
study,
Describing important results, and
Giving a brief overview of the structure of
the paper.
 Importance of a
Good Introduction
 A well-written introduction is important because,
quite simply, you never get a second chance to
make a good first impression.
 The opening paragraph of your paper will
provide your readers with their initial impressions
about the logic of your argument, your writing
style, the overall quality of your research, and,
ultimately, the validity of your findings and
conclusions.
 CHAPTER 1:

HYPOTHESIS
 HYPOTHESIS

is a tentative statement about

the relationship between two or
more variables. It is a specific,
testable prediction about what you
expect to happen in a study.
 Purpose of Hypothesis
A hypothesis is used in an experiment to
define the relationship between
two variables.
A hypothesis is to find the answer to a
question. A formalized hypothesis will
force us to think about what results we
should look for in an experiment.
 Purpose of Hypothesis
The first variable is called the independent
variable. This is the part of the experiment
that can be changed and tested.
The independent variable happens first and
can be considered the cause of any
changes in the outcome. The outcome is
called the dependent variable.
A hypothesis should always:
• Explain what you expect to happen
• Be clear and understandable
• Be testable
• Be measurable
• And contain an independent and
dependent variable
The Seven Most Common Forms of
Hypothesis
1. A Simple Hypothesis is a prediction of the
relationship between two variables: the
independent variable and the dependent
variable.
Example:
• Drinking sugary drinks daily leads to
obesity.
 The Seven Most Common Forms of
Hypothesis
2. A Complex Hypothesis examines the
relationship between two or more independent
variables and two or more dependent variables.
Example:
• Overweight adults who 1) value longevity
and 2) seek happiness are more likely than
other adults to 1) lose their excess weight
and 2) feel a more regular sense of joy.
 The Seven Most Common Forms of
Hypothesis
3. A Null Hypothesis (H0) exists when a
researcher believes there is no relationship
between the two variables, or there is a lack of
information to state a scientific hypothesis. This is
something to attempt to disprove or discredit.
Example:
• There is no significant change in my
health during the times when I drink green
tea only or root beer only.
 The Seven Most Common Forms of
Hypothesis
4. This is where the Alternative Hypothesis (H1)
enters the scene. In an attempt to disprove a null
hypothesis, researchers will seek to discover an
alternative hypothesis.
Example:
• My health improves during the times
when I drink green tea only, as
opposed to root beer only.
 The Seven Most Common Forms of
Hypothesis
5. A Logical Hypothesis is a proposed explanation
possessing limited evidence. Generally, you want to
turn a logical hypothesis into an empirical hypothesis,
putting your theories or statement to the test.
Example:
• Cacti experience more successful growth rates
than tulips on Mars. (Until we're able to test plant
growth in Mars' ground for an extended period of
time, the evidence for this claim will be limited
and the hypothesis will only remain logical.)
 The Seven Most Common Forms of
Hypothesis
6. An Empirical Hypothesis, or working hypothesis,
comes to life when a theory is being put to the test,
using observation and experiment. It's no longer just an
idea or notion. It's actually going through some trial and
error, and perhaps changing around those independent
variables.
Example:
• Roses watered with liquid Vitamin B grow faster
than roses watered with liquid Vitamin E. (Here,
trial and error is leading to a series of findings.)
 The Seven Most Common Forms of
Hypothesis
7. A Statistical Hypothesis is an examination of a
portion of a population.
Example:
• If you wanted to conduct a study on the life
expectancy of Savannians, you would want to
examine every single resident of Savannah.
This is not practical. Therefore, you would
conduct your research using a statistical
hypothesis, or a sample of the Savannian
population.