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Research Hypothesis

The research hypothesis is a vitally important element of any quantitative research study. This Discussion provides an opportunity for you to develop your own testable hypothesis based on the data set for the Final Project.

To prepare for this Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources. Then, look at the data set for the Final Project (provided in this week's Final Project, Part I) and engage in the following steps:

  • Develop a research question based on the variables in the data set.
  • Formulate a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis.
  • Consider the difference between a Type I error and a Type II error and think about how each of these might be demonstrated in this situation.
  • Research what is meant by a "familywise error" and consider whether or not this type of error might be of concern in this situation.

the Week 6 Discussion Questions are probably the most challenging for students, but what you put into this discussion question will really help you out in Part I of the final Project. 

Correctly setting up a research question and correctly stating the applicable hypotheses can be somewhat troublesome, at least on the first attempt.  First, consider the data set and carefully review the variables.  In our example of the Virginia data set for the Final Project Part I, we are considering a number of variables measured over two time periods - 2001 and 2005.  To setup a hypothesis, you want to consider a single variable and how it changes over the two time periods.  So, pick one - RN FTE, operating expenses, etc.  For your post, you will choose a specific variable, consider the two time periods, generate the appropriate null and research hypotheses, and then consider (and explain) what might happen if you have a Type I or Type II error.

Before you start this exercise, carefully read the Hawkes textbook on hypotheses, and specifically on "t-test paired two sample for means."  You might also have to do some outside "research" (Google searches) to dig a little deeper.  Here is one website on this topic that I found helpful: https://onlinecourses.science.psu.edu/stat500/node/51

When posting your response to the question, I want you to list your hypotheses, null and research, in their mathematical forms AND write out what each variable and symbol means.  This will ensure that you really understand what your hypotheses are measuring and what might happen depending on what the values of your means are - are the means the same or is one mean greater than the other?  In all cases, what does this tell you?  And, is the data from which you are calculating your statistical test a sample or population?  Which hypothesis applies to the sample and which applies to the population?  
You might have to scratch your head a few times to get this straight.  I know I certainly did the first time that I went through the concept of hypothesis testing, many years ago in my first (and probably second) statistics class - but hopefully you all will get this concept a lot quicker than I did the first go around!

 

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