Research Questions & Hypotheses
Restate these questions as hypotheses.
How does body image affect self-esteem among college women?
Do private school students score better on standardized tests than public school students?
Which is the more effective method for teaching kids to learn to read: the whole-language approach or phonics?
Has violence on television and in the movies contributed to violence in our society?
Is there a relationship between graduate school enrollment and the state of the economy?
Does a multicultural curriculum lead to increased racial sensitivity?
Will a safety disclaimer on electronic purchasing persuade consumers to shop via the Internet?
Do foreign students in the U.S. prefer to speak in their native language or in English when they are with other foreign students from their home country (presumably a non-English-speaking nation)?
Sample Answer
Here are the questions restated as hypotheses:
- Body Image: There is a positive correlation between negative body image and lower self-esteem among college women. (This hypothesis predicts that as negative body image increases, self-esteem will decrease.)
- Standardized Testing: Private school students score significantly higher on standardized tests than public school students. (This hypothesis predicts a causal relationship between attending private school and achieving higher test scores.)