Dawn Willoughby - Numbers - B2+

Low income is the main reason for job dissatisfaction.

1 How is job satisfaction defined?

2________

3________

4________

5________

6________

Blueberries have a positive impact on the mind.

1 What foods have a positive impact on the mind?

2________

3________

4________

A piece of research may contain more than one hypothesis that will be tested. Another common thing other than cause and effect that is tested is a comparison between two groups or classes.

Example:

Single sex schools produce better academic results than other schools. They are also more of an advantage for girls than boys.

Here the hypothesis is looking at the cause and effect relationship between single sex schools and academic success but it is also making a comparison between boys and girls.

Exercise 10

Which of the following hypotheses make a comparison?

1People who regularly use computers suffer from more health issues than those who do not use them.

2Men make more impulse purchases than women.

3It is more difficult to learn a second language after the age of 20 than before it.

4Independent study increases academic success.

5Three minutes’ intensive exercise is enough to maintain fitness levels.

Exercise 11

Look at these possible causes and their effects. Can you join them together to write a hypothesis for each one?

1Travel abroad > malaria

Travelling abroad increases the risk of catching malaria.

2Recycling > save money

3Low temperatures > car accidents

4Language learning > cultural awareness

It is important to be specific in your research question.

You need to define and clearly state your question early on in the research process.

Sampling can have a significant impact on your research and should be done carefully.

It is important to choose the most appropriate research methods.

You can use hypotheses as part of your research process.

Aims

understand some common research methods

understand when to use interviews, questionnaires and focus groups

understand the advantages and disadvantages of common research methods

Quiz

Self-evaluation

Read the statements below. Circle the answers that are true for you.

A wide range of research methods is available for you to choose from when you conduct a research project. The key is to choose the most appropriate method or methods for your research aims. In Social Sciences, particularly with projects at undergraduate level, three of the most common methods are interviews, questionnaires and focus groups. This, of course, does not mean you need to limit yourself to these methods.

This chapter looks at some of the main research methods, at some of their main advantages and disadvantages and gives a brief overview of some other methods of research. The following two chapters look in more detail at how to produce a questionnaire and conduct an interview.

For more information on other research methods, see Further reading.

A research method is the way in which you choose to collect your data. A wide range of research methods can be used to gather data. This section will give you an overview before looking in more detail at some of the main advantages and disadvantages of four key research methods: questionnaires, focus groups, interviews and experiments. This is then followed by a brief overview of some other methods to consider. When you select your method it is important to choose one that will effectively help you to answer your research question or test your hypothesis. It is also important to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Many students choose to do a survey using a questionnaire as it is commonly believed that the method is easy. A questionnaire doesn’t involve the pressure of an interview, and the answers are conveniently written down for future analysis. However, it can be challenging to write an effective questionnaire.

Questionnaires can be distributed in a variety of ways and there is a varying amount of success in getting responses back. The questions are typically predominantly aimed at gathering quantitative data, but an element of qualitative data can also be gathered.

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