TOPIC , RESEARCH QUEST ION, HYPOTHES IS , SOURCES

ISU PHASE 1

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR TOPIC

• Begin with the topic or issue you want to study. • This should be something that interests you or

perhaps you have personal experience with this issue.

• For the ISU, you will be asked to choose your own topic, there is no list of suggestions provided.

• You must find ANY source that provides you with inspiration for a topic.

STEP 2: RESEARCH QUESTION

• This forms the basis for your investigation and all the evidence for your research report. • A good research question states exactly what you

want to learn/research.

• It will be based on a cause and effect relationship of 2 specific factors – independent and dependent variables

RESEARCH QUESTION - CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Answering the `why' questions involves developing causal explanations in your research question• When creating your research question you will

consider:• How one factor affects another• Cause and effect relationship of 2 factors• Independent (cause) and dependant (effect) variables

• Causal explanations argue that one variable – independent variable/cause (e.g. gender) is affected by another variable – dependant variable/effect (e.g. income)

STEP 3: CREATE A HYPOTHESIS

What is a hypothesis?• A hypothesis is defined as “a proposition made as a basis for reasoning,

without the assumption of its truth, a supposition made as a starting-point for further investigation from known facts”.  (The Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1990). It provides reasons why the causal relationship in your research questions exists.

Does your hypothesis have to be true?• You don’t have to be certain that your hypothesis is correct.  It is a starting

point, a statement that you hope to prove true after more research and investigation.  That said, after more research you might find you have to modify your hypothesis. Or indicate in your conclusions that your initial hypothesis was not true. 

Why do you need a hypothesis?• A good hypothesis will help you to focus your investigation.  As you

progress through your research, you might notice that more and more information comes out.  Your hypothesis will ensure that you stay on course in your investigation.

ELEMENTS OF YOUR HYPOTHESIS

• Do not use personal pronouns – must be in 3rd person• Provide 3 reasonable arguments for the predicted

answer to your research question• Explain, in detail, why you think your 3

arguments/points are relevant explanations for the answer to your research question

• Make sure to address the connection between the 2 variables in your research question – why one variable causes another

• You do not have to be certain that your hypothesis is correct. It is a statement that you hope to prove true.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

Case Study/Photo:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1LG9NymhTE

Music Video:

• Artists Against Bullying - True Colors• http://www.youtube.co

m/watch?v=OzfYL51e3HI

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY:

• From the article provided:• Create a research question • Identify your independent and

dependant variables• Create a hypothesis – must include all of

the requirements indicated in class

YOUR ARTICLE

Article:• CBC News October 20, 2012 – Cyberbullying-

linked suicides rising, study says Factors including mental illness often present, Canadian researchers say• http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/10

/19/cyberbullying-suicide-study.html

LET’S SHARE -

• This was an example of how to get started on identifying your topic and completing phase 1.

• What is the topic?• What is your research question? – including

independent and dependent variables• What are other factors that are relevant to the

topic?• Is the source/article you were given credible? How

do you know?• What/how would you accomplish further

research?

PRELIMINARY SOURCEARTICLE:

• Gwendolyn Portzky . Kurt Audenaert . Kees van Heeringen• Suicide among adolescents: A psychological

autopsy study of psychiatric, psychosocial and personality-related risk factors• Accepted: 14 July 2005 / Published online: 14

October 2005• https://

biblio.ugent.be/input/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=337405&fileOId=455814

BRAINSTORMING OUTLINE FOR PHASE 1 – CONFERENCE

• You have been given a brainstorming handout that further outlines the success criteria for phase 1.

• You will be using this outline in your conference with me this week – you must sign up for a time slot.

• Conferencing for Phase 1 will be: __________________________________________________

• You must make sure to hand in a good copy of phase 1 – completed using formal structure and word processed.

• Due date for Phase 1 is: ___________________________