Dec 15, 2023 |
4 Mins Read
Understanding Research Hypothesis: Perfect your hypothesis for your research statement
In academic research, the hypothesis statement directs the course of investigation and exploration. It serves as the foundation of an experiment as it is a proposed outcome, this guides the methodology and findings of a research design. In this blog, we shed light on the significance and intricacies of formulating an effective hypothesis that solidifies the approach while investigating its impact on relevant variables. What is a research hypothesis? A research hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts the relationship between two variables and how they impact one another. A good research hypothesis has no ambiguity, clearly specifies variables and is structured to be proven or countered depending on the trajectory of the study. This statement should also specify how the study aims to generate new knowledge through the experiment. What are the different types of hypotheses? Hypothesis TypeDefinitionExampleSimpleProposes a relationship between independent and dependent variable.Increased sunlight exposure leads to higher plant growth.ComplexProposes relationships between two or more independent and dependent variables.Increased sunlight exposure impacts the growth rate of specific plant species, and this effect is contingent upon factors such as the plant's genetic makeup, soil composition, and optimal climatic conditions, implying that while sunlight plays a crucial role, its influence on plant growth is mediated by multifaceted environmental and genetic variables.DirectionalDetails the directions derived from theory, specifies the steps to be taken to identify a relationship between relevant variables.Increased sunlight exposure significantly increases the rate of plant growth.Non-directionalDoes not predict exact nature of relationship between variables and is usually applied when there’s an absence of theory and contradictory results.There is a relationship between sunlight exposure and plant growth.NullProposes that there is no relationship between variables, justifies the generation of results through chance.There is no significant effect of increased sunlight exposure on plant growth.AlternativeOpposite to null, alternative hypothesis states that there is a significant relationship between two variables.Increased sunlight exposure is associated with higher plant growth. Components of a hypothesis In the case of research experiments, a good hypothesis contains independent and dependent variables, the predicted relationship between them, and the outcome of this relationship. Example hypothesis: Variables: Employee job satisfaction (independent variable) influences productivity levels (dependent variable) within an organization. Predicted Relationship: Higher job satisfaction among employees will lead to increased productivity levels. Outcome: The study might find that departments or teams with higher job satisfaction scores tend to demonstrate greater productivity, implying a positive relationship between job satisfaction and productivity. Why is a well-written hypothesis important? A well-written hypothesis is the foundation of a research study, it helps the researcher determine how to address the investigation. A good hypothesis also aids in assuming the probability of the study’s failure or progress while also ensuring the methodologies are scientifically valid. Furthermore, the research hypothesis statement links the underlying theory to the research question while also measuring the reliability and validity of the study itself. Common hypothesis errors to avoid Your research hypothesis should be specific and clear. When constructing the hypothesis, try to be as concise as possible while understanding that less is more. The following should be avoided in research hypotheses: Ambiguity, overgeneralisation and lack of specifics Having too many variables without establishing clear relationship between them Unvalid or insufficient justification of variable relationship FAQs What are some tips for ensuring testability of a hypothesis? The hypothesis should be structured in a way wherein the possibility of it being being false or true is present. Furthermore, the results of the hypothesis should be reproducible. How do I differentiate between a research question and a research hypothesis? A research question states what the study will investigate without making any assumptions or predictions, whereas a hypothesis answers that question through predicting relationships between variables and their possible outcome. What are the potential drawbacks of a poorly formulated hypothesis? Having a poor hypothesis structure can negatively impact the research design as the hypothesis statement guides the methodology and findings sections. Discover millions of open access research papers across an array of disciplines on Zendy now. ol, ul { margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; } p, ul, li, ol { word-break: initial !important; }
See the Top Reads of November 2023
As we approach the end of 2023, this blog explores November’s insightful top reads featuring research papers from various areas of study such as psychology, political media, law, cancer research and technology within justice systems. The Art of Remembering This article discusses how our memory can be strengthened in this printing and note-making era, through the “loci method”. This method involves constructing visual images of objects and mentally placing them in a familiar space, to recall the memory you would need to simply retrace your steps back to where you mentally placed the item. Learn more here: Psychology: The Art of Remembering Post-mining Policies in The Eastern USA Coal Region This journal article discusses the development of mining laws in the US. Since 1977, mine operators are required to conduct a pre-mining analysis and designate a usage for the land once mining and extraction has concluded. Accepted post-mining use of land are: prime farmland, hay land and pasture, biofuel crops, forestry, wildlife habitat and building site development. This article emphasises that post-mining conditions should provide ecosystem services and lands capable of handling future societal needs. Learn more here: Post-mining policies and practices in the Eastern USA coal region Integrative Approach to Cancer Research This article states that precision oncology has progressed cancer treatment focused on actionable gene mutation, however the majority of cancers don’t have druggable oncogene mutations. The paper proposes that for precision oncology to progress, it has to consider more than just genetics; therefore suggesting researchers should focus on immunotherapy which is a treatment used to help the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Furthermore, the paper urges medical professionals to take advantage of research across numerous fields as patient care is not one universal approach. Learn more here: Integrative approaches to cancer research Political Public Relations: Media and Information Management This article argues that information in political PR is disseminated by manipulating the material, which is commonly known as “communication spin”. It explores how governments assign communications specialists to execute these spins since media and information management are the most important aspects of political PR. The paper goes on to assess and analyse various spin techniques used in political PR that governments deem “acceptable.” Learn more here: Political Public Relations − Media and Information Management Algorithms in Swiss Criminal Justice System The Swiss justice system is shaped by algorithms which were implemented due to demands for efficiency and political advancement. This paper calls for a critical evaluation and research-based optimisation of these algorithms as the societal implications and legal foundations on the usage of such technology is loosely considered. Furthermore, the paper suggests that potential racial disparity and decline in user responsibility have been criticised widely. Learn more here: Smart criminal justice: exploring the use of algorithms in the Swiss criminal justice system Discover millions of e-books, journal articles, proceedings and more on Zendy now.
Zendy's Head of Technology, Rodrigo Pinto, presents at F.O.R.M 2023.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - 28 November 2023 - Our head of technology, Rodrigo Pinto Mendez, presented his paper titled: "Leveraging Big Data and Machine Learning to Enhance Open Data Quality: Insights for Developing Regions" at the Forum for Open Research panel that tackled "Open Data and Open Source: Benefits and Case Studies." The presentation addresses the need for accurate and reliable open data, focusing on developing regions that can accelerate their social and economic progress through data-driven insights. It explores the relationship between big data and machine learning in enhancing the quality of open data while also observing how open data can be extracted, transformed, and unified. The talk also assesses how machine learning can be used to detect anomalies within datasets. About F.O.R.M. 2023 The 2023 Annual Forum featured panels addressing key themes related to the advancement of Open Science policies and practices in research institutions and communities throughout the Arab world. This 2023 conference theme was:Democratizing Knowledge:The evolution of open science ecosystems and communities in the Arab World.
Discover and avoid these types of plagiarism in your next academic paper
Originality is crucial in academic research. The initial approval process to conduct research relies on the originality of the idea and the new contribution the paper would make to the area of study. Academic research papers should be varied but rather drive the development of an idea or concept. This acceleration of new knowledge is hindered when plagiarism takes place. What is plagiarism? Plagiarism is the practice of presenting another person’s work or idea as your own. In the world of academia, this is a serious offense that can negatively impact a researcher’s career as their papers are usually retracted and they lose their credibility. Educational institutions like universities and colleges can expel and bar students from being admitted to other institutions as this ethical offense is reflected on their record. Common types of plagiarism Type DefinitionHow to avoid Direct PlagiarismWord-for-word duplication of somebody else’s content- Acknowledge and cite the source.- Paraphrase the content by changing sentence voice (active to passive or vice versa) - Include quotation marks in direct qoutes.Paraphrasing PlagiarismOriginal author’s work is restructured very similarly without citing them and their research.- Use synonyms for non-generic words.- Paraphrase by changing sentence voice and change clauses to phrases.Mosaic PlagiarismOccurs when phrases are taken from the original author without quotation marks and citations.- Appropriately cite sources using quotation marks and footnotes.Self-plagiarismUtilising your own sentence structures and ideas from previously submitted work without citing the source.- Ensure there is sufficient material to justify the new paper. - Appropriately cite the original source.Patchwork PlagiarismOccurs when material is copied from several sources and rearranged to create their own flow on a new paper without crediting any new sources.- Paraphrase material into your own words.- Enclose verbatim content in quotation marks and cite.Accidental PlagiarismOccurs when the author inaccurately cites sources, misquotes information or unintentionally paraphrases too similarly without the intent to present ideas as their own.- Proofread research paper multiple times before submitting. - Cite everything that was not discovered by you, including widely-known information. How to avoid plagiarism When working on a research paper, you can try and apply the following strategies to avoid committing plagiarism: Cite your sources When stating an idea or presenting information that you have found through a different source, add the proper in-text citation to indicate that this material is “borrowed”. Include quotation marks When quoting a source verbatim, using quotation marks helps avoid plagiarism and indicates that these words are relevant but not yours. The quote should also include it’s source. Paraphrase Paraphrasing can be tricky as it is a thin line between itself and plagiarism, it involves restructuring ideas into your own words without changing their meaning and intent. This also needs to be appropriately cited. Present your ideas Your research paper should constructively explain your perspective on the information that is cited. Touch on how this is relevant to your findings or argument. Use plagiarism tracker Utilising plagiarism detection tools can help avoid accidental plagiarism. These tools highlight plagiarised content and provide an overall percentage to help users understand their paper’s problem areas. Ethical writing practices In academic writing, ethical guidelines demand authors to avoid weaknesses of bias and exclusive language, while encouraging authors to write on a range of perspectives that are relevant to the area of study and clearly indicate through citations where external material has been incorporated into the paper. The infographic below describes 3 strategies to make sure your academic writing skills are in line with ethical guidelines. Plagiarism detection tools These detection tools ensure that academic research papers are original. They compare the material to a vast database of existing information and highlight any duplicated material, this helps maintain the author’s credibility and authenticity while avoiding certain legal issues. Here are a few detectors that Zendy recommends: Copyscape Turnitin Grammarly iThenticate Scribbr In conclusion, plagiarism is a serious academic offense that taints a researcher or student’s career by taking away their credibility and authenticity. Which is why the approval process of academic research is a rigorous one, to ensure the author and researchers have sufficient new contributions and perspectives within a specific area of study. Furthermore, establishing a practice of scanning lengthy research papers against recommended detection tools benefits researchers in citing all content appropriately and even avoids accidental plagiarism. ul { margin: 0 !important; } li a { color: rgb(244 178 35); }
See the Top Reads of October 2023
Welcome to Zendy’s top read highlights — the top five research papers of the month. In the evolving landscape of academic scholarship, we bring you a selection of noteworthy contributions to research. From the depths of science and humanities to the forefront of technology and law, these papers exemplify academic excellence. Law of the Sea and Democracy This journal article discusses how the laws that govern oceans are democratic however they are not directly related to democracy. The paper goes on to emphasize the complex framework of sea law recognizing that most democratic countries abide by it and how it has presented conflict in sea usage which escalates issues in international law. It also touches on how certain nations are divided on various sea matters such as coastal countries versus those that rely on open sea or developing versus developed countries. Read more here: Law of the Sea and Democracy Graphic Design and Button Placement This journal article is an analysis of user preferences regarding button placements on map applications, the study focuses on 6 map applications and analysed them based on the graphic diversity of buttons. The research concluded that to achieve effective map application design, the process needs to start considering the smallest possible device the application would be used on. Read more here: Graphic Design and Button Placement for Mobile Map Applications Flipped Micro-modules for Teaching Sustainable Engineering Practices This journal article explores a teaching method known as “flipped micro-module pedagogy” wherein students utlise AR and VR technology to engage in immersive learning, use social media platforms to disseminate course materials, and the method encourages project-basec learning where students apply their learnings to real-world issues. The goal of the study is to assess whether engineering students find this approach effective compared to their existing curriculum. Read more here: Flipped Micro-Modules for Teaching Sustainable Engineering Practices Evaluation of Carbon Farming Strategies This journal article places emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in organic vegetable growth. It proposes carbon farming as an alternative because the method improves soil health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports biodiversity, however, the how effective carbon farming is, is unclear. The study also highlights the importance of measuring and estimating changes in soil carbon stock and potential environmental and economic impact on farmers. The findings suggest that carbon farming can be beneficial in various aspects however further research is required to optimise implementation. Read more here: The Evaluation of Carbon Farming Strategies in Organic Vegetable Cultivation The Science of Judicial Psychology This paper claims that crime in Romania has seen an increase due to severe economic and social challenges and the crisis of authority within institutions, emphasising that in this context crime is driven by needs, tendencies, motives and goals. The article goes on to dissect the complexity of criminal behaviour while highlighting all relevant motivators and factors that lead to a crime being committed. Read more here: The Science of Judicial Psychology Discover millions of e-books, journal articles, proceedings and more on Zendy now.