Читать книгу The Research Experience - Ann Sloan Devlin - Страница 93

The statement of hypotheses (see definition in Chapter 1) typically comes at the end of the Introduction. The statement of hypotheses is important; if well stated, with specific predictions, a clear statement of hypotheses makes conducting the analyses straightforward. This sounds easier to do than it is. Even in exploratory correlational research where the investigator wants to look at the relationship of one situation to another, without an intervention, a statement of hypotheses would help guide the research effort. What is it that you really want to know? An interest in type of student housing and sense of community could be turned into an explicit statement with a hypothesis such as:

Students living in triples converted from doubles will report a lower sense of community than will students living in nonconverted doubles.

In the Introduction, note which hypotheses have been supported in the literature and where conflicts have occurred because this will highlight areas where work remains to be done (to resolve the conflicts). Other research opportunities are highlighted when authors mention a recent surge in research activity on a given topic after a period without much activity. For example, just a few studies on residence halls were done each year from the late 1960s to the late 1990s, at which time interest in the topic grew (refer to Figure 2.7). Why? Were new residence halls being constructed, which in turn led to the opportunity for field research? Your own experience with student housing would be a good place to start to consider the impact of a variety of student housing arrangements (e.g., campus apartments vs. high-rise residence halls).