Research Questions and
Hypotheses
From Cone and Foster (2003)
Research Questions
• Well-worded research questions:
1. In the form of a question
2. Question should suggest a relationship to be
examined
3. Question implies the possibility of empirical
testing
Hypotheses
• Hypotheses are declarative sentences that
assume a relationship between two or more
variables (Kerlinger, 1986)
• Hypotheses can come from:
– 1) previous empirical research
– 2) theory
– 3) or both
Hypothesis example
“There is a positive relationship between
education level and preference for liberal
causes in professional women.”
Characteristics of well-worded hypotheses:
1) Indicate specific relationship to be examined
2) Avoid cluttering up hypotheses with
methodological detail
3) Don’t overdo the number of hypotheses.
Parsimony is important.