Ptsd Is My Research Question And Hypothesis

Ptsd Is My Research Questionresearch Question And Hypothesisafter Read

PTSD is my research question Research Question and Hypothesis After reading the feedback on your proposed quantitative research question in M1 Assignment 2 , provide your revised quantitative research question. Next, develop a hypothesis for the research question (Include a null and an alternative hypothesis for your question.). Keep in mind that a hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. A hypothesis describes in concrete (rather than theoretical) terms what you expect will happen in your study. It should be testable and often mirrors the research question in the way that it is written.

For example, there is a positive correlation between having an alcoholic parent and alcoholism in adulthood. Once you have clearly stated your research question and hypothesis, discuss the following (in 1–2 pages): Why is a null hypothesis required in research? How is the null hypothesis used when drawing conclusions from the collected data? What is the relationship of your hypothesis to the identified problem? How is your hypothesis feasible? How is your hypothesis measurable and testable?

Paper For Above instruction

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) represents a significant mental health challenge affecting numerous individuals worldwide, especially those exposed to traumatic events such as warfare, natural disasters, or personal violence. Developing a precise research question, along with testable hypotheses, is central to advancing understanding and treatment of PTSD within a quantitative research framework. This paper presents the revised research question, formulates null and alternative hypotheses, and discusses the rationale and feasibility behind these hypotheses.

Revised Research Question

The initial research question was broad and lacked specificity regarding the independent and dependent variables. Based on feedback, the revised question aims to investigate the relationship between trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity among adults who have experienced significant traumatic events. The specific research question is: Is there a significant positive correlation between trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity among adults exposed to traumatic events?

Hypotheses Development

The hypotheses are formulated in line with the research question to enable statistical testing. The null hypothesis (H₀) posits that there is no relationship between trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity, meaning trauma severity does not influence PTSD symptoms. Conversely, the alternative hypothesis (H₁) suggests that increased trauma severity is associated with higher PTSD symptom severity.

• Null Hypothesis (H₀): There is no correlation between trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity among adults exposed to traumatic events.
• Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): There is a positive correlation between trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity among adults exposed to traumatic events.

Importance of the Null Hypothesis in Research

The null hypothesis plays a critical role in scientific research as a default assumption that indicates no effect or relationship between variables. Its primary function is to serve as a baseline against which the research hypotheses are tested statistically. By establishing a null hypothesis, researchers can objectively evaluate whether the observed data provide sufficient evidence to reject the null in favor of an alternative hypothesis, thereby validating the presence of an effect or relationship (Cohen, 1988).

In inferential statistics, the null hypothesis is used during hypothesis testing procedures such as t-tests, correlation analyses, or regression analysis. It acts as a benchmark, and statistical significance is determined by the likelihood that the observed data would occur if the null hypothesis were true. If the probability (p-value) falls below a predetermined threshold (e.g., 0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected, suggesting the data support the alternative hypothesis (Field, 2013).

Relation of Hypothesis to the Problem

The formulated hypothesis directly addresses the identified problem—understanding how trauma affects PTSD symptoms. Recognizing a positive correlation can help in developing targeted interventions for individuals with varying trauma exposure levels. Therefore, the hypothesis explicitly links trauma severity with symptom severity, facilitating measurable investigation of the problem's core aspects and contributing to evidence-based treatment strategies.

Feasibility of the Hypothesis

The hypothesis is feasible because it relies on measurable variables—trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity—that can be quantified using validated assessment tools such as the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) or the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Data collection through structured interviews or standardized questionnaires ensures data reliability. Moreover, statistical methods like Pearson’s correlation coefficient can effectively test the hypothesized relationship, making the research practically implementable.

Measurability and Testability

The hypothesis is both measurable and testable through quantitative methods. Trauma severity can be quantified using established trauma exposure scales, which assess the types and intensity of traumatic experiences. PTSD symptom severity can be measured through self-report questionnaires designed to evaluate symptom clusters, such as re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Data obtained can be statistically analyzed using correlation or regression analysis to determine the strength and significance of the relationship. This systematic approach ensures that the hypothesis can be conclusively tested, providing empirical evidence regarding the association between trauma severity and PTSD symptoms (Blake et al., 1995).

Conclusion

In summary, the revised research question focuses on the relationship between trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity among adults. The null and alternative hypotheses are designed to facilitate objective testing through statistical analysis, with the null hypothesis serving as a baseline assumption. The hypotheses are feasible, measurable, and testable, aligning with the overarching goal of advancing understanding of PTSD's correlates and informing clinical interventions.

References

• Blake, D. D., Weathers, F. W., Nagy, L. M., et al. (1995). The Development of a Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8(1), 75–90.
• Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. Sage Publications.
• Foa, E. B., et al. (1997). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale (PSS): Construction and Validation. Psychological Assessment, 9(4), 409–417.
• Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and Recovery. Basic Books.
• Kilpatrick, D. G., et al. (2013). The Impact of Traumatic Events on PTSD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(2), 134–145.
• McNally, R. J. (2003). Remembering Trauma. Harvard University Press.
• Resick, P. A., & Monson, C. M. (2017). Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. Guilford Publications.
• Shalev, A. Y., et al. (2017). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. The New England Journal of Medicine, 376(25), 2459–2469.
• Vantarakis, A., et al. (2020). Quantitative Methods in PTSD Research. Journal of Psychological Methods, 34(3), 197–212.