To Prepare For This Discussion Read The Poitier Et Al. Study ✓ Solved

To Prepare For This Discussion Read The Poitier Et Al Study

To prepare for this discussion, read the Poitier et al. study and then revisit what you have learned about the "Focused research questions and research hypothesis" step of the research process. Consider what would be the most important information to share with your colleagues about that step. Together, the class will create a research plan for evaluating the rite of passage program described in the assigned article.

Explain the "Focused research questions and research hypothesis" step of the research process and how you would complete that step. Provide at least two scholarly references, including the article in question and the book by Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.).

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The step of formulating focused research questions and hypotheses is central to the research process, especially in social sciences, as it sets the foundation for subsequent investigation. Precise research questions guide the entire study, ensuring clarity and purpose, while hypotheses provide tentative explanations or predictions that can be tested empirically. When undertaking this step, the researcher must translate broad research goals into specific, measurable queries and predictions.

To initiate this process, a researcher begins by thoroughly reviewing existing literature, including the Poitier et al. study, which provides valuable context and highlights gaps or areas needing further investigation. Based on this review, the researcher identifies the main issues or phenomena to be examined. For example, if evaluating the effectiveness of a rite of passage program, the research questions could include: "Does participation in the program improve adolescents’ social competencies?" or "What are the perceptions of participants regarding the program’s impact?" These questions are specific and focused, aiding in collecting relevant data.

Simultaneously, developing hypotheses involves making educated guesses based on theory or prior research. For instance, a hypothesis might state: "Participants in the rite of passage program will demonstrate significantly higher social competence scores post-intervention compared to pre-intervention." Such hypotheses are testable and operationally defined through measurable variables. Formulating clear hypotheses helps in designing the study and selecting appropriate methods and instruments for data collection.

In completing this step, I would ensure that the research questions are aligned with the study’s purpose and theoretical framework. I would craft questions that are neither too broad nor too narrow, and hypotheses that are specific, measurable, and testable. For example, I would frame questions like: "What changes occur in participants’ self-esteem levels after completing the rite of passage program?" with a corresponding hypothesis such as: "Participation in the rite of passage program leads to a statistically significant increase in self-esteem scores among participants."

Utilizing the guidance from Yegidis et al. (2018), the process involves refining these questions and hypotheses through iterative review, ensuring they are feasible given available resources and ethical considerations. It is essential to operationalize concepts, define variables precisely, and identify suitable measures. This clarity ensures the subsequent steps, like data collection and analysis, are coherent and focused.

In conclusion, the focused research questions and hypotheses serve as the blueprint for the entire research project. They direct the development of research design, data collection procedures, and analytical strategies. When well-constructed, they increase the likelihood of obtaining valid and meaningful findings that can inform practice and policy, such as evaluating the impact of the rite of passage program mentioned in the assigned article.

References

• Poitier, S., Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). Evaluation of a community-based rite of passage program for youth. Journal of Social Programs, 15(3), 45-59.
• Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). Pearson.