Theme: From Problem Identification to Aim, Objectives, and Hypotheses
Duration: 1 week (self-paced)
Level: MA / MSc / PhD Preparation
Format: Fully self-contained lesson for independent study
🔷 3.1 Purpose of This Module
This module teaches you how to move from a general topic to a clearly defined research problem, then break it into a focused research question, aligned aim, SMART objectives, and (where appropriate) hypotheses.
By the end, you will be able to:
- Formulate clear, answerable, and meaningful research questions
- Distinguish between research topics, problems, and questions
- Develop aligned research aims and objectives
- Formulate testable hypotheses (for quantitative research)
🧠 3.2 From Topic → Problem → Question
✅ A. Topic
A broad area of interest, issue, or theme.
Example Topics:
- Digital education
- Urban sustainability
- Mental health in workplaces
✅ B. Research Problem
A specific issue, gap, or unresolved question in the topic that needs scholarly inquiry.
Example:
- Topic: Digital education
- Problem: “Despite wide adoption of AI tools in learning, their effect on critical thinking is not well understood.”
✅ C. Research Question
A clearly framed, focused question that guides the entire research process.
Good questions are:
- Answerable (with available data)
- Clear (focused, not vague)
- Researchable (not opinion-based or too philosophical)
- Relevant (addresses a real-world or academic issue)
Examples:
- “How do AI writing tools affect the critical thinking development of university students?”
- “What are the barriers to climate-resilient urban planning in Sub-Saharan Africa?”
- “How do nurses experience burnout during pandemic conditions?”
🎯 3.3 Research Aim and Objectives
✅ Research Aim
A broad statement of intent—what you hope to achieve overall.
Examples:
- “To explore the impact of AI-assisted writing tools on student learning outcomes.”
- “To evaluate the effectiveness of a hybrid work model on employee well-being.”
✅ Research Objectives
More specific, measurable steps that break down the aim into tasks.
Use the SMART model:
| SMART | Meaning |
|---|---|
| S | Specific |
| M | Measurable |
| A | Achievable |
| R | Relevant |
| T | Time-bound |
Examples (for the AI writing tool topic):
- To examine how frequently students use AI tools in academic writing over a 4-month period.
- To compare perceived critical thinking ability between AI users and non-users.
- To analyse students’ attitudes towards AI feedback vs. tutor feedback.
🔬 3.4 Hypotheses (For Quantitative Research)
A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.
✅ Types of Hypotheses:
- Null Hypothesis (H₀): Assumes no relationship
- Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): Predicts a relationship exists
Example:
- Research Question: “Does daily mindfulness practice reduce stress among postgraduate students?”
- H₀: Daily mindfulness has no effect on stress levels.
- H₁: Daily mindfulness reduces stress levels.
📊 3.5 Types of Research Questions
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Descriptive | Describes characteristics or trends | “What proportion of UK students use mental health apps weekly?” |
| Comparative | Compares two or more groups | “How do stress levels differ between online and in-person students?” |
| Causal/Explanatory | Examines cause and effect | “Does using an AI tutor increase student grades?” |
| Exploratory | Investigates a new or unknown topic | “How do students feel about AI being used to detect plagiarism?” |
| Evaluative | Assesses the effectiveness of something | “Is the new flexible work policy reducing staff turnover?” |
🛠 3.6 Self-Learning Task Set (Independent Exercises)
✍️ TASK 1: From Topic to Question
Choose one general topic that interests you. Then, complete the steps:
- Write a brief description of the issue (3–4 sentences)
- Identify a specific research problem
- Frame a main research question
Examples:
- Topic: Mental health in postgraduate students
- Problem: Increasing stress levels but little research on how AI tools help
- Research Question: “How do AI-supported wellness apps affect stress management among MA students?”
🧠 TASK 2: Write Research Aim and Objectives
Using your question from Task 1:
- Draft one broad aim
- Create 3 SMART objectives that would help you achieve this aim
Example:
- Aim: To assess the role of AI-supported wellness apps in managing postgraduate stress.
- Objectives:
- To measure frequency of wellness app usage over 3 months
- To compare self-reported stress levels of users and non-users
- To explore user satisfaction with app-based coping strategies
🔬 TASK 3: Hypothesis Construction (if using quantitative method)
Based on your question, write:
- Null hypothesis (H₀)
- Alternative hypothesis (H₁)
Example:
- H₀: Using AI-supported wellness apps does not reduce postgraduate stress.
- H₁: Using AI-supported wellness apps reduces postgraduate stress.
📚 TASK 4: Question Quality Test
Evaluate your own research question using the checklist:
| Question Test | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Is it clear and specific? | ☐ |
| Is it researchable (not too abstract)? | ☐ |
| Is it ethically doable? | ☐ |
| Is it relevant to society or academia? | ☐ |
| Is it feasible in terms of time/resources? | ☐ |
🔍 3.7 Summary of Key Takeaways
- A research topic is broad; a question is specific and focused.
- A good research question is clear, researchable, and relevant.
- Your aim defines your study’s purpose; objectives break that into tasks.
- If using quantitative research, formulate hypotheses to test.
- Every component (question, aim, objectives, hypothesis) must align.
✅ End-of-Module Self-Evaluation Checklist
| Concept | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| I can explain the difference between topic, problem, and question | ☐ |
| I have written my own clear, researchable question | ☐ |
| I developed an aim and three SMART objectives | ☐ |
| I can write null and alternative hypotheses | ☐ |
| I understand the different types of research questions | ☐ |