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Aspects of Psychological Research

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An Example on Developing the Vital Parts to Research Proposal

Interest in a particular topic usually begins the research process, but it is the familiarity with the subject that helps define an appropriate research question for a study. Questions then arise out of a perceived knowledge deficit within a subject area or field of study. Constructing research questions and hypotheses are perhaps the most critical first approaches to the research process. It is imperative to know these steps because they are the essential process of research and how an individual can go about developing quality research ideas, questions, and hypotheses.
Helpful definitions of: Unsystematic observation-Systematic observation-Theory-Applied issues and Operationally Defining Variables

"Unsystematic observation"= Unsystematic observation includes casual observation of both human and animal behavior.

"Systematic observation"= Systematic observation includes carefully planned personal observations, published research reports, and your own previous or ongoing research.

"Theory"= Theory is a set of assumptions about the causes of a phenomenon and the rules that specify how causes act; predictions made by theory can provide testable research hypotheses.

"Applied issues"= refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical problems. Applied research is used to find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and develop innovative technologies.

Operation definition or Operationally Defining Variables = involves defining a variable in terms of the operations required to measure it. Defining variables operationally allows you to measure precisely the variables that you include in your study and to determine whether a relationship exists between them.

Questions

1#) Provide an analysis of how your own experience, "unsystematic observation" and "systematic observation", "theory", and "applied issues" can help you to develop sound research ideas.

2#) Then generate a few research questions of your own here (perhaps with an eye towards developing one of these questions into your research proposal)

3#) Evaluate the quality of your research question based on the following criteria:
• Is the question directly answerable?
• Is the question empirically based?
• Does the question use operational definitions to define variables?
• Does the question ask something important?
• How could you revise your original research question to better meet these criteria?
•Finally, describe how a research question differs from a hypothesis.

Use scholarly resources to support your answers. Cite your sources using APA format

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Solution Summary

This solution describes important aspects involved in the development of a research question.

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1) Unsystematic observation can help me to develop sound research ideas, due to the fact that this free form of observation provides me with information as to the natural actions and interactions of humans and animals, from which to develop research ideas about the nature of these actions. Systematic observation to help me to develop sound research ideas, due to the fact that this controlled form of observation forms the catalyst from which research ideas can be developed about the actions of humans and animals under controlled conditions. Theory can help me to develop sound research ideas, due to the fact that the assumptions contained within ...

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