Page 29 - Exhibit No. 3 Copies of Instructional Materials Actually Used

Introduction to the Research Problem, Purpose, Questions and Hypothesis

1. A research problem is considered a professional situation in need of
improvement, change or a solution. Houser (2012) considered research
problem to be the "why".
2. The research purpose is the goal or interest of the study. The purpose
statement also investigates how variables (qualities, properties,
characteristics) are studied in a setting and population, (Housers, 2012). Polit
and Beck (2012) support that a problem statement represents and indicates a
situation to be studied.
3. Research questions are specific questions that researcher wants to know the
intent of the study. According to Polit and Beck (2012), research questions
direct the data to be collected for the study.
4. A hypothesis is a statement that makes a specific prediction between one or
two variables in a population then tested.

Concept Mapping

A structured approach that groups can use to map out organize their ideas on
any is called concept mapping. This can be used by research teams to help them
clarify and map out the key research issues in an area, to help them operationalize
the programs interventions on the outcome measures for their study. The concept
mapping method e only method around that might help researchers formulate good
research problems projects. Some of the methods that might be included in the
toolkit for research formulation might be: brainstorming, brain writing nominal group
techniques, focus groups, etc. (Trochim, 2006).

According to Katsumoto, 2005 (cited in de Belen, 2010) concept mapping is a
general method with which you clarity and describe people's ideas about some topic
in a graphic form. By mapping out concepts in pictorial form you can get a better
understanding of the relationships among them. Concept mapping encourages the
participants rather than on the planner or evaluator

Writing the Research Title

Here are basic questions asked about the research title

• Does the title describe what the study is all about?
• Does the title contain high specificity level?

• Is the title academically phrased and is not verbose
• Is the title within the twelve (12) substantive word requirement of the
American Psychological Association (APA)?

Read the following titles. Do they meet the basic questions asked?

1. Portfolios: A Tool for Reflective Thinking in Teacher Education

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Nursing Research I