A statement of the researcher's expectations about relationship between the variables under investigation is?

DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Nursing Research & Statistics

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

A hypothesis is defined as a predictive statement about the expected relationship between two or more variables.
It translates a broader research question into a specific, declarative, and testable statement.
This statement serves as a guide for the research design, data collection, and statistical analysis.
The search results confirm that a hypothesis is a researcher's expectation about the variables under investigation.

Option A: A research design is the overall strategy or blueprint for the entire study, including how participants will be selected and how data will be collected and analyzed. It is the plan to test the hypothesis, not the hypothesis itself.
Option C: An objective is a specific, measurable goal that the researcher aims to achieve. It outlines what will be done in the study (e.g., 'to compare the effectiveness...'), but it does not predict the outcome.
Option D: A research question is the central question the study seeks to answer, framed in an interrogative format (e.g., 'What is the relationship between...?'). A hypothesis is a declarative statement that proposes a potential answer to this question.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Hypothesis in Research Methodology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the term 'hypothesis' is fundamental for nurses to engage in evidence-based practice. It allows them to critically appraise research articles and determine the validity of the findings before applying them to patient care.
Nurses participating in clinical research must understand the study's hypothesis to ensure data is collected accurately and the protocol is followed correctly, as the hypothesis dictates the variables of interest.
What if a nurse reads a study that only states a research question but no hypothesis? This is common in qualitative or exploratory descriptive studies, where the goal is to explore a phenomenon rather than test a pre-existing relationship. The absence of a hypothesis signals a different, non-predictive research approach.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the key definitional phrase: 'statement of the researcher's expectations about relationship between the variables'.
Next, evaluate each option against this definition.
Recognize that 'research design' refers to the overall plan, not a specific statement of expectation.
Understand that an 'objective' is a goal, not a prediction about a relationship.
Differentiate between a 'research question' (which asks) and a 'hypothesis' (which states or predicts). The keyword 'statement' in the question stem points directly to a declarative sentence.
Conclude that 'hypothesis' is the only term that fits the definition of a predictive statement about variable relationships.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definition of Hypothesis in Research Methodology
Stem keywords: statement, researcher's expectations, relationship between variables
Lead-in keywords: is

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