Attention Control

Post a critique of the research study in which you:

• Evaluate the research questions and hypotheses using the Research Questions and Hypotheses Checklist as a guide
• Identify the type of quantitative research design used and explain how the researchers implemented the design
• Analyze alignment among the theory, problem, purpose, research questions and hypotheses, and design.

This is the checklist that should be used as a guideline.

Research Questions and Hypotheses Checklist

Use the following criteria to evaluate an author’s research questions and/or hypotheses.

Look for indications of the following:

 

• Is the research question(s) a logical extension of the purpose of the study?
• Does the research question(s) reflect the best question to address the problem?
• Does the research question(s) align with the design of the study?
• Does the research question(s) align with the method identified for collecting data?

 

If the study is qualitative, does the research question(s) do as follows?

 

• Relate the central question to the qualitative approach

 

• Begin with What or How (not Why)

 

• Focus on a single phenomenon
• Use exploratory verbs
• Use nondirectional language
• Use an open-ended format
• Specify the participants and research site

 

If the study is quantitative:

 

• Do the descriptive questions seek to describe responses to major variables?
• Do the inferential questions seek to compare groups or relate variables?
• Do the inferential questions follow from a theory?
• Are the variables positioned consistently from independent/predictor to dependent/outcome in the inferential questions?
• Is a null and/or alternative hypothesis provided as a predictive statement?

 

Research Theory, Design, and Methods Walden University

© 2016 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 2 of 2

 

• Is the hypothesis consistent with its respective research question?
• Does the question(s) and/or hypothesis specify the participants and research site?

 

If the study is mixed methods, do the research questions and/or hypotheses do the following?

 

• Include the characteristics of a good qualitative research question (as listed above)
• Include the characteristics of a good quantitative research and/or hypothesis (as listed above)
• Indicate how the researcher will mix or integrate the two approaches of the study
• Specify the participants and research site
• Convey the overall intent of the study that calls for a mixed methods approach

 

Morillas-Romero, A., Tortella-Feliu, M., Balle, M., & Bornas, X. (2015). Spontaneous emotion regulation and attentional control. Emotion, 15(2), 162–175. doi:10.1037/emo0000016