According to Toledo, Flikkema & Toledo-Pereyra (2011).The research question is the one that defines the problem that the researcher wants to solve through the research process; the researcher analyzes and studies this question, formulated in a way that helps the researcher determine the research objectives and reach results that work to solve this question. On the other hand, there is the research hypothesis, which is the idea that can be confirmed or denied by the researcher after collecting evidence and data. This idea can be reached through research literature or similar studies on the same topic.
Factors for formulating the research question:
The first step is defining the topic of interest, which must be related to the researcher him/herself so that he can master its subjects and their exact details. After that, the gap must be found that the researcher acknowledges that it was not well discovered by his/her research; another factor is the presence and availability of literature to support the answer to the research question. Finally, the answer to the research question must have feasibility and can benefit from it. (Cherry, 2020).
Factors for formulating the research hypothesis:
The most important feature distinguishing the research hypothesis is the ability to measure and test it. Data can be collected to support or refute it in various ways, whether by quantitative or descriptive methods, and this hypothesis must be closely related to references and previous literature so that the relationship between the different variables around that hypothesis can be deduced; otherwise, it will be a hypothesis that has no scientific basis (Toledo, Flikkema, & Toledo-Pereyra, 2011).
My research question and hypothesis:
Since I work in construction, the subject of interest is (Reducing pollution in construction sites and the accompanying social responsibility to ensure sustainability). According to Wu, Z., Zhang, X., & Wu, M. (2016), the research question can be formulated through the following:
- Research Gap: a research gap related to a specific type of pollution on construction work sites can be identified. For example, are there gaps in knowledge regarding specific types of pollutants produced, or which construction activities generate the most pollution?
- Testability: the hypothesis must be testable through empirical research. We can collect air and soil samples from various construction work sites and analyze them to determine the types and concentrations of pollutants present.
- Relevance: the research question and the hypothesis must be relevant to the field of study and contribute to current knowledge about pollution at construction worksites.
- Feasibility: ensuring that the research question and hypothesis are feasible is essential. This means that we need to consider issues such as access to construction sites, availability of sampling equipment, and any ethical considerations that need to be addressed when conducting our research.
- Literature review: a literature review can help you determine current knowledge about pollution on construction work sites and identify gaps that your research can address.
Conclusion
When formulating the research question and the hypothesis associated with it, the clarity of the question and the hypothesis must be considered, the researched topic must be essential and worthy of study, and it must be of scientific and practical interest. The hypothesis must be linked to previous references and previous studies in the field to be researched. The validity of the hypothesis and the possibility of proving or denying it must be confirmed by evidence and data (Bang et al. 2012). Researchers must adhere to the approved scientific methodology in research design, data collection, and analysis. Also, the main objectives of the research and the desired results must be identified to ensure that the main objective of the research is achieved (Finley & Aurand, 2019).
References
Bang, A. L., Krogh, P., Ludvigsen, M., & Markussen, T. (2012). The role of hypothesis in constructive design research.
In Proceedings of the Art of Research IV.
Cherry, K. (2020). Forming a Good Hypothesis for Scientific Research. Verywell mind. Retrieved from
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-hypothesis-2795239
Finley, W., & Aurand, T. W. (2019). The Business School Undergraduate: An Explorative Study of Exposure to Writing and
Secondary Research Terminology. Journal of Higher Education Theory & Practice, 19(4), 121–128. Retrieved from EBSCO multi-search
Toledo, A. H., Flikkema, R., & Toledo-Pereyra, L. H. (2011). Developing the research hypothesis. Journal of Investigative
Surgery, 24(5), 191-194.
Wu, Z., Zhang, X., & Wu, M. (2016). Mitigating construction dust pollution: State of the art and the way
Forward. Journal of cleaner production, 112, 1658-1666.