Empirical Research

While you are still in the beginning stages of the research process, think about whether your literature review will be in the form of a research question or a hypothesis. A hypothesis is used when you have a specific prediction about a relationship between variables and want to test it directly through research, while a research question is used when you are exploring a broader topic and want to identify potential relationships or patterns without a clear prediction beforehand.

A research question should express a relationship between two or more variables, i.e. “how does A affect B?”

• Example: How does lifestyle affect the risk of heart disease in adults aged 50-60?

A hypothesis statement should indicate an expected relationship between variables and it must be testable, i.e. “If A, then B.” 

• Example: Individuals between the ages of 50 and 60 who engage in regular physical activity are less likely to develop heart diseases than those who do not.

After selecting your topic area and reading literature, you may need to narrow it down to something that can be realistically researched and answered within the scope and timeframe of your project.

You can do something as simple as asking yourself who/what/where/when/why questions.