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Defining a Statistical Problem in Research: A Comprehensive Guide

This resource outlines essential steps in defining a statistical problem for investigation, emphasizing the importance of selecting a testable topic with accessible data. It guides students to explore current events, social issues, and trends while distinguishing between qualitative and quantitative variables. Key research terms, including independent and dependent variables, are defined, alongside types of data. The document stresses the need for clear hypotheses, project objectives, and compliance with data protection regulations. Perfect for researchers aiming to lay a solid foundation in statistical analysis.

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Defining a Statistical Problem in Research: A Comprehensive Guide

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  1. OCR Nationals Level 3 Unit 3 – Problem Solving A01 Define a statistical problem to be investigated D.Garey

  2. Defining the Problem • Needs to be something that you can easily test (think in terms of access to participants and data) • Have a look at current events for inspiration or…. D.Garey

  3. Miss Garey’s Inspirations • Social issues • Moral trends • Usage of ICT across generations • Opinions regarding current affairs • What ICT is used for • Media, TV and music • Health topics • Careers and the future D.Garey

  4. Defining the Problem (2) • After deciding on a topic, theme or area you must research the field before posing a question to investigate • Start broad and general and then focus down to the specifics • Reference anything you use • Your opinion doesn’t count! • Explore both sides to any argument D.Garey

  5. Some Research Terms • Variable –characteristic/property of person, object or situation • Quantitative Variable –measurable i.e. height, weight, IQ • Qualitative Variable –categories such as sex, nationality, blood type • Independent variable (IV) –what is being manipulated by the experimenter • Dependent variable (DV) –what is being measured during the experiment, supposedly influenced by the IV D.Garey

  6. More Research Terms • Extraneous Variable –outside scope of control that could influence outcomes • Correlation –exploring affect of 2 variables in a statistical test DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION! • Between subjects factors –participant is tested under only 1 condition • Within Subjects –same participants perform under both conditions (also termed repeated measures) D.Garey

  7. Hypotheses • By now you should have decided what you want to investigate • You need to make SPECIFIC predictions about what the outcome of your investigation will be • It has to be testable by the gathering of data • Directive Hypotheses (one tailed) state what the outcome with be • Two Tailed Hypotheses state 2 alternative outcomes (either, or) D.Garey

  8. Defining the Problem Continued… • You now need to identify your project objectives and set your own success criteria • Show awareness of the Data Protection Act when it comes to collecting, storing and reporting data D.Garey

  9. Types of Data • 1) interval data –measurements on independent scale with units • 2) ordinal data –ranks/sequencing of information • 3)nominal/categorical data –qualitative categories D.Garey

  10. All investigations are either… • Quantitative –measurable statistically, countable, i.e. closed question surveys, multiple choice, test conditions, empirical, scientific • Qualitative –observation notes, open questioning, discourse analysis, transcript analysis D.Garey

  11. To complete A01… • You must cover all of these points: • identify the problem • • explain background to the problem • • set a hypothesis e.g. ‘Young people with Internet access at home do better at school’ • • identify project objectives and success criteria • • identify data to be collected and the method(s) of processing • • demonstrate an awareness of the Data Protection Act 1998 D.Garey

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