Introduction Development Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is for you to take a specific (conceptual) hypothesis and to work on expressing each step in the line of logic that supports your hypothesis. For many students, the reasoning behind their hypothesis may seem blatantly obvious. Unfortunately, a research paper cannot appeal to obviousness, and you must "defend" your hypothesis in the Introduction of your paper. You must create a logical progression that is grounded in past research and create an argument, based on past research findings, which supports the hypothesis. Students in the past have found this Introduction Development assignment to be difficult, but extremely helpful.  If you haven't already, be sure to skim over the directions for the Final Paper, especially the information about the Introduction,  so that you have an idea of what it is that you are developing. I would like for you to consider your hypothesis, and then provide the information requested below. 

If you have any trouble at all, I strongly suggest that you work with me and/or a writing tutor at the Writing Center in completing this assignment. It is a difficult assignment and an important step toward your final paper.  If you do go see a tutor of some sort, be sure to take a copy of this assignment with you.

The three hypotheses hypothesis that our survey project proposes are as follows: 1) PCOIS will be positively correlated to life satisfaction; 2) PCOIS will be negatively correlated to perceived stress; and 3) perceived stress will be negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Note that a hypothesis is different from, and more specific than a research question. A hypothesis is a prediction, thus it should be a statement of what will happen, rather than a question. More importantly, a hypothesis is specific and testable.  Thus, I should be able to read a hypothesis and point to 2 or more specific variables measured in the project. A hypothesis also specifies the nature/direction of the relationship you expect (e.g., if you are suggesting two variables are related - in what way are they related? Do you expect a positive or negative correlation?).  

Step 1

Consider our first hypothesis. In everyday language, explain why that hypothesis makes sense. The purpose of this section is just so that I have a chance to make sure I'm clear on what your thinking is.  Type your reasoning under the heading "Step 1."  This reasoning should directly and logically link perceived control to life satisfaction. That is, why would perceived greater control of your internal states lead to greater satisfaction with one's life?

Step 2

Write out approximately 5 numbered statements, each of which clearly and fully expresses a separate and distinct step of logic or piece of information that supports our first hypothesis. What are all the things that have to be supported in order for the hypothesis to be supported? This is not merely a list; rather, each statement should lead to the next. Think of it like a geometry proof where you begin with one variable, and create a series of logical statements leading to the other variable. What is the logic that leads you from one variable to the next? The findings of the previous researchers will probably be parts of this line of logic. Number your sentences and type them (double spaced) under the heading "Step 2."

For example, let’s say I am doing a project where I hypothesize that self-esteem will be positively correlated to verbal aggression in adolescent girls. In order to defend my hypothesis, my Introduction will have to provide research evidence on each of the following points:

  1. low self-esteem is defined as a negative evaluation of the self; negative evaluations of the self  may make these girls want to hurt themselves;
  2. wanting to hurt yourself is a scary/threatening thought; 
  3. threatening thoughts (according to psychodynamic theory) are something the self defends against; 
  4. one defense mechanism is "displacement" - defined as switching the target of unacceptable impulses.
  5. in this case, one way to switch the target of self-hatred would be to verbally aggress toward other people instead of "aggressing" against yourself.

    Thus, low self-esteem will lead to verbal aggression in adolescent girls.

Notice I started with self-esteem and traced a path to verbal aggression.  (Yes, this is very difficult! )

Step 3

Repeat Step 2 to create a line of logic for the predicted perceived control & stress correlation.

Step 4

Repeat Step 2 to create a line of logic for the stress & life satisfaction correlation.

Step 5

Write 4 brief paragraphs, each summarizing the relevant points from one of the 4 journal articles we read. In particular, you should be looking for research evidence for each of your steps of logic. In choosing what to include in your summary, think about what the reader needs to know from the past research to understand each of the three hypothesis. For example, knowing how many participants were in the study or knowing the proper names of the measures that were used are often irrelevant. Knowing whether the study was an experiment or a survey may or may not be relevant. Choose the details you include carefully. Cite the sources in the text of your paragraphs properly according to the guidelines linked here.  For now, just write separate paragraphs - no need to link them or create transition sentences, etc. 

When you are finished - turn in the assignment.

NOTE:  You now have, in some sense, a working outline for at least part of your Introduction, although your final Introduction section is likely to deviate from this strict list of steps. Hopefully this assignment has helped you envision how you will incorporate the findings from our readings into the explanation of the novel hypothesis. Remember, this paper is a tutorial on APA-style and mastering the framework of a good Introduction, Method, Results and Discussion.  Thus, I will be more lenient about the actual research discussed in the paper. For example, I will accept secondary citations (i.e., citations from sources you haven't read but that are described in the articles I provided to you) and I will not insist you find a journal article for every single point you are making in the paper (i.e., you only have to use the articles I provided to you).  However, you should be aware that you WILL need solid and complete support for your Independent Group Project, and most other classes you encounter in Psychology will frown upon secondary citations and insist upon research evidence for every claim your paper makes.