Introduction Development Assignment

(adapted courtesy of Dr. Sciutto)

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. 

I would like for you to consider a hypothesis related to your group project, and then provide the information requested below.  Keep in mind that you will likely test this hypothesis in your group project (of course, things may change as get further in the project).

If you have any trouble at all, I strongly suggest that you work with me in completing this assignment. It is a difficult assignment and an important step toward understanding how to construct an introduction section.  If you consult a tutor, be sure to take a copy of this assignment with you.

Step 1

Generate a hypothesis and type it out for me.  Note that the 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 your hypothesis and point to 2 or more specific variables that you are measuring in your study.  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 2

In everyday language, explain why you think your hypothesis would be the case. 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 2."

For example, let’s say I am doing a project where I hypothesize that self-esteem will be negatively correlated to verbal aggression in adolescent girls. Freud proposed "displacement" as a defense mechanism, and these girls might be displacing their extreme feelings of  unworthiness.  That is, girls with low self-esteem might unconsciously re-direct the bad feelings about themselves to other people.

Step 3

Write out approximately 5 numbered statements, each of which clearly and fully expresses a separate and distinct step of logic/piece of information that supports your hypothesis. What are all the things that have to be supported in order for your hypothesis to be justified? 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? Another way of thinking about this is to consider it like telling a story. What plot lines are essential to understanding the ending of the story (that is, your hypothesis)?  Number your sentences and type them (double spaced) under the heading "Step 3."  Typically, these statements ---just like an introduction section-- will start broader and narrow as you progress.

 For example:  In order to defend my hypothesis above, 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;
2. negative evaluations of the self  may make these girls want to hurt themselves;
3. wanting to hurt yourself is a scary/threatening thought;
4. threatening thoughts (according to psychodynamic theory) are something the self defends against;
5. one defense mechanism is "displacement" - defined as switching the target of unacceptable impulses.
6. 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, my hypothesis is 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! )

Depending on the complexity of your hypothesis, you may want to create more than one grouping of statements (e.g., I may want to create one grouping that starts by defining one variable and leads to some particular conclusion; then create a second grouping starting with the definition of another variable leading to a conclusion; then create a third grouping that logically links the 2 conclusions).

Bring a copy of your completed assignment to class.

In-class Follow-up Activity (to be completed in your groups during class time)

The introduction development assignment is designed to help you focus on the most important information needed in your paper's Introduction. When you write your paper, you will need to provide evidence for each of the claims you made in the numbered statements. You will need to consult the sources you have already accumulated for your project and (probably) search for additional sources. 

We will first do a peer review exercise with your individual assignments. Next, in your groups, decide on the best set of numbered statements for your hypothesis (this will likely be some combination of and revision of each group members' individual steps of logic).  For each statement, discuss what evidence you already have to explain or justify the claim.  Make a note of that evidence; that is, write down the source(s).  If you don't have any sources relevant to a step, indicate that the step “Needs Evidence ”. 

Evaluate the evidence you do have.  For each step of logic, try to find the best evidence you can.  Look for straightfoward discussions of your concepts, and studies focus on the variable of interest (rather than include it peripherally). If the source you already have seems to provide only weak or tangential support, indicate that the claim "Needs better Evidence."

Look at the completed work. You should now have a clear sense of which of the sources you have are most relevant, and ideas for additional literature searches on PsycINFO.

Submit a copy of the revised Intro Development to Moodle (one per group).