DEVELOPING AND USING RESEARCH SKILLS

Developing and Using Research Skills

[Name of Student]

Developing and Using Research Skills

Assessment 1

Experimental Hypothesis

The experiment to be conducted in this section will aim to enlighten the effects of alcohol on person's ability to drive a car. The objective of this experiment is to highlight whether alcohol adversely affects an individual's ability to drive a car competently. In order to extract the results from the study sample and present them in an adequate manner, development of hypothesis is mandatory. The experimental hypothesis constructed for this study is enlightened below.

H1: Alcohol significantly affects an individual's ability to drive a car competently.

Null Hypothesis

It is mandatory to formulate a null hypothesis prior to conduct an experimental study. The null hypothesis accompanies the experimental hypothesis; hence, if the results of the experiment cannot validate the experimental hypothesis then the null hypothesis will be accepted. The null hypothesis for this experimental study is prescribed below.

Ho: Alcohol does not affect an individual's ability to drive a car competently.

Aim of the Experiment

The aim of this experiment is to explore whether alcohol intake affects an individual's driving ability. This experimental study strives to extract valid results and proofs from the sample of experimental study in order to validate the alternate hypothesis constructed. The formulation of hypothesis in this study is assisted by several previously conducted studies; however, in order to validate the hypothesis effective results must be extracted from sample so that results obtained can be generalized to enhance their practicability (Zalanga, 2011, 55-64).

Data / Information Sources

There are several information or data collection sources from which effective data can be obtained in order to assist the execution of experimental study. This information acquired from diverse sources not only assists the process of null and alternate hypothesis formulation but also facilitate the researcher to explore the significance and importance of the study. The data collection sources to be used for the purpose of information extraction are enlightened below.

Printed Information

Oral Information

Electronic Information

Published books

Published journals

Periodicals

Literature of previously conducted research studies

Interviews from researchers

Interviews from sample size

Generic interviews

Focus group

Web-based sources

Online surveys

Electronic books

Electronically available peer reviewed journals

Validity and Reliability of Information

There are various methods through which the validity and reliability of the information can be checked. Nonetheless, each approach of checking validity and reliability of the data varies with the source from which the information has been extracted. The methods used to access valid and reliable information from different data collection sources are enlightened below.

Printed Information

Oral Information

Electronic Information

Reputation of the author

Sources prescribed for each evidence stated

Notes from which information has been extracted

Carefully designing and selection of data collection instrument

Adequately selected sample

Sample size

Appropriate questions asked

Implication of statistical 'test of reliability'

Appropriate use of keywords

Presence of extensive bibliography at the end of electronically accessed information

Appropriate citation

Sources prescribed for each evidence and statistical data

Introduction to the Experiment

There are several studies previously conducted that strived to explore the influence of alcohol intake on an individual's ability to drive adequately. Most of these research studies concluded that alcohol intake minimizes an individual's ability to drive effectively and exaggerates ...