What are the good research question ?good research questions need to be specific, so that you mayChoose the appropriate methodsIdentify the required resourcesPlan your work realistically define useful objectives

What are the good research question ?A good research questionRelevant [theoretically or practically significant]Feasible/realistic in terms of research ] researchable] and your academic abilities [suits you]Original { but replications may be needed]InterestingClear/specific and simple

Relevant

The question is of interest to sports medicineQuestion is raised through your reading of the literature or through your practiceFilling a gap in knowledgeAnalyzing assumptions in your practice/trainingMonitoring a development in practiceComparing different approachesTesting theories within a specific population

Feasible/realistic

Are you able to access what you needPeople ( recruitment)StatisticsDocuments from which to collect the data and address the question fully?Can this data be accessed within the limited time and resources you have available to you?

Original

Try to not simply copy questions asked in by othersIt shows your own imagination and your ability to construct and develop research issues.If not wholly original at least substantial: it needs to have sufficient scope to develop into a project.

Interesting This is key !The question needs to be one that interests YOU

AND

Is likely to remain interesting for the duration of the project.

Interesting You need to

Have real, grounded interest in your research question.Be able to explore this and back it up by academic and intellectual debateIt is your interest that will motivate youTo keep workingTo produce good scholarly work

Clear / specific and simple A good research question will be clear specific and simpleThis allows you to define the resourcesNeeds to answer it satisfactorilyClear on the: who, what & why?Clear on the : where, when & how?

Who, what & whyWho (study population)?General: sportsmenSpecific; rugby players aged 20 30 who have had a knee injury within the last 6 monthsWhat (is the intervention)?General: footwearSpecific: provide ergonomically designed footwearWhy (are we trying to do this)?General : to minimize injuriesSpecific : to minimize knee injuries

Where , when & howWhere (within which setting?)General : primary careSpecific : play groundWhen (time frame)?General : rugby seasonSpecific : second month of the rugby seasonHow (can we implement)?General : monitor that players wear the new footware.Specific have an observer observe that players wear the new footwear when the go on to the field to practice or play a game.

Clear / specific and simpleOnce you have a clear question, review it to see if really requires research

The "so what" testWhat is the benefit of answering your research question?Who will it help ( and how)?If you cannot make a definite statement about the purpose of your research, think again.

The structured approachWrite up the project before you start data collectionIntroductionScientific literature reviewFormulate the research question/hypothesis methodsBe specific about all aspects of the researchResultsLeave gaps to be filled in when you have collected the dataThis makes you think about data analysis and presentation

Question Vs Hypothesis

questionWhat is the average height of volleyball players?

Hypothesis

We hypothesise that ankle injuries in football players are caused by bad footwear.A tentative explanation for certain behaviors or events that will occur or have occurred.

hypothesisBased on sound rationaleConsistent with previous researchProvides a reasonable explanationtestable

Types of hypothesisDirectionalStates a relationship between the variablesStudied or difference between experimental conditions/interventions planned.Eg. There is a positive relationship between the number of times ankle injuries occur and the number of defects found in footwear of rugby players"

Types of hypothesisNullState that there is no relationship between the variables studied or difference between experimental conditions/;interventions planned.Eg. "There is no difference between the number of times ankle injuries occur and the number of defects found in footwear of rugby players"

The Structured ApproachWrite up the project before you start data collection!IntroductionScientific literature reviewFormulate the research question/hypothesis MethodsBe specific about all aspects of the researchResultsLeave gaps to be filled in when you have collected the dataThis makes you think about data analysis and presentation

How to begin ?

actionDo lots of reading on your topicNote (computer or elsewhere)anything relevant to your studyMap out the contemporary debates and critiques in the areaAny recent legal or policy changes of significanceAny main practice issues to consider

Action Where ? In what settings will you recruit your population?What access do you have to it?Will there be ethical issues? [ Think of an Ethical Review Application].How might you be able to negotiate access?What obstacles are there?Do you need funding?

ActionAre there sources of secondary data that you could access?Are there possibilities for documentary analysis?Can you access these?

ActionAny skills and knowledge?Do you like interviewing?Will you be able to get interviews transcribed?Are you keen to do surveys?Are you keen to measurements?Are you interested in lab work?

Action

What sort of time frame are you going to need to do the sort of research you are planning?How much time have you got?Are your plans unrealistic?

Don't forgetStart with a problem that uses your current knowledge and matches your interests.You can learn research methods, data analysis, writing, and presenting skills as you choose to expand your abilities [ the emphasis is on research training].Most importantly, find a person who can guide your interests and support your work. [You MUST NOT work on your own] Find a mentor!