Using AND in a database search. The AND function is used in database searches to help narrow and focus your search. The example given by Patten is if you search "learning environments AND dyslexia" the program will identify material that contains both learning environments and dyslexia (Patten pg. 33). Since you used the AND function the search engine will exclude any material that only contains one of the keywords. This is very useful in finding specific material for your research.
Using NOT in a database search. The NOT function also helps narrow down your search in an overloaded database. Patten provides us with an example, searching "advertising NOT television" ensures us that we find articles that contain advertising but excludes television as a medium (Patten pg. 33).
Williamson:
Types of Hypothesis - Operational Hypothesis, Research Hypothesis, Null Hypothesis, Directional Hypothesis and General Hypothesis.
Criteria for good hypotheses:
- be stated in correct terminology
- be as brief and clear as possible
- state an expected relationship between two or more variables
- be testable
- be grounded in past knowledge gained from literature or review (Williamson pg. 57)
Role of theory in research - it informs the research process and helps direct it (Williamson pg. 59). We gain a cumulative approach to research which allows us to build upon our research and make sure there aren't any gaps. The longer the research continues, the more questions are asked which leads to other theories in turn inform the process more thoroughly.
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