Writing: High-Level Synthesis & Critique C2
Formulating a Research Question and Hypothesis
Listen to key concepts for C2 research.
Before You Start: C2 Core Concepts 🧠
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
These terms are the foundation of all academic and professional research.
What is a C2-Level Research Question?
A C2 research question is not a simple topic. It is specific, arguable, and complex. We use the FINER criteria to test its quality.
WEAK Question (B1/B2 Level)
"Is social media bad for teenagers?"
(This is too broad. What is "bad"? Which social media? Which teenagers?)
FINER Question (C1/C2 Level)
"What is the correlation between daily time spent on Instagram (1+ hours) and self-reported anxiety levels in female students aged 18-22 in Phnom Penh?"
The FINER Criteria for a Good Research Question
From Question to Hypothesis (H1 vs. H0)
Your Research Question (RQ) is the *problem*. Your Hypothesis (H1) is your *predicted answer*. To be scientific, you must also state the Null Hypothesis (H0), which is the *opposite* of your prediction.
Example: From Topic to Hypothesis
Broad Topic: Tourism in Cambodia.
Narrowed Topic: The economic impact of eco-tourism in Mondulkiri.
Research Question (RQ): "Does the presence of community-based eco-tourism lodges correlate with an increase in average household income in rural Mondulkiri villages?"
Hypothesis (H1): "The presence of community-based eco-tourism lodges is positively correlated with a significant increase in average household income in rural Mondulkiri villages."
Null Hypothesis (H0): "The presence of community-based eco-tourism lodges has no correlation with average household income in rural Mondulkiri villages."
Your goal as a researcher is to find evidence to reject the Null Hypothesis (H0). If you can prove H0 is wrong, your hypothesis (H1) is supported.
Practice Your C2 Analysis 🎯
Quiz: Identify the Best Research Component
Read the scenarios and choose the best answer. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. Which of these is a C2-level, "FINER" Research Question (not a topic)?
2. Read the following statement. What is it?
"It is predicted that students who complete the online module will score at least 15% higher on the post-test than students who only read the textbook."
3. What is the correct Null Hypothesis (H0) for this Hypothesis (H1)?
H1: "Daily meditation decreases blood pressure in adults over 50."
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Research Question (RQ)
The main, guiding question that your entire paper or project seeks to answer.
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Hypothesis (H1)
A clear, specific, and testable prediction about what you expect the answer will be.
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Null Hypothesis (H0)
The default position that there is no relationship or no difference.
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Falsifiable
The ability for a statement to be tested and proven false. A good hypothesis must be falsifiable.
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Correlation
A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things (Note: correlation does not equal causation).
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Variable
An element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change.
Your Writing Mission ⭐
Formulate Your Own Research
Your mission is to move from a simple topic to a full, C2-level research framework.
- Choose a broad topic you are an expert in (e.g., your job, your industry, your university major).
- Formulate one C2 Research Question (RQ) based on the FINER criteria (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant). Write it down.
- Write your testable Hypothesis (H1) that directly answers the RQ.
- Write the corresponding Null Hypothesis (H0) for your H1.
Example:
- Topic: Teaching English in Cambodia.
- RQ: "What is the impact of gamified vocabulary apps on long-term word retention in 10th-grade Cambodian students compared to traditional list memorization?"
- H1: "Students using gamified apps will show a 25% higher rate of long-term word retention."
- H0: "There is no significant difference in long-term word retention between the two methods."