02. Report Introductions

Writing an Introduction

• Overview

• Look at the variables being measured/ included in database.

• Describe each variable.

• Research each one and see if there are already known relationships between them.

• If there aren't or if the relationships are vague then you could consider investigating this.

• Research to see if the results of your investigation would be of any use to stakeholders.

• Submit a hypothesis for the investigative question you are proposing.

• Description & Investigative Question

  • Include the word 'relationship'.

  • egs:

    • "This report investigates the relationship between…"

    • " I wonder if there is a relationship between..."

• Source of Data

  • Where is the data from?

  • How reliable is the source?

  • Is it representative?

• Aim / Interest

  • Is the question of interest and value?

  • Who may find it useful & why?

  • Could the results be reasonably extended to the population?

• Variables

  • Defined & Described with units, and state which variable is considered predictor (independent) and which is response (dependent), if applicable.

• Hypothesis

  • Do you think there will be an association and why?

  • … ‘I think that… because

• Background

  • Research findings summarized background context provided with evidence of research.

  • What are the findings of other related research?

Research Question Ideas

(Relating to CORRELATION)

I wonder what the relationship between (variable 1) and (variable 2) is in (population)? Is this relationship different between (groups)?

OR

I wonder what the relationship between (variable 1) and (variable 2) is in (population)? How might this relationship compare between (variable 1) and (variable 3)?

OR

(Relating to REGRESSION)

Can (variable 1) be used as a good predictor for (variable 2)? Or would (variable 3) be a better predictor for (variable 2)?