Step Four: State the Research Question = 2 points Based on the defined problem and the literature review - clearly state the research question that you are working to address/answer.

Resource on how to create a hypothesis:

Formulate a Hypothesis

Ahypothesisis an assumption about how two or more variables are related; it makes a conjectural statement about the relationship between those variables. In sociology, the hypothesis will often predict how one form of human behavior influences another. In research,independent variablesare thecauseof the change. Thedependent variableis theeffect, or thing that is changed.

For example, in a basic study, the researcher would establish one form of human behavior as the independent variable and observe the influence it has on a dependent variable. How does gender (the independent variable) affect rate of income (the dependent variable)? How does one's religion (the independent variable) affect family size (the dependent variable)? How is social class (the dependent variable) affected by level of education (the independent variable)?

Hypothesis	Independent Variable	Dependent Variable
The greater the availability of affordable housing, the lower the homeless rate.	Affordable Housing	Homeless Rate
The greater the availability of math tutoring, the higher the math grades.	Math Tutoring	Math Grades
The greater the police patrol presence, the safer the neighborhood.	Police Patrol Presence	Safer Neighborhood
The greater the factory lighting, the higher the productivity.	Factory Lighting	Productivity
The greater the amount of observation, the higher the public awareness.	Observation	Public Awareness

Table2.1 Examples of Dependent and Independent VariablesTypically, the independent variable causes the dependent variable to change in some way.

Griffiths, Heather & Keirns, Nathan. 2015. Introduction to Sociology 2e. Houston, Texas. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-sociology

Hypotheses need to be STATEMENTS. Here are some incorrect hypotheses from past terms: they tend to buy from companies with diversity in their advertisements. [you will note in this hypothesis that the independent variable is not clearly defined. The other issue with this hypothesis is that we are not asking people about their habits, but whether or not they agree with our hypothesis]. Here is another one: growing up in poverty as a child has some effects as an adult. [again, not clearly defined, what is the independent and dependent variables in this statement?]

Here are some correct hypotheses from past terms: LGBTQ+ people experience more discrimination or mistreatment in the workplace. [note there is an independent variable: LGBTQ+ population and a dependent variable: treatment in the workplace. Here is another: transgender athletes should be able to participate in sports as the gender they identify. [note the independent variable is transgender athletes and the dependent variable is participation in sports.]