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Topic question

Topic question, hypothesis, research questions, purpose, theme

There are many terms in play, so here is a short overview of what they may signify. The different terms can be used in numerous ways, however, so it can be wise to ask to make sure that you interpret them in accordance with their use in your field of study.

Topic

The topic is the broadest possible description of your thesis; the large picture of what you are about to examine. The topic can also be the title of your text.

Examples of a topic

Examples of a topic

  • Pain relief medication and patient safety in pre-hospital services  
  • Total climate impact of load bearing elements in tall, wooden houses

Problemstilling og hensikt

Topic question 

Many people use the terms ‘topic question’ and ‘research question’ interchangeably. Some use topic question as an umbrella term for everything the thesis contains: an overview of the issues addressed, the people being mentioned, context, consequences, and your own suggested solution (if you have one). In these instances, the topic question is better phrased as a paragraph rather than a precise research question, and it is often natural that this paragraph closes the background chapter. If you are having doubts about how to interpret the term, ask your subject teacher or look for clues in the assignment text.

Purpose 

When formulating a purpose, you are explaining what the goal of your thesis is. It is a tightening of the topic question, but not necessarily a precise question.

Examples of a purpose

Examples of a purpose

  • The purpose of this thesis to examine what type of pain relief medication is most used in ambulances that operate without qualified anaesthesia personnel onboard, and how the patient safety is ensured.
  • The purpose of this thesis is to make a complete analysis (LCA) of the load bearing elements in tall, wooden house throughout their years in use. The analysis will contribute to a broader understanding of the total climate impact of such houses and identify which parts of the process contributes most to the impact.

Hypothesis 

Hypothesis

A hypothesis is an assertion of how something is or functions which one tries to prove or disprove. It is important to remember that results that disproves a hypothesis can be just as valid and relevant as results that prove a hypothesis.

Examples of a hypothesis

Examples of a hypothesis

  • Ambulance personnel that have fewer pain relief medications to choose from, receive more training in the use of particular medications, which in turn reduces the chances of administering the wrong medication.
  • Glued wood is more sustainable than concrete as a load bearing material in tall, wooden houses.

Research question 

Research question 

The research question is often the smallest part of the topic question. The research question’s aim is to operationalize what you have already stated in the topic question and the purpose, and is commonly phrased as a question.

The research question often considers 

  • What the issue is/who it impacts the most
  • What you want to do with it or what you want to explore 
  • What you are hoping to achieve, or what result you are especially concerned with

Examples of a research question

Examples of a research question 

  • What type of pain relief medication is most commonly administered to children below the age of 5 in pre-hospital situations, and how does the ambulance personnel experience that the patient safety is being ensured during transfers to the hospital’s emergency ward?
  • What is the total climate impact of the load bearing glued wood elements in Mjøstårnet, and what part of the production contributes most to the total impact? 

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