There are two types of observations; systematic and unsystematic. Systematic observations are always organized, while unsystematic observations need refining process before they can be applied in research since they are unstructured. A theory on the other hand consists of a collection of assumptions of reasons that would result in creation of the rules of the way the reasons are acted upon (Maxwell, 2005). Theories are useful in coming up with research questions through the act of predictions that is based on the alternate theories or reasons leading to the same results observed (Maxwell, 2005).
Concerning the applied issues, they refer to research building the fundamental knowledge toward a particular known problem. The roles of the above listed categories are to help individuals address a research question. At the same time, the categories help in providing a cognitive process on the way questions are generated. Consequently, the few questions likely to be generated by the categories, which are also related to addiction, would be: Does alcohol abuse have a correlation with other substance abuse disorders, which DSM-IV-TR has diagnosed? Is alcohol abuse socially learned or genetically inherited in the family dynamic with preexisting AUD (Maxwell, 2005).
The questions are in the position of testing the question since they have the required empirical basis, while they are also answerable. The operational terms that are hardly translatable or open to interpretation are used in these questions. From the questions, something capable of enhancing the knowledge on the field and hence important to the subject can be obtained.
A good research question is determinable by conducting a study and a research into the question. The contribution of the question to the field can be determined in a good research question. At the same time, the determination of the possibility of conducting an extensive research with the question can be established. A testable hypothesis should also be generated by use of identified variables. Consequently, the hypothesis should come from the conducted research during the generation of research question (Maxwell, 2005).
Reference
Maxwell, J.A. (2005).Qualitative research design: an interactive approach. New York, NY: SAGE.
