17-Dec-20

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS Lecture 8

HYPOTHESIS

A hypothesis is a researcher’s prediction of the research

findings, a statement of the researcher’s expectations about
the relations among the variables in the research topic.

Hypothesis is a tentative prediction or explanation of the

relationship between two variables.

A hypothesis is a formal tentative statement of the expected

relationship between two or more variables under study.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
HYPOTHESIS
A good hypothesis is based on sound reasoning that
is consistent with theory or previous research.

A good hypothesis provides a reasonable

explanation for the predicted outcome.

A good hypothesis clearly states the expected

relation or difference between defined variables.

A good hypothesis is testable within a reasonable

time frame.

SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS

Following are the sources of hypothesis:

1. The resemblance between the phenomenon.
2. Observations from past studies, present-day
experiences and from the competitors.
3. Scientific theories.
4. General patterns that influence the thinking process of
people.

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It gives the direction to the

research.

It specifies the focus of the

researcher.

IMPORTANCE
It helps in developing research
OF techniques.
HYPOTHESIS
It ensure accuracy and
precision.

It saves resources time, money

and energy.

THE FUNCTIONS OF A HYPOTHESIS

The formulation of a hypothesis provides a study with focus. It tells
you what specific aspects of a research problem to investigate.

A hypothesis tells you what data to collect and what not to collect,
thereby providing focus to the study.

As it provides a focus, the construction of a hypothesis enhances

objectivity in a study.

A hypothesis may enable you to add to the formulation of theory. It

enables you to conclude specifically what is true or what is false.

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TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS

The Research Hypothesis could be understood in terms of

Simple Research hypothesis and Complex Research
Hypothesis.
A simple research hypothesis predicts the relationship
between a single independent variable and a single
dependent variable.
A complex hypothesis predicts the relationship between
two or more independent variables and two or more
dependent variables.

TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
Research Hypothesis are classified as being directional or non-
directional.
Directional Hypotheses:
These are usually derived from theory. They may imply that the
researcher is logically devoted to a particular outcome. They specify
the expected direction of the relationship between variables i.e., the
researcher predicts not only the existence of a relationship but also its
nature.
Non-directional Hypotheses:
Used when there is little or no theory, or when findings of previous
studies are contradictory. They may imply impartiality. Do not specify
the direction of the relationship.

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TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS

Associative Hypotheses:
Propose relationships between variables when one
variable changes, the other changes. Do not specify cause
and effect.
Causal Hypothesis:
Propose a cause-and-effect interaction between two or
more variables. The independent variable is manipulated
to cause effect on the dependent variable. The dependent
variable is measured to examine the effect created by the
independent variable.

DESCRIPTIVE & INFERENTIAL STATISTICS

Descriptive statistics uses the data to provide

descriptions of the population, either through
numerical calculations or graphs or tables.

Inferential statistics makes implications and

predictions about a population based on a sample
of data taken from the population in question.

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TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
Statistical Hypothesis

To test whether the data support or refuse the research hypothesis, it needs to be
translated into a statistical hypothesis.
In the context of inferential statistics, it is statement about one or more parameters
that are measures of the population under study.

Inferential statistics is used for drawing conclusions about population values.

To use inferential statistics, we need to translate the research hypothesis into a

testable form, which is called the null hypothesis.
A testable hypothesis contains variables that are measurable or able to be
manipulated.
They need to predict a relationship that can be 'supported' or 'not supported'
based on data collection and analysis.

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TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS

Null Hypothesis:
When you construct a hypothesis stipulating that there is
no difference between two situations, groups, outcomes, or
the prevalence of a condition or phenomenon, this is called
a null hypothesis and is usually written as H0.
A null hypothesis states that there is no significant relation
or difference between variables.
Null hypotheses can be:
1. simple or complex
2. associative or causal

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TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS

Alternate Hypotheses:
The alternate hypothesis, which is the opposite of the null,
is a statement expressing a relationship between two
variables or indicating differences between groups.
If the working hypothesis is proved wrong or rejected,
another hypothesis (to replace the working hypothesis) is
formulated to be tested to generate the desired results.
Alternative hypothesis is denoted by H1 or Ha.

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HYPOTHESIS TESTING
Hypothesis testing or significance testing is a method for testing a
claim or hypothesis about a parameter in a population, using data
measured in a sample.
In this method, we test some hypothesis by determining the probability
that a sample statistic could have been selected, if the hypothesis
regarding the population parameter were true.
Hypothesis testing is an act in statistics whereby an analyst tests an
assumption regarding a population parameter. The methodology
employed by the analyst depends on the nature of the data used and
the reason for the analysis. Hypothesis testing is used to assess the
plausibility of a hypothesis by using sample data.

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STATING THE HYPOTHESIS

After developing your initial research hypothesis, it is

important to restate it as a null (Ho) and alternate (Ha)
hypothesis so that you can test it mathematically.
The alternate hypothesis is usually predicting a
relationship between variables. The null hypothesis is a
prediction of no relationship between the variables you
are interested in.

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STATING THE HYPOTHESIS

Example:
You want to test whether there is a relationship between
gender and height. Based on your knowledge of human
physiology, you formulate a hypothesis that men are, on
average, taller than women. To test this hypothesis, you
restate it as:

Ho: Men are, on average, not taller than women.

Ha: Men are, on average, taller than women.

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STATING THE HYPOTHESIS

A good hypothesis is stated clearly and concisely, expresses
the relation or difference between variables, and define these
variables by measuring terms.
 One is that hypothesis bas the researcher in favor of certain
conclusion or retain the hypothesis.
 Another is that in his search of the stating hypothesis the researcher
may direct other possibly valuable hypothesis.
 The directional hypothesis needs some theoretical rational but, in
some situations, there is very little background information about
them.
 The research may decide to defer any hypothesis or theories until
he has some empirical evidence upon which is to base them.
 These should be concerned with a situation in which it can be
experienced.

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ANY QUESTIONS???

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