EXPLORING

THE
RESEARCH
HYPOTHESES
PRESENTATION
COMPONENTS
• Meaning of Hypothesis
• Definitions of Hypothesis
• Nature of Hypothesis
• Functions of Hypothesis
• Importance of Hypothesis
• Kinds of Hypothesis
• Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis
• Variables in a Hypothesis
• Formulating a Hypothesis
• Testing the Hypothesis
 MEANING OF HYPOTHESIS

• A hypothesis is a tentative explanation or prediction that is

based on existing knowledge, observations, or assumptions. It
is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon or a relationship
between variables that can be tested through scientific
investigation. Hypotheses serve as a starting point for research
and are subject to empirical testing and validation.
 MEANING OF HYPOTHESIS

• References play a crucial role in the formulation of

hypotheses. They provide the foundation of existing
knowledge and support the development of hypotheses by
presenting previous research, theories, or established
principles. References can include scholarly articles, books,
research papers, or any reliable sources that contribute to the
understanding of the research topic.
 MEANING OF HYPOTHESIS

• By referencing relevant sources, researchers can ensure

that their hypotheses are well-informed and grounded in
existing scientific knowledge. This not only strengthens
the credibility of the hypothesis but also allows for
building upon previous work and contributing to the
overall body of knowledge in the field.
 DEFINITIONS OF
HYPOTHESIS
1. A hypothesis is "a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in a study" (APA
Dictionary of Psychology, 2021).

2. A hypothesis is "a proposed explanation or prediction about a phenomenon or relationship between

variables, often based on limited evidence or preliminary observations, that is used as a starting point
for further investigation" (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).

3. A hypothesis is "a statement that suggests a possible explanation for an observed phenomenon or a
prediction of the outcome of a study" (McBurney & White, 2017, p. 19).

4. According to Trochim and Donnelly (2008), a hypothesis is "a tentative answer to a research question,
an explanation for some observed phenomenon, or a prediction about a relationship between variables"
(p. 10).
 NATURE OF HYPOTHESIS

• The nature of a hypothesis can be described as follows:

1) Tentative Explanation: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or tentative answer to a research
question. It suggests a possible relationship or explanation for a phenomenon based on existing
knowledge and observations.
2) Testability: A hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable. It should be possible to design empirical
research or experiments to gather evidence that either supports or refutes the hypothesis.
3) Predictive: A hypothesis often involves making predictions about the expected outcomes of a study or
the relationship between variables. These predictions guide the research process and provide a basis for
evaluating the hypothesis.
4) Grounded in Existing Knowledge: A hypothesis is typically based on existing theories, previous research
findings, or empirical evidence. It builds upon the current understanding of a subject and aims to
contribute new insights or confirm existing knowledge.
 FUNCTIONS OF HYPOTHESIS
• The functions of a hypothesis can be summarized as follows:

1) Guiding Research: A hypothesis provides a clear direction for research by focusing on specific
variables or relationships to be investigated. It helps researchers identify the key factors to be
studied and guides the design of data collection and analysis methods (Leedy & Ormrod, 2019).
2) Formulating Research Questions: A hypothesis serves as a starting point for developing research
questions. It helps researchers articulate the specific inquiries they want to address and provides a
framework for investigating the phenomenon of interest (Creswell, 2014).
3) Providing Structure and Focus: A hypothesis helps researchers stay focused on their objectives and
avoid unrelated or irrelevant aspects of a research study. It provides a structure that guides the
research process and ensures that data collection and analysis are aligned with the research goals
(Fraenkel et al., 2019).
4) Facilitating Data Analysis and Interpretation: A hypothesis provides a basis for data analysis by
defining the expected relationships or outcomes. It helps researchers interpret the collected data by
comparing the actual findings with the predicted outcomes stated in the hypothesis (Sekaran &
Bougie, 2016).
IMPORTANCE OF HYPOTHESIS
• The importance of a hypothesis in research can be outlined as follows:

1) Guiding the Research Process: A hypothesis provides a clear direction and purpose to the research study. It
helps researchers define the research objectives, identify variables of interest, and formulate research
questions. This guidance ensures that the study remains focused and relevant (Fraenkel et al., 2019).
2) Generating Testable Predictions: A hypothesis allows researchers to make testable predictions about the
relationships between variables or the outcomes of a study. These predictions provide a framework for
collecting empirical data and evaluating the validity of the hypothesis (Creswell, 2014).
3) Fostering Objectivity and Systematic Inquiry: A hypothesis helps researchers approach their study with
objectivity and systematic methods. It encourages researchers to gather evidence and analyze data in an
unbiased manner, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the research findings (McBurney & White, 2017).
4) Enhancing Scientific Knowledge: Hypotheses play a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge. By
formulating and testing hypotheses, researchers contribute to the understanding of phenomena, validate
existing theories, and generate new knowledge that can be applied in various fields (Trochim & Donnelly,
2008).
 KINDS OF HYPOTHESIS
• There are different kinds or types of hypotheses that can be used in research. Here are some common types:
1. Null Hypothesis (H0): The null hypothesis states that there is no significant relationship or difference
between variables. It assumes that any observed differences or relationships are due to chance or random
variation. Researchers often aim to reject or disprove the null hypothesis in favor of an alternative
hypothesis (Trochim & Donnelly, 2008).
2. Alternative Hypothesis (H1 or Ha): The alternative hypothesis is a competing explanation or prediction to
the null hypothesis. It suggests that there is a significant relationship or difference between variables being
studied. Researchers seek evidence to support the alternative hypothesis when conducting statistical analyses
(McBurney & White, 2017).
3. Directional Hypothesis: A directional hypothesis specifies the expected direction of the relationship between
variables. It predicts not only that a relationship exists but also the nature of that relationship. For example,
it may state that variable A positively affects variable B, or that there is a negative relationship between
variable C and variable D (Creswell, 2014).
4. Non-directional Hypothesis: A non-directional hypothesis does not specify the expected direction of the
relationship between variables. It suggests that a relationship exists, but it does not make a specific
prediction about the nature of that relationship. Researchers aim to determine whether a relationship exists
without specifying its direction (Neuman, 2014).
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
HYPOTHESIS
• Characteristics of a good hypothesis typically include the following:
1) Testability: A good hypothesis is testable, meaning that it can be empirically investigated and either
confirmed or refuted through data collection and analysis. It should be possible to design research methods
and experiments that can provide evidence for or against the hypothesis (Fraenkel et al., 2019).
2) Specificity: A good hypothesis is specific and clearly defines the variables being studied and the relationship
or difference being predicted. It should provide a clear focus for the research study and guide the collection
of relevant data (Creswell, 2014).
3) Falsifiability: A good hypothesis is falsifiable, meaning that it can be potentially proven false. It should be
possible to conceive of evidence or data that would contradict the hypothesis. Falsifiability is an essential
characteristic for hypotheses to be considered scientific (Popper, 1959).
4) Grounded in Existing Knowledge: A good hypothesis is based on a solid foundation of existing knowledge,
previous research findings, or established theories. It demonstrates an understanding of the current state of
knowledge in the field and builds upon it to contribute new insights or confirm existing knowledge (Trochim
& Donnelly, 2008).
5) Relevance and Significance: A good hypothesis addresses a relevant research question and has significance
within the context of the field of study. It should contribute to the understanding of a phenomenon, fill gaps
in knowledge, or have practical implications (Leedy & Ormrod, 2019).
 VARIABLES IN A
HYPOTHESIS
• A hypothesis typically involves two or more
variables, which are factors that can be measured or
manipulated in a research study. The independent
variable is the factor that is being tested or
manipulated, while the dependent variable is the
outcome or result that is being measured.
• In addition, there may be extraneous variables that
could potentially affect the outcome of the study, and
researchers must control for these variables in order
to ensure the validity of their results.
 FORMULATING A
HYPOTHESIS
• Formulating a hypothesis involves identifying the
research question and the variables that will be
studied, as well as reviewing previous research and
observations related to the topic.
• The hypothesis should be based on existing theories
or models, and should be testable through
observation and experimentation.
 TESTING THE
HYPOTHESIS
• Once a hypothesis has been formulated, it must be
tested through observation and experimentation.
Researchers collect data and analyze it to determine
whether the results support or refute the hypothesis.
• If the hypothesis is supported by the data, further
research may be conducted to confirm the findings.
If the hypothesis is not supported, it may be revised
or discarded in favor of a new hypothesis.