Research: Hypothesis

Definition
the word hypothesis is derived form the Greek words hypo means under tithemi means place

Under known facts of the problem to explain relationship between these ........ is a statement subject to verification ......... a guess but experienced guess based on some facts ..is a hunch, assumption, suspicion, assertion or an idea about a phenomena, relationship, or situation, the reality of truth of which one do not know a researcher calls these assumptions, assertions, statements, or hunches hypotheses and they become the basis of an inquiry. In most cases, the hypothesis will be based upon either previous studies or the researchers own or someone elses observations Hypothesis is a conjectural( imaginary/ not tested yet) statement of relationship between two or more variable (Kerlinger, Fried N, Foundations of Behabioural Research , 3rd edition, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1986)

Definition

Hypothesis is proposition, condition or principle which is assumed, perhaps without belief, in order to draw its logical consequences and by this method to test its accord with facts which are known or may be determined (Websters New International Dictionary of English). A tentative statement about something, the validity of which is usually unknown (Black, James A & Dean J Champion, Method and Issues in Social Research, New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 1976) Hypothesis is proposition that is stated is a testable form and that predicts a particular relationship between two or more variable. In other words, id we think that a relationship exists, we first state it is hypothesis and then test hypothesis in the field (Baily, Kenneth D, Methods of Social Research, 3rd edition, New York: The Free Press, 1978)

Definition

A hypothesis is written in such a way that it can be proven or disproven by valid and reliable data in order to obtain these data that we perform our study (Grinnell, Richard, Jr. Social Work Research and Evaluation, 3rd edition, Itasca, Illinois, F.E. Peacock Publishers, 988) A hypothesis may be defined as a tentative theory or supposition set up and adopted provisionally as a basis of explaining certain facts or relationships and as a guide in the further investigation of other facts or relationships (Crisp, Richard D, Marketing Research, New York: McGraw Hill Book Co., 1957 )

Characteristics

Hypotheses has the following characteristics: a tentative proposition unknown validity specifies relation between two or more variables

Functions

Bringing clarity to the research problem Serves the following functions provides a study with focus signifies what specific aspects of a research problem is to investigate what data to be collected and what not to be collected enhancement of objectivity of the study formulate the theory enable to conclude with what is true or what is false

Characteristics

To complete the research project Successfully, it is necessary to write or plan a Good Hypothesis. Hypothesis is nothing but the basic Assumption to do research Project. The different characteristics of Good Hypothesis are given as below Testable The means for manipulating the variables and/or measuring the outcome variable must potentially exist Falsifiable must be able to reject the hypothesis with data Parsimonious should be stated in simplest adequate form Precise Should be specific (operationalized)

Useful Relate to existing theories and/or point toward new theories it should lead to studies beyond the present one (often hard to determine in advance) Sound reasoning A.Your hypothesis should be based on previous research. B.The hypothesis should follow the most likely outcome, not the exceptional outcome.

Provides a reasonable explanation for the predicted outcome. A.Do not look for unrealistic explanations. clearly states the relationship between the defined variables. A.Clear, simply written hypothesis is easier to test. B.Do not be vague.

defines the variables in easy to measure terms. A.Who are the participants? B.What is different or will be different in your test? C.What is the effect? testable in a reasonable amount of time. A.Do not plan a test that will take longer than your class project.

Typologies

Three types working hypothesis Null hypothesis Alternate hypothesis

Working hypothesis The working or trail hypothesis is provisionally adopted to explain the relationship between some observed facts for guiding a researcher in the investigation of a problem. A Statement constitutes a trail or working hypothesis (which) is to be tested and conformed, modifies or even abandoned as the investigation proceeds.

Typologies
Null hypothesis A null hypothesis is formulated against the working hypothesis; opposes the statement of the working hypothesis ....it is contrary to the positive statement made in the working hypothesis; formulated to disprove the contrary of a working hypothesis

When a researcher rejects a null hypothesis, he/she actually proves a working hypothesis
In statistics, to mean a null hypothesis usually Ho is used. For example, Ho Q = O where Q is the property of the population under investigation O is hypothetical

Typically will imply no association between explanatory and response variables in our applications (will always contain an equality)

Typologies
Alternate hypothesis An alternate hypothesis is formulated when a researcher totally rejects null hypothesis He/she develops such a hypothesis with adequate reasons The notion used to mean alternate hypothesis is H1 Q>O i.e., Q is greater than OStatement

contradictory to the null hypothesis (will always contain an inequality)

Example
Working hypothesis: Population influences the number of bank branches in a town

Null hypothesis (Ho): Population do not have any influence on the number of bank branches in a town.

Alternate hypothesis (H1): Population has significant effect on the number of bank branches in a town. A researcher formulates this hypothesis only after rejecting the null hypothesis.

Example - Efficacy Test for New drug

Drug company has new drug, wishes to compare it with current standard treatment Federal regulators tell company that they must demonstrate that new drug is better than current treatment to receive approval Firm runs clinical trial where some patients receive new drug, and others receive standard treatment Numeric response of therapeutic effect is obtained (higher scores are better). Parameter of interest: m -m

Example - Efficacy Test for New drug

Null hypothesis - New drug is no better than standard trt

H 0 : m New m Std 0

m New m Std

Alternative hypothesis - New drug is better than standard trt

H A : m New m Std 0

Thanks!