Formulating hypotheses

A hypothesis is a researcher’s prediction regarding the outcome of the study. A hypothesis states
possible differences, relationships or causes between variables or concepts. Each hypothesis will
usually express a predicted relationship between two or more variables.
Purposes of hypotheses
a) Provide direction. They bridge the gap between the problem and the evidence need for its
solution.
b) Ensure collection of evidence necessary to answer the question posed in the statement of
the problem.
c) Enable the investigator to assess the information he or she has collected from the
standpoint of both relevance and organization.
d) Sensitize the investigator to certain aspects of the situation that are relevant regarding the
problem at hand.
e) Permit the researcher to understand the problem with greater clarity and use data
collected to find solutions to problems.
f) Form the framework for the ultimate conclusions as solutions. Researchers base their
conclusions on the results of their tests of their hypotheses.

Characteristics of hypotheses

1. Must state clearly and briefly the expected relationship between variables.
2. Must be based on sound rationale derived from theory, or previous research or
professional experience.
3. Must be consistent with common sense or generally accepted truths.
4. Must be testable.
5. Related to empirical phenomena.
6. Testable within a reasonable time.
7. Variables stated in the hypothesis must be consistent with the purpose statement,
objectives and operationalized variables in the method section.
8. Simple and as concise as the complexity of the concepts involved allows.
9. Stated in such a way that its implications can be deduced in the form of empirical
operations with respect to which relationship can be validated or refuted.

Example: There is no significant relationship between employee motivation and employee

performance

Types of hypotheses
Null hypotheses
States that no real relationship or difference exists: any relationship between two variables or
difference between groups is merely due to chance or error.
Eg There is no significant difference in the performance of national examinations between std. 8
students from rural primary schools and std. 8 students from urban primary schs. in Kenya.
H0: µ1=µ2
The null hypothesis states that the population mean of children in the primary schs is equal to
the population mean of children in urban schs.
Alternative non-directional hypotheses
States that there is a relationship or differences but the researcher does not know the nature of
such a difference or relationship.
Eg There is a significant difference in the performance of national examinations between std. 8
students from rural primary schools and std. 8 students from urban primary schs. in Kenya.
H1: µ1≠µ2
This means that the population mean of children in the primay schs is not equal to the population
mean of children in urban schs.
Alternative directional hypotheses
Specifies the nature of the relationship or difference between variables. This means that a
relationship may be stated as being greater than, less than etc.
H1: µ1>µ2 or
H1: µ2<µ1
Implies that the population mean in the national examinations of children from urban schs is
greater than the population mean of children from rural schs.
RESEARCH PLAN/DESIGN

Definition

Reduced to the simplest of terms, “research design is a mapping strategy. It is essentially a

statement of the object of the inquiry and the strategies for collecting the evidences, analysing
the evidences and reporting the findings.”

“A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a
manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.” In
fact, the research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it
constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. As such the design
includes an outline of what the researcher will do from writing the hypothesis/ objectives and its
operational implications to the final analysis of data.

More explicitly, the design decisions happen to be in respect of:

(i) What is the study about?

(ii) Why is the study being made?
(iii) Where will the study be carried out?
(iv) What type of data is required?

(iv) Where can the required data be found?

v) What periods of time will the study include?

(vii) What will be the sample design?

(viii) What techniques of data collection will be used?

(ix) How will the data be analysed?

(x) In what style will the report be prepared?

Important features of a research design as:

(i) It is a plan that specifies the sources and types of information relevant to the research
problem. (ii) It is a strategy specifying which approach will be used for gathering and analysing
the data. (iii) It also includes the time and cost budgets since most studies are done under these
two constraints.

In brief, research design must, at least, contain—

(a) a clear statement of the research problem;

(b) procedures and techniques to be used for gathering information;

(c) the population to be studied; and

(d) methods to be used in processing and analysing data.

Types of research designs

a) Descriptive research design

b) Explanatory research design
c) Diagnostic research design
d) Experimental research design
Descriptive research design - Researcher interested in describing a particular situation or
phenomena under study. Used to obtain information about the current status of the phenomena
and to describe what exists with respect to variables or conditions in a situation. They do not
make accurate predictions and they do not determine cause and effect.

Explanatory research design – Used to gain insight where small amount of information exists.
Purpose is to explain rather than simply to describe. Researcher uses his own imagination and
ideas. It is based on the researcher’s personal judgement

Diagnostic research design -Researcher wants to know the root cause of the problem. He
describes the factors responsible for the problematic situation.

Experimental research design - Procedure that enables the researcher to maintain control over
factors that may affect the result of an experiment. It is oriented towards the discovery of basic
relationship among phenomena as means of predicting and eventually, controlling their
occurrence.

Types of descriptive research designs

a) Observational- Animal and human behavior is closely observed. Can be naturalistic or

laboratory investigations.
b) Case study- An in-depth study of an individual or group of individuals.
c) Survey- Participants answer questions administered through interviews or questionnaires.
After participants answer the questions, researchers describe the responses given.