HYPOTHESES CONSTRUCTION AND ITS IMPORTANCE

HYPOTHESIS: Definition
⬢ A tentative statement about something, the validity of which is usually unknown
⬢ A proposition that is stated in a testable form and that predicts a particular relationship between
two or more variables
⬢ Written in such a way that it can be proven or disproven by valid and reliable data

HYPOTHESIS: Characteristics
From the definitions, a hypothesis has certain characteristics such as:
⬢ It is a tentative proposition
⬢ Its validity is not known
⬢ In most cases, it specifies a relationship between two or more variables.

HYPOTHESIS: Considerations
A hypothesis should be simple, specific and clear
⬢ No ambiguity in the hypothesis – makes verification difficult
There is no place for ambiguity in the construction of a hypothesis, as it will make the
verification of your hypothesis almost impossible
⬢ Unidimensional – should test one relationship at a time
It should be one-dimensional that is, it should test only one relationship or hunch a time
⬢ Must be familiar with the subject area (literature review) before suggesting the hypothesis
To be able to develop a good hypothesis you must be familiar with the subject area. The
more insight you have into a problem, the easier it is to construct a hypothesis

A hypothesis should be capable of verification

⬢ Data collection and analysis
Methods and techniques must be available for data collection and analysis. There is no
point in formulating a hypothesis if it cannot be subjected to verification because there are no
techniques to verify it.

A hypothesis should be operationalizable

⬢ Expressed in terms that can be measured
This means that it can be expressed in terms that can be measured. If it cannot be
measured it cannot be tested and, hence, no conclusion can be drawn.

A hypothesis should be related to the existing body of knowledge

It is important that your hypothesis emerges from the existing body of knowledge, and
that it adds to it, as this important function of research

HYPOTHESIS: Categories
Theoretically there should be only one type of hypothesis, that is the research hypothesis.
However, because of conventions in scientific enquiries and because of the wording used in the
construction of a hypothesis, hypothesis can be classified into several types. Broadly there are two
categories of hypothesis:
Research hypothesis
⬢ Your hypothesis which you want to test

Alternative hypothesis
 ⬢ The main function of alternative hypothesis is to clearly specify the relationship that will be
considered as true in case the research hypothesis proves to be wrong. In this way alternative
hypothesis is the opposite of research hypothesis.

WAYS OF FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis of No Difference (Null Hypothesis)

⬢ A hypothesis stipulating that there is no difference between two situations, groups or outcomes
Example:
There is no significant difference in the proportion of male and female smokers in the study
population.

Hypothesis of Difference
⬢ A hypothesis in which a researcher stipulates that there will be a difference but does not specify
its magnitude
Example:
A greater proportion of females than males are smokers in the study population.

Hypothesis of Point-Prevalence
⬢ There are times that a researcher has enough knowledge about the behavior/situation or
phenomenon that he/she is studying and is confident about speculating almost exact prevalence of
the situation or the outcome in quantitative units.
Example:
A total of 60% of females and 30% of males in the study population are smokers.

Hypothesis of Association
⬢ When as a researcher you have sufficient knowledge about a situation or phenomenon and is in a
position to stipulate the extent of the relationship between two variables and formulate a hunch
that reflects the magnitude of the relationship.
Example:
Twice as many female smokers as male smokers.

ERRORS IN TESTING A HYPOTHESIS

A hypothesis is an assumption that prove to either correct or incorrect. Incorrect conclusions about the
validity of a hypothesis may be drawn if:
⬢ The study design selected is faulty
⬢ The sampling procedure adopted is faulty
⬢ The method of data collection is inaccurate
⬢ The analysis is wrong
⬢ The statistical procedure applied are inappropriate
⬢ The conclusion drawn are incorrect

Two Types of Error

In testing a hypothesis there is always the possibility of errors attributable to the reasons
described earlier. Hence in drawing conclusion of a hypothesis, two types of error can occur. Rejection of
a null hypothesis when it is true. This is known as a Type I error. Acceptance of a null hypothesis when
it is false. This is known as a Type II error.

IMPORTANCE OF HYPOTHESIS
⬢ It ensures the entire research methodologies are scientific and valid.
⬢ It helps to assume the probability of research failure and progress.
⬢ It helps to provide link to the underlying theory and specific research question.
⬢ It helps in data analysis and measure the validity and reliability of the research.
⬢ It provides a basis or evidence to prove the validity of the research.
⬢ It helps to describe research study in concrete terms rather than theoretical terms.