LA 2.

Activity 3

Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking

the Question
Activity 3: Formulating a Research Hypothesis
The outputs of this learning area will complete the Chapter 1: Introduction of your research.

Objectives
In this activity, you should be able to do the following:
● Define a research hypothesis.
● Describe the characteristics of a research hypothesis.
● Formulate a research hypothesis following the guidelines.

● Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

● Communication
Opportunity to ● Collaboration
Practice the Following ● Information Literacy
21st-Century Skills ● Productivity and Accountability

Recall
Establishing the research topic solidifies the foundation of the research study. Following
the finalization of the research topic is the proposal of the predictive statement that
assumes the possible relationship between the variables. In quantitative research, this is
known as the research hypothesis.

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LA 2. Activity 3

Research Hypothesis
A research hypothesis is a statement that presumes the outcome of the study once the
different variables are tested. As a recall, there are two types of variables: the independent
and the dependent variables. The independent variable is the presumed cause or the stable
and unaffected variable while the dependent variable is the presumed effect or the
variables expected to change that depends on other variables to be measured. If a
relationship exists between the independent and dependent variables, then a change in the
independent variable would cause a subsequent change in the dependent variable.

Quick Tip
A research hypothesis contains the independent and dependent variables of the
study. Make sure that you have correctly identified the independent and
dependent variables in your study so that you could formulate the research
hypothesis easily.

The research hypothesis goes hand in hand with the research question of the study. It
serves as the tentative answer to the posed research question since it is subjected to
testing according to the researcher’s defined quantitative techniques. It is important to
know how to formulate a research hypothesis because it will provide a clear direction to the
study.

There are two kinds of research hypotheses: null and alternative. A null hypothesis states
that there is no relationship between the independent and dependent variables. In essence,
the null hypothesis states that the independent variable does not cause any change in the
dependent variable.

An alternative hypothesis presumes that a relationship exists between the variables. A

research hypothesis is usually an alternative hypothesis. An alternative hypothesis predicts
that the independent variable causes a difference in the dependent variable.

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LA 2. Activity 3

There are two kinds of alternative hypotheses: directional or non-directional. A directional

alternative hypothesis indicates the type of difference that exists in the relationship
between the independent and dependent variables. This type of difference may be in the
form of an increase or a decrease in the dependent variable depending on the changes in
the independent variable. On the other hand, a non-directional alternative hypothesis
does not explicitly state the type of difference between the independent and dependent
variables. For example, it does not state whether the independent variable causes an
increase or decrease in the dependent variable. In essence, a non-directional alternative
hypothesis only indicates that there is a relationship between the independent and
dependent variables.

Characteristics of a Research Hypothesis

The formulation of a research hypothesis is expected in quantitative research, most notably
in experimental quantitative research. Here are the following characteristics of a research
hypothesis:

A research hypothesis should be testable.

The researcher should be able to measure and test the relationship between the variables
stated in the hypothesis to provide a concrete explanation of the phenomenon observed in
the study.

A research hypothesis is either true or false.

A hypothesis should be tested to know whether it is true or false. A research hypothesis that
is proven true at a particular point in time may be disproven in the future, given a different
set of evidence and updated measurements of variables. Therefore, one cannot conclude
that a research hypothesis is always true. Future researchers may pursue the same topic,
use the same variables, test the same relationships, yet arrive at a different conclusion.

A research hypothesis is considered valuable regardless of results.

Regardless of being true or false, the results of any test on a research hypothesis are still
valuable. Even a ‘false’ result is valuable because it allows the researcher to explore the

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LA 2. Activity 3
possibilities that gave rise to such a result. Thus, either a true or false result in the testing of
the hypotheses can still provide additional information to the existing body of knowledge.

Formulating a Research Hypothesis

The formulation of a research hypothesis must be primarily anchored on the research topic
and the research question. Here are some guidelines to follow in formulating a research
hypothesis, particularly an alternative hypothesis:

Finalize the research question.

Formulating a research hypothesis is easy if the research question has already been
finalized. Remember that the research hypothesis serves as the tentative answer to the
research question. Moreover, a final research question serves as the overall guidance of the
researcher in formulating a research hypothesis to make sure that he or she does not stray
away from the focus of the study.

Conduct preliminary research.

Preliminary research is important in assessing the range of available information about the
topic. It reveals the range of previous studies that deals with the same topic, same variables,
or even the same hypothesis. Conducting preliminary research helps the researcher in
contextualizing the current study within its wider field or discipline. This also helps in
establishing the significance and contribution of the current research study.

Operationalize the variables.

A research hypothesis is composed of variables. Since the research hypothesis must be
measurable, then the variables must be measurable as well. Setting the measurements of
variables is known as the process of operationalization. The operationalization of variables
provides the operational definition. The operational definition is the actual measurement
or indication of the variable in the real world. The indicators of a variable provide more
specific details on the measurements of the operational definition. Knowing the operational
definition and indicators of a variable is important in the data collection process.

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LA 2. Activity 3

Variable Operational definition Indicators

Memorization of Retention of images over a Number of images retained in

images given period of time one minute

Educational Level of education attained by Elementary, high school,

attainment an individual undergraduate, graduate

Formulate the alternative hypothesis.

Writing a research hypothesis is usually constructed as an ‘if-then’ statement. The
independent variable is usually stated first, followed by the dependent variable. The
researcher must adopt a predictive stance in following this hypothesis structure in order to
clearly state the presumed relationship between the variables—for instance, "if a student
listens to classical music, then it will increase his or her ability to memorize images." In this
example, classical music and the student’s activity of listening to it is the independent
variable. The memorization of images is the dependent variable.

Quick Tip
Make sure that the hypothesis is measurable through the operationalization of
variables. The operationalization process is most helpful in gathering data for the
measurement and testing of the variables.

Provide the null hypothesis.

A null hypothesis is also formulated with a presumption that it is open for rejection or being
proven false. Remember that a null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between
the variables. Thus, rejecting the null hypothesis would mean that a relationship exists
between the variables, therefore, proving the predicted relationship stated in the alternative
hypothesis.

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LA 2. Activity 3

Examples:
1. Listening to classical music has no effect on increasing the number of
memorized images.
2. There is no effect on the number of memorized images when listening to
classical music.

Activity Instructions
1. Form a group of three to five members.
2. Write a research question based on the final research topic of any of the group
members.
3. Formulate an alternative research hypothesis for the research question. Provide
the following information:
a. Identify the kind of alternative research hypothesis used (i.e., directional or
non-directional).
b. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
c. Operationalize the variables by providing their operational definitions and
at least one indicator.
d. State the null hypothesis.

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LA 2. Activity 3

Rubric for Grading

1 2 3 4 Weights Points

Relevance of the The research The research The research The research
Research question is question is slightly question is mostly question is clearly
Question irrelevant to the relevant to the relevant to the relevant to the 20%
topic of choice. topic of choice. topic of choice. topic of choice.

Critical Thinking The alternative The alternative The alternative The alternative
and Problem- research research research research
Solving in the hypothesis does hypothesis does hypothesis clearly hypothesis clearly
Formulation of not clearly state not clearly state states the states the
Alternative the independent the independent independent and independent and
Research and dependent and dependent dependent dependent
Hypothesis variables. It needs variables. It needs variables. It needs variables. It can be 30%
major minor minimal clearly classified
improvements in improvements in improvements in as directional or
demonstrating the demonstrating the demonstrating the non-directional.
kind of alternative kind of alternative kind of alternative
hypothesis. hypothesis. hypothesis.

Completeness of Less than three Three out of five Four out of five All five criteria are
Answers out of five criteria criteria are criteria are satisfied.
1. Correct type of are satisfied. satisfied. satisfied.
alternative
hypothesis
2. Correct
identification of
independent and 20%
dependent variables
3. Operational
definitions
4. Indicators of
variables
5. Correct null
hypothesis

Grammar, The submission The submission The submission The submission is

Spelling, and needs major needs minor needs minimal coherent in the
Communication improvements in improvements in improvements in presentation of
the coherence of the coherence of the coherence of ideas. It contains
ideas. It contains ideas. It contains ideas. It contains little to no 20%
major minor minimal grammatical and
grammatical and grammatical and grammatical and spelling errors.
spelling errors. spelling errors. spelling errors.

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LA 2. Activity 3
1 2 3 4 Weights Points

Group Participation More than two Two group One group All of the group
and Collaboration group members members did not member did not members
did not contribute contribute to the contribute to the contributed to the
to the accomplishment accomplishment accomplishment 10%
accomplishment of the activity. of the activity. of the activity.
of the activity.

Total 100%

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Bibliography

Balnaves, Mark, and Peter Caputi. Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods An

Investigative Approach. London: Sage Publications Ltd., 2001.

Bradford, Alina. “What is a Scientific Hypothesis? - Definition of Hypothesis.” Live Science.

Accessed on April 20, 2020.
https://www.livescience.com/21490-what-is-a-scientific-hypothesis
-definition-of-hypothesis.html.

Kabir, Syed Muhammad Sajjad. “Formulating and Testing Hypothesis.” In Basic Guidelines for
Research: An Introductory Approach for All Disciplines. Bangladesh: Book Zone
Publication, 2016.

Trochim, William. “Research Methods Knowledge Base.” Accessed on April 20, 2020.
https://socialresearchmethods.net/kb/hypotheses-explained/.

Walliman, Nicholas. Research Methods The Basics. New York: Routledge, 2011.