Formulating a hypothesis gives precision to a study and lets to achieve research

objectives. A hypothesis is a supposition or a tentative solution to be tested by

empirical evidence; and if it is used in action research, it is an action hypothesis.

This hypothesis relates an idea with an action, the question is the idea and the
answer, the action (Elliot, 1994).

As Boggino and Rosekrans (2004) stated that it is a hypothesis of change where

an idea is related to an action to generate a change in practice (as cited in
Trigueros, 2018).
In the words of Trigueros (2018), an action hypothesis should be:

Logically related to the problem

Testable in classrooms situations
Clearly stated without ambiguity
Testable within a considerably short time
Table 1, Hypothesis characteristics

In order to formulate a hypothesis, the researcher should:

Have a thorough knowledge about the problem

Be clear about objectives
Give importance to participants
Analyse different alternatives
Examine the contexts in which the problem exists

Table 2, Hypothesis guidelines

In the words of Boggino and Rosekrans (2004) and Elliot (1994), the use of a
hypothesis in action research implies to consider validity of results:

1. Descriptive validity: Information gotten is compared with certain

instruments with the information gotten by another researcher with the
same instruments used to observe the same phenomenon. This
makes sure the phenomenon observed is the same.
2. Interpretative validity: Paradigms, conceptions or prejudgment have
to be considered in a research study. Then it is relevant to be aware
of own own subjectivity and its incidence in the way a phenomenon is
perceived.
3. Baseline and assessment: It constitutes a picture of the
phenomenon before the intervention and the corresponding
comparison with another picture after the intervention. It permits to the
research process.
 4. Triangulation: It is used to assess a hypothesis, considering action
research is a spinner cycle in which the ending of a phenomenon could
be the beginning of another one.

A hypothesis can be formulated in different forms (McCombes, 2022), as follows:

1. Declarative form: This may be formulated as a statement with a

positive relationship between the two factors identified, one being the
cause and the other being the effect.

Example:
The academic achievement of extrovert students is significantly higher
than introvert students.
2. Predictive form: This clearly predicts the expected outcome which
would emerge after the action plan is implemented. This can be stated
using ‘if and then’ statement.

Example:
▪ Hypothesis: Getting less than eight hours sleep will make students
less productive.
▪ Prediction: If students get eight hours of sleep, then they will be more
productive.
3. Question form: A question can be raised as action hypothesis as what
the result of the intended action plan would be.

Example:
How does daily exposure to the sun lead to increase levels of children’
happiness?
4. Null form: This states that no relationship exists between the variables
considered in the problem.

Example:
H0: Large families do not have effect on teenagers’ personality.