12

Practical
Research 2
Quarter 1 – Module 7:
DEFINITION OF TERMS &
HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY
Subject Area – Grade Level
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 1 – Module 7: Definition of Terms & Hypothesis of The Study
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Development Team of the Module

Writers: ADONIS C. BAYRON, MAT
Editors: CHARMAINE ROSE T. ESTANDARTE
Reviewers: Name
Illustrator: Name
Layout Artist: Name
Cover Art Designer: Ian Caesar E. Frondoza
Management Team: Allan G. Farnazo, CESO IV – Regional Director
Fiel Y. Almendra, CESO V – Assistant Regional Director
Name of Schools Division Superintendent
Name of Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Gilbert B. Barrera – Chief, CLMD
Arturo D. Tingson Jr. – REPS, LRMS
Peter Van C. Ang-ug – REPS, ADM
Name of REPS – Subject Area Supervisor
Name of CID Chief
Name of Division EPS In Charge of LRMS
Name of Division ADM Coordinator
Name of EPS – Subject Area Supervisor

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Office Address: Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893
E-mail Address: region12@deped.gov.ph
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) in Practical Research 1 is prepared so that
you, our dear learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities,
questions, directions, exercises and discussions are carefully stated for you to
understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-test is provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM.
This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module, or if you need to
ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the
lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you
will be honest in using these. In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to
the Teachers are also provided to the facilitators and parents for strategies and
reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. Read
the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the Definition of Terms & Hypothesis of the Study. The scope of this module permits
it to be used in many different learning situations.

The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons
are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which
you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
The module is composed of one lesson only:

• Lesson 1 – Definition of Terms & Hypothesis of the Study

After going through this module, you are expected to:

a. differentiate operational and conceptual definitions;
b. identify the types of hypotheses;
c. define the given terms operationally and conceptually; and
d. formulate null and alternative hypotheses.

2
 What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is the best example of a null hypothesis?

A. There will be no relationship between the amount of cookies you eat
and your blood sugar level.
B. As the amount of cookies you eat increases, your blood sugar level
will increase.
C. As the amount of cookies you eat increases, your blood sugar level
will decrease.
D. As the amount of cookies you eat decreases, your blood sugar level
will remain constant.

2. You feel sick after eating leftovers you found in the back of the
refrigerator. Doctor’s hypothesis is that you have__________.
A. food poisoning.
B. stomach cancer.
C. contracted swine flu.
D. been poisoned by your roommate.

3. What is the primary difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

A. A hypothesis is an untested theory.
B. Hypotheses are used to generate theories.
C. A theory is a collection of data-based hypotheses.
D. A hypothesis is based on a hunch, and a theory is based on data.

4. Many people describe hypothesis testing as counterintuitive because

A. we test whether something happened in order to conclude that
nothing happened.
B. we test whether nothing happened in order to conclude that
something happened.
C. we can only conclude that nothing happened when we are 100%
sure that something did not happen.
D. we test whether something happened but can still conclude that
nothing happened.

5. Which of the following is the first step in hypothesis testing?

A. Drawing a sample from the population
B. Developing a null and alternative hypothesis
C. Setting the cutoff value for rejecting the null hypothesis
D. It does not matter where you begin when you test hypotheses.

3
 Lesson DEFINITION OF TERMS &
7 HYPOTHESIS OF THE
STUDY

What’s In

Directions: Answer the following questions comprehensively. Write your answers on

the space provided.

1. What is a conceptual framework?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Why do we need conceptual framework in quantitative research?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Is it necessary to define the terms in your conceptual framework (the
independent and dependent variables there)? Why? Why not?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4
 What’s New

Encircle the words that you can find in the puzzle box and use them in a
sentence. Write your sentences on the blanks provided.

R R I N T E R Y O P O P T G H
R E T G H Y U L K L F G B N M
G V V P U Z O I L A W Q R F Y
Y I Y I G N P T M G G D F A O
N E Y L E M L E N I V N M R C
M W T O G L U R E A C B G I P
Y O O P P B G A G R D G G D A
I N T E R N E T F I X O A A H
E Y G O J F H U D S L D P C C
C L P P P S K R S M S R S V R
P A R A P H L E W T Z T B M A
U T P A R A P H R A S I N G E
E G A L L L M R Q G V N N N S
N S Y N T H E S I Z E G U Y E
M M A W Y K N T R R M H I Q R

1._______________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________________

4._______________________________________________________________

5._______________________________________________________________

6._______________________________________________________________

7._______________________________________________________________

8._______________________________________________________________

9._______________________________________________________________

10.______________________________________________________________

5
 What is It

What is Definition of Terms in research?

When we say definition of terms, it is an alphabetical list of

important terms based on the context design of a particular research paper.
It is usually defined operationally.
The research proposal will likely include terms that are not widely
known outside of the discipline. These terms include particular theoretical
constructs, formulas, operational definitions that differ from colloquial
definitions, schools of thought and discipline-specific acronyms. The
definition of terms most likely a reference of the reader of a research study.
Definition of terms is usually an annex to a work (book, research
paper, pamphlet, etc.) either at the beginning or more likely near the end
with a list of acronyms, jargon, credits, etc. This is an important part of
research paper or report is that in which the key or important terms in the
study are clearly defined.
In general, important terms only need to be defined in two cases: a)
when the term is not widely known or understood, and b) when the
term has specific or unique meaning in the context of the study, and
it is essential that the reader of the dissertation understand this specific
meaning (Creswell, 2012).
In research, operational and conceptual definition of terms are used.
Take a look the difference of the two terms below.

OPERATIONAL CONCEPTUAL
The researchers are using their own The researchers are using
definition based on the uses of dictionary to define the terms of the
terms in the study. study.

Example: Example:
Learning Performance-it refers to Learning-the act or experience of
the first quarter average grade of one that learns
the respondents of the study. Performance-the execution of an
action; something accomplishes
(Merriam-Webster)

Learning performance is being The terms learning and

defined by the researcher using performance are defined by the
his/her own words based on the researcher using the Merriam-
uses of term/s in the study. Webster dictionary.

6
What is hypothesis?

A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a

phenomenon. A scientific hypothesis is testable hypothesis. Scientists
generally base scientific hypotheses on previous observations that cannot
satisfactorily be explained with the available scientific theories.
Even though the words "hypothesis" and "theory" are often used
synonymously, a scientific hypothesis is not the same as a scientific theory.
A working hypothesis is a provisionally accepted hypothesis proposed for
further research, in a process beginning with an educated guess or
thought.
A hypothesis is an assumption, an idea that is proposed for the sake
of argument so that it can be tested to see if it might be true. In the scientific
method, the hypothesis is constructed before any applicable research has
been done, apart from a basic background review. In addition, a
hypothesis is an explanation for an observed problem or phenomenon
based on previous knowledge or observations. Often called a research
question, a hypothesis is basically an idea that must be put to the test
(Esposito, 2002).
There are two general types of hypotheses: null hypothesis and
alternative hypothesis. Take a look the difference of the two terms below:

NULL ALTERNATIVE
A type of hypothesis used in It is a statement used in statistical
statistics that proposes that there inference experiment. It is usually
is no difference between certain contradictory to the null
characteristics of a population hypothesis. We can say that it is
(Hayes, 2020). simply an alternative to the null
(Hayes, 2020).

Symbol: H0 Symbol: Ha or H1

Example statement: Example statement:

There is no significant difference There is a significant difference
between the written scores of between the written scores of
control group and experimental control group and experimental
group. group.

7
 What’s More

A. Directions: Write the exact definition of the terms “definition of terms”

and “hypothesis” inside the figure.

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
___________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
___________________

B. Directions: Analyze the research titles below:

1. “Alcohol Addiction among Senior High School Learners”

Define the terms operationally:

Alcohol-_____________________________________________________________

Addiction-___________________________________________________________

Senior High School Learners-________________________________________

2. “Pandemic Anxiety of Senior High School Teachers”

Provide conceptual definition of the terms below:

Pandemic-__________________________________________________________

Anxiety-____________________________________________________________

Teachers-___________________________________________________________

8
 What I Have Learned

Directions: Answer the following questions comprehensively. Write your answers on

the space provided.

1. Why do we need to define terms operationally?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Suppose the concept of the study is effectiveness of online learning towards

the academic performance of Grade 11 students, what will be the hypothesis
or assumption of the said concept of the study?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. In your own words, explain the following:

Definition of terms
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Hypothesis
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Criteria:
Content of the Answers- 5 points
Grammar/Spelling-5 points
TOTAL-10 points each item

9
 What I Can Do

Directions: Imagine that you are working on the research title below. Define the
terms conceptually.

Research Title: ONLINE LEARNING: ITS EFFECT ON SELF-ESTEEM AND

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ELEMENTARY
LEARNERS OF REGION XII

Online Learning-
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Self-Esteem-
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Elementary Learners-
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Academic Performance-
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Age-
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Gender-
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Economic status
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

10
 Assessment

A. Directions: Based on the concept given, enumerate at least five importance of

hypothesis in a particular research study. Don’t limit your idea.

1. ______________________________________

2. ______________________________________

3. ______________________________________

4. ______________________________________

5. ______________________________________

B. Directions: In your own understanding, what are the significance of definition

terms in a certain research work? Give at least five.

1. ______________________________________

2. ______________________________________

3. ______________________________________

4. ______________________________________

5. ______________________________________

11
 Additional Activities

Directions: Discuss review of related literature. Why is it necessary to have

review of related literature?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

source: https://www.thoughtco.com/essay-rubric-20813

12
 Answer Key

B 5.
B 4.
C 3.
A 2.
A 1.

What’s In What I Know Assessment

References

Creswell, J.W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and

evaluating quantitative and qualitative research, 4th ed. Boston, MA:
Pearson Education.

Esposito, J. L. (2002 November). Interactive, multiple-method questionnaire

evaluation research: A case study. Paper presented at the International
Conference in Questionnaire Development, Evaluation, and Testing
(QDET) Methods. Charleston, SC.

Fatatado III, R. et al. (2016). Practical Rresearch 2 (quantitative research for

SHS). Lorimar Publishing House. Quezon City. Metro Manila.

Hayes, A (2020). What is null hypothesis?. Retrieved from

wwww.investopedia.com/term

13
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN

Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893

Email Address: region12@deped.gov.ph