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Listing Research Hypothesis

1. define hypothesis
2. explain the purposes of hypothesis
3. differentiate null and alternative hypotheses
4. evaluate the quality of hypotheses
5. formulate hypotheses based on a set of guidelines; lists research hypotheses (if
appropriate) (CS_RS12-If-j-8)
6. explain the relationship of hypotheses with research problem and research questions

There are times that we tend to have assumptions over things or people and later we can prove

if our assumptions are right or wrong. Our assumptions are sometimes based with what we know or at

times they are purely based on our biases or prejudices. In research, we also tend to come up with

assumptions before we can actually finish an entire study. It is our guide in conducting our study and

we try to prove if these assumptions are right or wrong based on the results at the end of our study.

What term do we call this in research and how does it work in our study?

HYPOTHESIS
What is a hypothesis? A hypothesis is a tentative explanation or an answer to a question about
variables, their relationships, and other facts involved in the research. Research always ends up with
a result. However, you are free to hypothesize; meaning, to infer, propose, or guess about factual things
related to the research.
It is an inferential thinking that makes you guess something based not only on whatever experience or
factual knowledge you have about such thing but also on conclusions that were logically drawn by other
research studies. A hypothesis has to be tested through analytical investigation to prove how true or
false it is. (Creswell 2014; Russell 2013)
Purposes of Hypotheses
Some researchers find hypotheses essential because of the following reasons:
1. They guide you on which aspect of the research to focus on.
2. They provide opportunities to prove the relationship between variables.
3. They give the right direction of the research.
4. They outline your thoughts on your manner of summarizing the results and of explaining the
conclusions.
5. They push for an empirical study to prove the existence of relationship of variables and the effects
of independent variable on the dependent variable.
Categories of Hypotheses
There are two categories of hypotheses: null hypotheses and alternative hypotheses. A null
hypothesis symbolized by Ho, which states the absence of relationship between the independent and
dependent variables. It is therefore a statement to disprove the fact that the independent variable
(treatment, intervention, or condition) has an effect on the dependent variable. The opposite of null
hypothesis is the alternative hypothesis. Symbolized by Hi, the alternative hypothesis states the
relationship between the independent and the dependent variables and the fact that the first affects the
second one. (Morgan 2014; Thomas 2013)
Types of Hypotheses
Choosing which type of hypothesis to use depends solely on you, the researcher. It does not
mean, however, that choosing one of the following types of hypotheses makes you come out with the
best hypothesis because no type of hypotheses is superior to any hypothesis. (Badke 2012; Morgan
2014)
1. Theory-driven vs. Data-driven hypotheses
A hypothesis that is based on existing theory to explain the relationship of variables and the
effects of one variable on the other variables is theory-driven. But if it is based on the findings of
previous research studies, it is a data-driven hypothesis.
2. Directional (one-tailed) vs. Non-directional (two-tailed) hypotheses
Directional hypotheses state the relationship of two variables as well as of the relationship of
these variables. Non-directional hypotheses, on the other hand, state the relationship of variables but
not on the direction of the relationship.
3. Descriptive vs. Causal hypotheses
A statement specifying the relationship between two variables due to the influence of something
is a descriptive hypothesis; due to cause-effect relationship, it is a causal hypothesis. True experimental
or quasi-experimental research such as a correlation study uses causal hypotheses; non-experimental
research uses descriptive hypotheses.

Guidelines in Formulating Hypotheses

The craft in hypotheses formulation requires you think of the following pointers (Mc Bride 2013;
Lapan 2012):

1. Express your hypotheses in a declarative sentence.

2. Support your hypotheses with ideas based on theories, known facts, previous studies, or your own
experience and wisdom.
3. Establish a logical relationship between the hypotheses and the research problem.
4. Have your hypotheses predict the nature of relationship between or among variables.
 5. Ascertain the possibility of having some means of testing, analyzing, and investigating your
hypotheses.
6. Avoid wordiness by using clear, exact, or specific language in stating the hypotheses.

Follow this pattern in writing your Hypothesis section:

Number of
Part Section Content
Paragraphs
Must be stated in a null
Your hypothesis
First Part hypothesis form directly 1 sentence only
statement
answering the research problem
Must give an introduction
statement about what will this
Introductory Composed of 1
Second Part section discuss; state if your
Statement sentence only
evidences accept or reject your
null hypothesis
Must cite and discuss the
Composed of 1 to
Third Part First Evidence evidence that either accept or
2 paragraphs
reject your null hypothesis
Must cite and discuss the
Composed of 1 to
Fourth Part Second Evidence evidence that either accept or
2 paragraphs
reject your null hypothesis
Must give a closing statement
about wrapping up the discussion
Concluding and emphasizing that your Composed of 1 or
Fifth Part
Statement evidences really accept or reject 2 paragraphs
your null hypothesis

Note: You can have as many evidences as you want for as long as you present it in an organized way.

Example of a Hypothesis section from an actual research paper:

Research Title: Leadership Styles and Student Leader’s Performance of the Senior High School
Department of Jose Maria College (Davad et.al, 2020)

Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant relationship between leadership styles and the student leaders’

performance of the Senior High School Students of Jose Maria College.

The following parts below accept the null hypothesis of this study. Below is the discussion of the

hypothesis.

Wijesiri (2019) stated in an article published by the Daily Mirror last August 2019, with the title A

Single Leadership Style Does Not Fit Every Situation, But Change With Care, that the personal

preferred or natural leadership style may cause leaders to typically adopt certain approach to working

to colleagues, perhaps tending to be more supportive and challenging. When deciding whether to

modify their natural style or approach to dealing with different situations, the leaders must consider the

needs or requirements of each situation first before they decide how to modify their style.
 An effective leader as quoted by Wijesiri (2019) should make a conscious decision to modify

their leadership style or approach based on the needs of each situation, but the leader must also ensure

to remain consistent by being authentic and by staying focused on the purpose of their job.

This study supported the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between leadership

styles and the student leaders’ performance. Wijesiri (2019) concluded that leadership style does not

matter, what matters most is how leaders deal with adverse situations using different approach.

REFERENCE: Baraceros E.L., (2016). Practical Research 2. Rex Bookstore, Inc.

Prieto N.G., (2017). Practical Research 2 for Senior High School. Lorimar Publishing,
Inc.
Cortez, S.I., (2020). Educational Manual in Writing a Research Manuscript Made Easy
for Senior High School Students: The Basics of Quantitative Research Design. John 14-
14 Book Publishing Center