Constructing The

Hypothesis
&
The Research Design

CHAPTER 6 & 7
 Definition of a Hypothesis
Hypothesis primarily
arise from a set of Assertions become
“hunches” that are the basis of the
tested through a enquiry and are
study. called hypotheses.

Verification of an Hypothesis will be

assumption/ based upon either
assertion previous studies or
your own or
someone else’s
observation

Kumar(2014)
 Examples of Hypothesis

1)You are the races and you place a bet.

You bet on a hunch that a particular horse
will win(either based on previous races,
guess or assertions etc.)Only after the race
will you know if your hunch was right.

2) Suppose you have a hunch that there are

more smokers than non-smokers in your
class. To test your hunch, you either ask all
or some of the class if they are smokers.
You can then conclude whether your hunch
was right or wrong.
Kumar(2014)
 Importance of a Hypothesis

Helps to enhance the

validity of your
research/study because
it ensures you are
measuring out only what
Brings Clarity is needed and important.

Brings Specificity They may not be

and focus to essential for all
research problem. studies.

Kumar(2014)
 As a Researcher…………
You do not know about a phenomena, a
situation, the prevalence of a condition
or outcome of a program but you do
have a hunch to form the basis of
certain assumptions or guesses.

You test by collecting information that

will enable you conclude whether or not
your hunch was right.

Kumar(2014)
The Testing of A Hypothesis

Kumar(2014)
 Hypothesis in Quantitative and
Qualitative Research
The construction of a
Hypothesis is the second As qualitative researches are characterized
important consideration in the by an emphasis on describing,
understanding and exploring phenomena,
formulation of a research construction of hypothesis is not
problem in quantitative studies. significantly practiced.

The use of Hypothesis is

far more prevalent in
quantitative research

Kumar(2014)
 In Summary…………….

If a study aims to explore where very little is

known, hypothesis are not usually formulated.

If study aims to test an assertion by way of

causality, validate the presence of something ,
hypothesis can be constructed.

Kumar(2014)
The Research
Design

CHAPTER 7
 What is a Research Design?

This is the road map Details tasks to be

that you decide to follow performed to obtain
during your research answers to research
journey to find answers. questions.

According to
kerlinger(1986:279), a
research design is a plan,
structure and strategy of
investigation.
Kumar(2014)
 The Research Design should……

Specify procedures clearly Provide detailed

so that another researcher Name of the study design information on study
would be able to follow (e.g. experiment, cross- population, method of data
them exactly the same way. sectional design, etc.) collection, analysis
This should include: methods and ethical issues

Kumar(2014)
 The Theory of Causality &
The Research Design

When examining a cause-effect relationship:

• Study the impact on the independent variable
• Study the cause of change on the dependent variable
• Consider other affecting variables (extraneous variables) by using a control group to quantify the impact
• Consider random or change variables (changes in the dependent variable) due to mood of respondents or
ambiguity of research instrument

Kumar(2014)
 References

Kumar, R. (2014). Research methodology : A step-by-step guide for beginners(4th ed.).

London: SAGE.