Research Objective and Hypothesis

Presenter
Dr. S.M. Shafiqul Islam
Professor of Statistics
 Research Objectives
 Research objectives address the purpose of investigation and
types of knowledge to be generated out of one’s investigation.
Looking at the objectives of a research, one can anticipate
what is to be achieved by the study. While formulating
research objectives, we should keep in mind that the results
would be compared when the study is evaluated. Objectives
should be related to the statement of the research problem,
giving the sponsor specific, concrete, and achievable goals. It
is best to state the objectives of a study in general terms first
and then moving down to specific terms. From this point of
view, objectives are of two types: general and specific.
 Research Objectives (contd.)
 General Objective – The general objective of a study states what is
expected to be achieved by the study in general terms. For example, in a
study to examine the contribution of goat farming in poverty alleviation,
the general objective may be framed as follows:
• To assess the impact of investment in goat farming in poverty alleviation in
rural Bangladesh.
To study the utilization of credit in a rural area of Bangladesh,
the general objective may be
• To investigate the pattern and extent of utilization of the rural credit.
To study the factors associated with early marriage in rural
Bangladesh, the general objective may be
• To identify the influences of various factors on early marriage in rural
areas of Bangladesh.
 Research Objectives (contd.)
 Specific Objectives – Given that we have rightly stated the general
objective, it is advisable to break it down into several smaller logically
connected parts. These are normally referred to as specific objectives.
Specific objectives should systematically address the various aspects of
the problems defined under the statement of the problem and the key
factors that are assumed to influence or cause the problems.
For example, in the goat farming feasibility study, just cited above, the
specific objectives could be
• To assess the viability of investment in small-scale household goat farming
• To estimate the contribution of small-scale goat farming to the household
income and generating self-employment for women.
 Research Objectives (contd.)
To achieve the general objective of the study on utilization of credit in a rural area
of Bangladesh, as cited above, the specific objectives may be
• To estimate the prevalence of knowledge on and attitude of the general
population about the credit facilities provided by the money lenders
• To estimate the percentage of loanees
• To know the purposes for which the loan was sanctioned
• To identify the utilization pattern of loans
• To examine the main factors responsible for misuse or misdirection (if any) of
the loan.
To achieve the general objective of the factors influencing early marriage in rural
areas of Bangladesh, the specific objectives may be framed as follows:
• To examine the levels and patterns of early marriage in rural Bangladesh
• To investigate the differentials of early marriage in rural Bangladesh
• To identify the determinants of early marriage in rural Bangladesh.
 Research Hypothesis
 A research hypothesis is a logical supposition, a reasonable guess, and an
educational conjecture about what we expect to happen in our study.
 A research hypothesis is formulated with a view to predict an assumed relationship
between two or more variables of interest. If we think that a relationship exists
between the variables of interest, we first state it as a hypothesis and then test it.
 A hypothesis does not have to be correct. While the hypothesis predicts what the
researchers expect to see, the goal of research is to determine whether this guess
is right or wrong.
 Research hypothesis is of two types: Descriptive hypothesis and relational
hypothesis.
 Descriptive hypothesis – Descriptive hypotheses are propositions that typically
state the existence, size, form or distribution of some variables. For example,
• The public universities of Bangladesh are currently experiencing budget difficulties.
• The National Board of Revenue claims that over 15% potential tax payers falsify in
their income tax return.
• At most 70% of pre-school children in community A have protein-deficient diet.
• The average sales in a superstore exceeds taka 25 lac per month.
 Research Hypothesis (contd.)
 Relational hypotheses are the statements that describe relationship between
variables. For example,
• People who smoke have a higher risk of cancer than those who do not smoke.
 A relational hypothesis is again of two types: Correlational hypothesis and
causal hypothesis.
 Correlational hypothesis – A correlational hypothesis merely states that
variables occur together in some predictable relationships without implying
that one variable causes the other to change or take on different values. For
example,
• Males are more efficient than their female counterparts in typing.
• Saving habit is more pronounced among the Christians than people of other
religions.
• Participation of women in household decision making increases with age, their
level of education and number of surviving children.
 Research Hypothesis (contd.)
 Causal hypothesis – With causal hypothesis (also called explanatory
hypothesis), there is an implication that change in one variable causes a
change or leads to an effect on the other variable. A causal variable is
typically called independent variable and the other the dependent
variable. For example,
• An increase in family income leads to an increase in the income saved.
• Exposure of mothers to mass media increases their knowledge on
malnutrition among their children.
• Offer of discount in a departmental store enhances the sales volume.
• Goat farming contributes to poverty alleviation of rural people.