RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

HYPOTHESIS

INTRODUCTION: MEANING OF HYPOTHESIS

If we proceed towards some destination for which we don’t know the way, we try to form an
idea about the direction to proceed and by trial and error, we reach that goal. The primary idea is
called a hypothesis.

Hypothesis is an assumption that is made on the basis of some evidence. This is the initial point
of any investigation that translates the research questions into a prediction. It includes
components like variables, population and the relation between the variables. A research
hypothesis is a hypothesis that is used to test the relationship between two or more variables.

DEFINITIONS

Werkmeister, “The guesses he makes are the hypothesis which either solve the problems or
guide him to further investigation”.

Goode and Hatt, “Hypothesis is a preposition which can be put to test to determine its validity”.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPOTHESIS

Following are the characteristics of hypothesis:

 The hypothesis should be clear and precise to consider it to be reliable.

 If the hypothesis is a relational hypothesis, then it should be stating the relationship
between variables.
 The hypothesis must be specific and should have scope for conducting more tests.
 The way of explanation of the hypothesis must be very simple and it should also be
understood that the simplicity of the hypothesis is not related to its significance.

NATURE OF HYPOTHESIS:-

The hypothesis is a clear statement of what is intended to be investigated. It should be specified

before research is conducted and openly stated in reporting the results. This allows to: -
  Identify the research objectives.
 Identify the key abstract concepts involved in the research.
 Identify its relationship to both the problem statement and the literature review.
 A problem cannot be scientifically solved unless it is reduced to hypothesis form.
 It is a powerful tool of advancement of knowledge, consistent with existing knowledge
and conducive to further enquiry.
 It can be tested – verifiable or falsifiable.
 Hypotheses are not moral or ethical questions.
 It is neither too specific nor to general.
 It is a prediction of consequences.
 It is considered valuable even if proven false.

SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS:-

A good hypothesis can only be derived from experience in research. Though hypothesis should
precede the collection of data, but some degree of data collection, literature review or a pilot
study will help in the development and gradual refinement of the hypothesis. A researcher should
have quality of an alert mind to derive a hypothesis and quality of critical mind of rejecting
faulty hypothesis.
The following sources can help the researcher in coming up with a good hypothesis:-

 Review of literature.
 Discussion with the experts in the given field to understand the problem, its origin and
objectives in seeking a solution.
 Intuition of the researcher also sometimes helps in forming a good hypothesis.
 Previous empirical studies done on the given area.
 The resemblance between the phenomenon.

 Observations from past studies, present-day experiences and from the competitors.
 Scientific theories.
 General patterns that influence the thinking process of people.
 PROBLEMS IN FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS

According to Goode and Hatt, the main difficulties faced by a researcher to formulate
hypothesis are the following:-

 Absence of clear theoretical framework.

 Lack of ability to utilize that theoretical framework logically.
 Failure to be acquainted with available research techniques so as to be able to phrase the
hypothesis properly.

STEPS IN FORMULATION OF HYPOTHESIS

 Firstly, the researcher has to observe the phenomenon.

 Secondly, he should identify the reflection that is cause and consequence of the
phenomenon.
 Thirdly, he should logically deduct the fact relating to the observed phenomenon.
 Lastly, he should keep it ready for verification with the empirical situation.

UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS: -

Research Problems are too general by themselves to enable us to carryout meaningful analysis.
They need to be specified in a more focussed way. Hypotheses are specific statements that relate
to the problem, the answers to which are likely to be yes or no, depending upon what is
uncovered from the research. Examples of Hypothesis can be: -
 Suicide is related to general level of religiosity/secularisation of society.
 Alienation and political participation are negatively related.

Such statements specify links between different phenomena, in order to explain different patterns
of behaviour that appear to occur. However, such patterns of association do not necessarily
demonstrate that a causal relationship exists. We cannot for an instance say, ‘socio-economic
deprivation causes suicide.’ If that was the case, then all those in Britain defined by various
yardsticks as living in a state of relative poverty would inevitably commit suicide. This is very
unlikely to happen.
VARIABLE:- So, to understand the types of hypothesis, we need to understand the concept of
variables first. The variables are empirical properties that take two or more values or in other
words a variable is any entity that can take on different values. In simple terms, anything that can
vary or that is not constant can be considered a variable. For instance, age can be considered a
variable because age can take different values for different people or for the same person at
different times. Similarly, country can be considered a variable because a person’s country can
be assigned a value. A variable is a concept or abstract idea that can be described in measurable
terms. In research, this term refers to the measurable characteristics, qualities, traits, or attributes
of a particular individual, object or situation being studied. Variables differ in many respects,
most notably in the role they are given in our research and in the type of measures that can be
applied to them. The statement of problem usually provides only general direction for the
research study. It does not include all the specific information. There is some basic terminology
that is extremely important in how we communicate specific information about research
problems and research in general. So, weight, height, income are all examples of variables. In
Research, there is a need to make a distinction between various kinds of variables. There are
many classifications given for variables. We will try to understand only the Dependent
Variable and Independent Variable.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES:- The variables which are manipulated or controlled or

changed. These are also known as manipulated variables. Researchers often mistake independent
variable and assume that it is independent of any manipulation. It is called independent because
variable is isolated from any other factor. In research, we try to determine whether there is a
cause and effect relationship. In fact, when you are looking for some kind of relationship
between variables you are trying to see if the independent variable causes some kind of change in
the other variables, or dependent variables.

DEPENDANT VARIABLES:- Dependent variables are the outcome variables and are the
variables for which we calculate statistics. The variable which changes on account of
independent variable is known as dependent variable. It is something that depends on other
factors. For example, a test score could be a dependent variable because it could change
depending on several factors such as how much you studied, how much sleep you got the night
before you took the test, or even how hungry you were when you took it. Usually when you are
 looking for a relationship between two things you are trying to find out what makes the
dependent variable change the way it does. As we have discussed that a variable is an image,
perception or concept that can be measured, hence capable of taking on different values. The
variables that you wish to explain are regarded as dependant variables or criterion variables. The
other variable expected to explain the change in the dependant variable is referred to as an
independent variable or predictor variable. The dependant variable is the expected outcome of
the independent variable and independent variable produce dependant variables. Variables can
have three types of relationships among them.
 A positive relationship is one where an increase in one would lead to increase in the other.
(MORE SUGARINTAKE/STRESS: MORE DIABETIC)
 A negative relationship is one where an increase in one variable lead to decrease in the other.
(MORE WALK: LESS DIABETES)
 A zero relationship is one which shows no significant relationship between the two variables.
(LESS SALT: MORE SUGAR)

Once we have understood variables, we can discuss the various types of hypothesis:-

TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS:-

1. Research Hypothesis
The Research Hypothesis could be understood in terms of Simple Research hypothesis
and Complex Research Hypothesis.

1.1 Simple/ Basic Hypothesis

It shows the relationship between two variables where one is called the independent variable or
‘cause’ and other is called the dependent variable or ‘effect’. Examples:-

 Global Warming causes icebergs to melt. (Here the cause is global warming and the effect is
melting of icebergs).
 Higher the unemployment/ poverty, higher would be the rate of crime in society.
 Lower the use of fertilizers, lower would be the agricultural productivity.

1.2 Complex Hypothesis

Complex hypothesis is that one in which there are multiple dependent as well as independent
variables. Examples:-

 Global warming causes icebergs to melt which in turn causes major changes in weather
patterns.
 Higher the poverty, higher the illiteracy in a society, higher will be the rate of crime.
(three variables: two independent variable and one dependent)

The difference between a simple hypothesis and a complex Hypothesis:-

Simple Hypothesis: Relationship exists between two variables only.

Complex Hypothesis: Relationship exists between multiple variables.

2. Empirical/ Working Hypothesis

A hypothesis that is accepted to put to test or investigation and work on in a research, is called a
working hypothesis. It is an only an assumption during the formulation phase, but when it is
tested it is no longer just an idea or notion. It’s actually going through some changes around those
independent variables.

Example: Cotton clothes are better for summer than velvet clothes.

3. Null/Zero Hypothesis

It is contrary to the empirical hypothesis, as it states that there is no relationship between

dependent and independent variable. It essentially states that the data and variables being tested
do not actually exist. It is made with the intention where the researcher wants to disapprove.
These are used when the researcher believes there is no relationship between two variables or
 when there is inadequate theoretical or empirical information to state a research hypothesis. The
null hypothesis represents a theory that has been put forward, either because it is believed to be
true or because it is to be used as a basis for argument, but has not been proved. A null
hypothesis has its purpose.

Example: Water does not affect the growth of a plant.

4. Alternative Hypothesis:
The alternative hypothesis is a statement of what a hypothesis test is set up to establish.
Designated by: H1 or Ha. It is opposite of Null Hypothesis. It is only reached if Ha is
rejected. Frequently “alternative” is actual desired conclusion of the researcher.

We give special consideration to the null hypothesis. This is due to the fact that the null
hypothesis relates to the statement being tested, whereas the alternative hypothesis relates to the
statement to be accepted if when the null is rejected. Rejecting the null hypothesis then, suggests
that the alternative hypothesis may be true. For example: Ha= the males visited cinema more
than females. Ho= the males and females do not differ in respect of the frequency of seeing
cinema. So, Alternative hypothesis is usually the one which one wishes to prove and the Null
hypothesis is the one which one wishes to disapprove.

IMPORTANCE OF HYPOTHESIS:-
Hypothesis though an important part of research may not be required in all types of research.
Whenever possible, a hypothesis is recommended for all major studies to explain observed facts,
conditions or behaviour and to serve as a guide in the research process.
 Hypothesis facilitates the extension of knowledge in an area. They provide tentative explanations
of facts and phenomena, and can be tested and validated. It sensitizes the investigator to certain
aspects of the situations which are relevant from the standpoint of the problem in hand.
 Hypothesis provide the researcher with rational statements, consisting of elements expressed in
a logical order of relationships which seeks to describe or to explain conditions or events, that
have yet not been confirmed by facts. The hypothesis enables the researcher to relate logically
 known facts to intelligent guesses about unknown conditions. It is a guide to the thinking process
and the process of discovery.
 Hypothesis provides direction to the research. It defines what is relevant and what is irrelevant.
The hypothesis tells the researcher what he needs to do and find out in his study. Thus it prevents
the review of irrelevant literature and provides a basis for selecting the sample and the research
procedure to be used in the study.
 Hypothesis implies the statistical techniques needed in the analysis of data, and the relationship
between the variables to be tested. It also helps to delimit his study in scope so that it does not
become broad or unwieldy.
 Hypothesis provides the basis for reporting the conclusion of the study. It serves as a framework
for drawing conclusions. In other word, we can say that it provides the outline for setting
conclusions in a meaningful way.
 So, Hypothesis has a very important place in research although it occupies a very small place in
the body of a thesis.