DEFINITION OF HYPOTHESIS

We cannot take a single step forward in any inquiry unless we begin with a suggested explanation or

solution of the difficulty which originated it. Such tentative explanations are suggested to us by

something in the subject-matter and by our previous knowledge. When they are formulated as

propositions, they are called hypotheses. The hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a tentative

solution of a problem. The research activities are planned to verify the hypothesis and not to find

out the solution of the problem or to seek an answer of a question. It is very essential to a

research worker to understand the meaning and nature of hypothesis. The researcher always plan

or formulate a hypothesis in the beginning of the problem.

The word hypothesis consists of two words: Hypo + thesis = Hypothesis. ‘Hypo’ means tentative

or subject to the verification and ‘Thesis’ means statement about solution of a problem. The

word meaning of the term hypothesis is a tentative statement about the solution of the problem.

Hypothesis offers a solution of the problem that is to be verified empirically and based on some

rationale. Another meaning of the word hypothesis which is composed of two words – ‘Hypo’

means composition of two or more variables which is to be verified. ‘Thesis’ means position of

these variables in the specific frame of reference. This is the operational meaning of the term

hypothesis. Hypothesis is the composition of some variables which have some specific position

or role of the variables i.e. to be verified empirically. It is a proposition about the factual and

conceptual elements. Hypothesis is called a leap into the dark. It is a brilliant guess about the

solution of a problem.
A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis

is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. To be complete the

hypothesis must include three components - ●The variables; ●The population; and ●The relationship

between the variables. Remember, 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

Examples
A research hypothesis is a prediction of the outcome of a study. The prediction may be based on an educated guess or a formal
theory. Example 1 is a hypothesis for a nonexperimental study.
Example 1: It is hypothesized that first grade girls will show better reading comprehension than first grade boys.
In Example 1, the author is predicting that s/he will find higher comprehension among girls than boys. To test it, a
nonexperimental study would be appropriate because nothing in the hypothesis suggests that treatments will be given.
A simple research hypothesis predicts a relationship between two variables. From your study of variables, it should be clear that
the two variables in Example 1 are (1) gender and (2) reading comprehension. The hypothesis states that reading comprehension
is related to gender.
Example 2 is a hypothesis for an experimental study.
Example 2: It is hypothesized that children who are shown a video with mild violence will be more aggressive on the playground
than those who are shown a similar video without the violence.
In Example 2, the independent variable is violence (mild vs. none), and the dependent variable is aggressiveness on the
playground.
The hypotheses in Examples 1 and 2 are examples of directional hypotheses. In a directional hypothesis, we predict which group
will be higher or have more of something.
Sometimes we have a nondirectional hypothesis. Consider Example 3.
Example 3: It is hypothesized that the child-rearing practices of Tribe A are different from those of Tribe B.
The author of Example 3 is saying that there will be a difference but does not predict the direction of the difference. This is
right or wrong. When conducting an experiment, researchers might explore a number of different factors

to determine which ones might contribute to the ultimate outcome. In many cases, researchers may find

that the results of an experiment do not support the original hypothesis. When writing up these results,

the researchers might suggest other options that should be explored in future studies.
 Hypothesis: A hypothesis is different from both of these. It is the presumptive

statement of a proposition which the investigator seeks to prove. It is a

condensed generalization. This generalization requires knowledge of principles

of things or essential characteristics which pertain to entire class of phenomena.

The theory when stated as a testable proposition formally and clearly and

subjected to empirical or experimental verification is known as hypothesis. The

hypothesis furnishes the germinal basis of the whole investigation and remains

to test it out by facts. The hypothesis is based on some earlier theory and some

rationale whereas postulates are taken as granted true. An assumption is the

assumed solution of a major problem. It may be partially true. The scientific

research process is based on some hypotheses. The nature of sciences and

mathematics are based on postulates. The statistic is based on some

assumptions which are considered approximate science. The assumptions are

helpful in conducting a research work in behavioral sciences.

4.3 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;

▪ the key abstract concepts involved in the research; and

▪ its relationship to both the problem statement and the literature review.

The following are the main

features of a hypothesis – It…

 Is conceptual in nature.

 Is a verbal statement in a declarative form.

 Has the empirical referent.

 Indicates the tentative relationship between two or more variables.

 Is a powerful tool of advancement of knowledge, consistent with existing

knowledge and conducive to further enquiry.

 Can be tested, verifiable or falsifiable.

 Is not moral or ethical questions.

 Is neither too specific nor to general.

 Is a prediction of consequences.

 Is considered valuable even if proven false.

FUNCTIONS / ROLES OF HYPOTHESIS

A hypothesis, which is a provisional formulation, plays significant role in empirical or

socio-legal

research. It not only navigates research in a proper direction but also

contributes in testing or suggesting theories and describing a social or legal

phenomenon.
Role of hypothesis in navigating research: A hypothesis, regardless of its

source, states what a researcher is looking for. It also suggests some plausible

explanations about the probable relationships between the concepts or variables

indicated therein. In fact, it navigates the research. Without it, no further step is

possible in empirical research or non-doctrinal legal research. A hypothesis

helps the researcher in drawing ‘meaningful conclusions’ supported by

‘relevant’ empirical data. A hypothesis serves as a sound guide to: (i) the kind

of data that must be collected in order to answer the research problem; (ii) the

way in which the data should be organized most efficiently and meaningfully,

and (iii) the type of methods that can be used for making analysis of the data.

Role of ‘tested’ hypothesis: A hypothesis needs to be empirically tested to draw

some inferences about the initially posited relationship between the variables

indicated in the hypothesis. Therefore, when it is empirically tested (or not), the

initially assumed relationship between the concepts or variables, as the case

may be, becomes a proved fact. Once a hypothesis is established, it ceases to be

a hypothesis.

A hypothesis also performs the following significant functions –

Test theories: A hypothesis, when empirically proved, helps us in testing an

existing theory. A theory is not a mere speculation, but it is built upon facts. It

is a set of inter-related propositions or statements organized into a deductive

system that offers an explanation of some phenomenon. Facts constitute a

theory when they are assembled, ordered and seen in a relationship. Therefore,

when a hypothesis is ‘tested’, it not only supports the existing theory that
accounts for description of some social phenomenon but also in a way ‘tests’ it.

Suggest new theories: A hypothesis, even though related to some existing

theory, may, after tested, reveal certain ‘facts’ that are not related to the

existing theory or disclose relationships other than those stated in the theory. It

does not support the existing theory but suggests a new theory.

Describe social phenomenon: A hypothesis also performs a descriptive

function. Each time a hypothesis is tested empirically, it tells us something

about the phenomenon it is associated with. If the hypothesis is empirically

supported, then our information about the phenomenon increases. Even if the

hypothesis is refuted, the test tells us something about the phenomenon we did

not know before.

Suggest social policy: A hypothesis, after its testing, may highlight such ‘ills’

of the existing social or legislative policy. In such a situation, the tested

hypothesis helps us in formulating (or reformulating) a social policy. It may

also suggest or hint at probable solutions to the existing social problem(s) and

their implementation.

The hypotheses play significant role in the scientific studies. The following are

some of the important role and functions of the hypothesis -

 Helps in the testing of the theories.

 Serves as a great platform in the investigation activities.

 Provides guidance to the research work or study.

 Hypothesis sometimes suggests theories.

 Helps in knowing the needs of the data.

 Develops the theory.

 Also acts as a bridge between the theory and the investigation.

 Provides a relationship between phenomena in such a way that it leads to

the empirical testing of the relationship.

 Helps in knowing the most suitable technique of analysis.

 Helps in the determination of the most suitable type of research.

 Provides knowledge about the required sources of data.

 Research becomes focused under the direction of the hypothesis.

 It is very helpful in carrying out an enquiry of a certain activity.

 Helps in reaching conclusions, if it is correctly drawn.

There are five main functions of hypothesis in the research process suggested by Mc.

Ashan-

1. It is a temporary solution of a problem concerning with some truth which

enables an investigator to start his/her research works.

2. It offers a basis in establishing the specifics what to study for and may

provide possible solutions to the problem.

3. Each hypothesis may lead to formulate another hypothesis.

4. A preliminary hypothesis may take the shape of final hypothesis.

5. Each hypothesis provides the investigator with definite statement which

may be objectively tested and accepted or rejected and leads for

interpreting results and drawing conclusions that is related to original

purpose.
 Types of Hypotheses

1)Descriptive Hypothesis

Descriptive hypothesis contains only one variable thereby it is also called as univariate

hypothesis. Descriptive hypotheses typically state the existence, size, form, or

distribution of some variable.

The first hypothesis contains only one variable. It only shows the distribution of the

level of commitment among the officers of the organization which is higher than

average. Such a hypothesis is an example of a Descriptive Hypothesis.

Researchers usually use research questions rather than descriptive hypothesis. For

example a question can be: What is the level of commitment of the officers in your

organization?

2)Relational Hypothesis

These are the propositions that describe a relationship between two variables. The

relationship could be non-directional or directional, positive or negative, causal or

simply correlational.

While stating the relationship between the two variables, if the terms of positive,

negative, more than, or less than are used then such hypotheses are directional because

the direction of the relationship between the variables (positive/negative) has been

indicated (see hypotheses 3 and 4). These hypotheses are relational as well as

directional. The directional hypothesis is the one in which the direction of the

relationship has been specified.

Non-directional hypothesis is the one in which the direction of the association has not

been specified. The relationship may be very strong but whether it is positive or
 negative has not been postulated (see hypothesis )

3)Correlational hypotheses

State merely that the variables occur together in some specified manner without implying that

one causes the other. Such weak claims are often made when we believe that there are more

basic causal forces that affect both variables. For example:

Level of job commitment of the officers is positively associated with their level of efficiency.

Here we do not make any claim that one variable causes the other to change. That will be

possible only if we have control on all other factors that could influence our dependent variable.

4)Explanatory (causal) hypotheses

Imply the existence of, or a change in, one variable causes or leads to a change in the other

variable. This brings in the notions of independent and the dependent variables. Cause means to

“help make happen.” So the independent variable may not be the sole reason for the existence

of, or change in the dependent variable. The researcher may have to identify the other possible

causes, and control their effect in case the causal effect of independent variable has to be

determined on the dependent variable. This may be possible in an experimental design of

research.

Different ways to state hypotheses

• Hi motivation causes high efficiency.

• Hi motivation leads to high efficiency.

• Hi motivation is related to high efficiency.

• Hi motivation influences high efficiency.

• Hi motivation is associated with hi efficiency.

• Hi motivation results in high efficiency.

• If high motivation then high efficiency.

• The higher the motivation, the higher the efficiency

5). Null Hypothesis

It is used for testing the hypothesis formulated by the researcher. Researchers treat evidence

that supports a hypothesis differently from the evidence that opposes it. They give negative

evidence more importance than to positive one. It is because the negative evidence tarnishes the

hypothesis. It shows that the predictions made by the hypothesis are wrong. The null hypothesis

simply states that there is no relationship between the variables or the relationship between the

variables is “zero.” That is how the symbolically null hypothesis is denoted as “H0”. For

example:

H0 = There is no relationship between the level of job commitment and the level of

efficiency. Or H0 = The relationship between level of job commitment and the level of

efficiency is zero. Or

The two variables are independent of each other.

It does not take into consideration the direction of association (i.e. H0 is non directional), which

may be a second step in testing the hypothesis. First we look whether or not there is an

association then we go for the direction of association and the strength of association. Experts

recommend that we test our hypothesis indirectly by testing the null hypothesis. In case we have

any credibility in our hypothesis then the research data should reject the null hypothesis.

Rejection of the null hypothesis leads to the acceptance of the alternative hypothesis.

6). Alternative Hypothesis

the variables under study. In our example it could be: there is a relationship between the

level of job commitment and the level of efficiency. Not only there is an association

between the two variables under study but also the relationship is perfect which is

indicated by the number “1”. Thereby the alternative hypothesis is symbolically denoted

as “H1”. It can be written like this:

H1: There is a relationship between the level of job commitment of the officers and

their level of efficiency.

7)Research Hypothesis

Research hypothesis is the actual hypothesis formulated by the researcher which may

also suggest the nature of relationship i.e. the direction of relationship. In our example

it could be:

Level of job commitment of the officers is positively associated with their level of efficiency.

The Role of the Hypothesis

In research, a hypothesis serves several important functions:

1. It guides the direction of the study: Quite frequently one comes across a

situation when the researcher tries to collect all possible information on which

he could lay his hands on. Later on he may find that only part of it he could

utilize. Hence there was an unnecessary use of resources on trivial concerns. In

such a situation, hypothesis limits what shall be studied and what shall not be.

2. It identifies facts that are relevant and those that are not: Who shall be

studied (married couples), in what context they shall be studied (their consumer

decision making), and what shall be studied (their individual perceptions of

3. It suggests which form of research design is likely to be the most

appropriate: Depending upon the type of hypothesis a decision is made about

the relative appropriateness of different research designs for the study under

consideration. The design could be a survey design, experimental design,

content analysis, case study, participation observation study, and/or Focus

Group Discussions.

4. It provides a framework for organizing the conclusions

of the findings: The Characteristics of a Testable Hypothesis

• Hypothesis must be conceptually clear. The concepts used in the hypothesis

should be clearly defined, operationally if possible. Such definitions should be

commonly accepted and easily communicable among the research scholars.

• Hypothesis should have empirical referents. The variables contained in the

hypothesis should be empirical realities. In case these are not empirical realities

then it will not be possible to make the observations. Being handicapped by the

data collection, it may not be possible to test the hypothesis. Watch for words

like ought, should, bad.

• Hypothesis must be specific. The hypothesis should not only be specific to a

place and situation but also these should be narrowed down with respect to its

operation. Let there be no global use of concepts whereby the researcher is

using such a broad concept which may all inclusive and may not be able to tell

anything. For example somebody may try to propose the relationship between
 urbanization and family size. Yes urbanization influences in declining the size

of families. But urbanization is such comprehensive variable which hide the

operation of so many other factor which emerge as part of the urbanization

process. These factors could be the rise in education levels, women’s levels of

education, women empowerment, emergence of dual earner families, decline in

patriarchy, accessibility to health services, role of mass media, and could be

more. Therefore the global use of the word ‘urbanization’ may not tell much.

Hence it is suggested to that the hypothesis should be specific.

• Hypothesis should be related to available techniques of research. Hypothesis may

have empirical reality; still we are looking for tools and techniques that could be used

for the collection of data. If the techniques are not there then the researcher is

handicapped. Therefore, either the techniques are already available or the researcher is

in a position to develop suitable techniques for the study.

• Hypothesis should be related to a body of theory. Hypothesis has to be supported by

theoretical argumentation. For this purpose the research may develop his/her theoretical

framework which could help in the generation of relevant hypothesis. For the

development of a framework the researcher shall depend on the existing body of

knowledge. In such an effort a connection between the study in hand and the existing

body of knowledge can be established. That is how the study could benefit from the

existing knowledge and later on through testing the hypothesis could contribute to the

reservoir of knowledge.

How to Write Hypothesis

Writing a hypothesis is an important part of any scientific experiment. By clearly stating your
hypothesis, you can focus your research and make sure that your results are relevant to your

question. Here are a few tips on how to write a good hypothesis:

• Make sure that your hypothesis is clear and concise. A good hypothesis should be able

to be stated in one or two sentences.

• Your hypothesis should be based on your research question. Make sure that you have

done enough background research to know what you want to test with your experiment.

• Be specific when writing your hypothesis. For example, if you are testing the effects of

a new drug, make sure to state what the drug is and how you think it will affect the body.

• Keep your hypotheses achievable. You should be able to design an experiment that will

test your hypothesis.

• Make sure that your hypothesis is testable with the resources you have. For example, if

you are testing the effects of a drug on humans, make sure that you can access human subjects

for your experiment.

Advantages of Hypothesis

• A hypothesis can guide research by providing a framework for scientists to work within.

• It can lead to new insights by suggesting possible explanations for observed phenomena.

• It allows scientists to make predictions about what they think will happen in future

experiments or observations.

Limitations of Hypothesis

• One limitation of hypotheses is that they are often based on limited evidence. This can

lead to hypotheses that are not well supported by data.

• Another limitation is that hypotheses can be difficult to test. This can make it difficult to
determine whether a hypothesis is correct or not.