Unit 3 Problem Definition and Hypothesis Formulation

Problem definition and
Hypothesis Formulation
Research Problem
• Question or issue to be examined
• Gap between actual and desired state
• “a good research problem defined as an
interrogative sentence or statement that
shows what relation exists between two or
more variables”- Kerlinger
Criteria for Selecting a Problem
• Interest
– Most important
• Significance
– Theoretical value
– Practical value
– Timeliness
– External review
• Manageability
– Expertise, time, resources
– Free from personal bias
Steps in Problem Formulation
• Identifying broad problem area (eg.

Marketing)
• Divide the subject area into sub-areas (eg. 4p)
• Decide about an area (eg. Price)
• Defining problem (eg. Price to sales)
• Decide about the objectives
Statement of the Problem
• A very specific statement which clearly identifies the
problem being studied; will usually identify the key
variables as well as give some information about the
scope of the study
• May be in either question(what, where, when, why,
how) or declarative form
• May include inherent sub-problems, if appropriate
• Formulation of problem statement takes place after an
initial review of related literature and the distillation
process
Finding a Research Question
• From where ???????
– Curiosity
– Information Gaps
– Controversy
– Replication
– Literature Review
– Other People
– ...???
Types of Research Questions
• Descriptive (What are the important factors
that influence the career choice of students?
How often students use facebook in a week)
• Relational (What is the relation between study
time and score?)
• Causal (Effect of learning on behavior, Effect of
exercise on heart beat)
Functions of Hypothesis
• It adequately explains all the facts connected with the
hypothesis.
• It enables to direct enquiry along right direction.
• It determines the method of verification as well as the procedure

of enquiry.
• It makes deductions possible.
• It forms the starting point of investigation.
• It makes observation and experiment possible.

Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is a guess about the solution to a
problem.
• It offers explanations for the relationships between

two variables that can be empirically tested.
• It provides the basis for investigation and ensures

proper direction in which the study should proceed.
• The research hypothesis is a paring down of the

problem into something testable and falsifiable.
Hypothesis (Contd…)
• Generally, it means a mere assumption or
supposition to be proved or disproved.
• Hypotheses specify the tentative relationship

between at least two variables which direct the
research activity to test it.
Types of hypothesis
• Simple Hypothesis
• Complex Hypothesis
• Empirical Hypothesis
• Null Hypothesis (Denoted by "HO")
• Alternative Hypothesis (Denoted by "H1")
• Logical Hypothesis
• Statistical Hypothesis
Types of Hypothesis
• Simple Hypothesis
A simple hypothesis is a prediction of the relationship
between two variables: the independent variable and
the dependent variable.
Counterproductive behaviors lead to decrease in
organizational commitment.
• Complex Hypothesis
A complex hypothesis examines the relationship
between two or more independent variables and two
or more dependent variables.
Types of Hypothesis
• Null Hypothesis
A null hypothesis (H0) exists when a researcher believes there is no
relationship between the two variables, or there is a lack of
information to state a scientific hypothesis.
There is no relationship between education and income
• Alternative Hypothesis
A proposition that is accepted if the null hypothesis is rejected. It is
an alternative assumption which is adopted after the null hypothesis
is not accepted.
There is relationship between education and income

Types of Hypothesis (Contd…)
• Logical Hypothesis
It is a proposed explanation possessing limited evidence. It
expresses a relationship whose inter-links can be joined on the
basis of logical explanation.
• Statistical Hypothesis
A statistical hypothesis is an examination of a portion of a
population. The hypothesis can be verified statistically.
• Empirical/Working Hypothesis
A hypothesis, that is accepted to put to test and work in a
research. It is a hypothesis that is assumed to be suitable to
explain certain facts and relationship of phenomenon.

Unit 3 Problem Definition and Hypothesis Formulation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 3 Problem Definition and Hypothesis Formulation

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 3 Problem Definition and Hypothesis Formulation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Problem definition and

• Identifying broad problem area (eg.

• It enables to direct enquiry along right direction.

• It determines the method of verification as well as the procedure

• It makes deductions possible.

• It forms the starting point of investigation.

• It makes observation and experiment possible.

• It offers explanations for the relationships between

• It provides the basis for investigation and ensures

• The research hypothesis is a paring down of the

• Hypotheses specify the tentative relationship

You might also like