By Niranjan H N

CHAPTER 6
Formulation of Hypothesis
 HYPOTHESIS
• The word hypothesis consists of
two words –Hypo+Thesis. ‘Hypo’
means tentative or subject to the
verification. ‘Thesis’ means
statement about solution of the
problem.
  Theword hypothesis consists of two
words –Hypo+Thesis. ‘Hypo’ means
tentative or subject to the verification.
HYPOTHESIS ‘Thesis’ means statement about
solution of the problem.
Definition by John W. Best

• “A hypothesis is a statement temporarily

accepted as true in the light of what is, at the
time, known about a phenomenon, and it is
employed as a basis for action in the search
for new, truth, when the hypothesis is fully
established, it may take the form of facts,
principles and theories.”
 Nature of Hypothesis:

(i) Conceptual: Conceptual elements in the framework are involved in a

hypothesis.
(ii) Verbal statement in a declarative form: It is a verbal expression of ideas
and concepts. It is not merely mental idea but in the verbal form, the idea is ready
enough for empirical verification.
(iii) It represents the tentative relationship between two or more variables.
(iv) Forward or future oriented: A hypothesis is future-oriented. It relates to
the future verification not the past facts and information.
(v) Pivot of a scientific research: All research activities are designed for
verification of hypothesis.
Importance of a Hypothesis

Clear and
Investigator Focuses
specific
’s eyes research
goals

Prevents
Links Guiding
blind
together light
research
 Other Importance

• It provides direction to research and prevent the review of irrelevant literature and the collection
of useful or excess data.
• It sensitizes the investigator certain aspects of situation which are irrelevant from the standpoint
of problem at hand.
• It enables the investigator to understand with greater clarity his problem and its ramification.
• It is an indispensable research instrument, for it builds a bridge between the problem and the
location of empirical evidence that may solve the problem.
• It provides the investigator with the most efficient instrument for exploring and explaining the
unknown facts.
• It provides a framework for drawing conclusion.
• It stimulates the investigator for further research.
Parameters Of A Good Hypothesis

Ask Be Make
Be Logical And Make Sure Your
Ask Yourself
Use Precise Hypothesis Is
Questions
Language Testable
Forms of Hypothesis

DIRECTIONAL NON-DIRECTIONAL
HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS
Directional Hypothesis
A directional hypothesis connotes an expected direction in the
relationship or difference between variables.
This type of hypothesis developer appears more certain of
anticipated evidence.
it reveals two possible conditions.

additional evidence is scarcely needed.

researcher has examined the variables very thoroughly and the

available evidence supports the statement of a particular
anticipated outcome.
Example : There will be a positive relationship between extra
coaching and academic achievements
 Non-Directional Hypothesis

This hypothesis is stated in the null form

which is an assertion that no relationship or
no difference exists between or among the
variables.
Difference can be in any directions

Example : There will be a difference in

adaptability of fathers and mothers towards
rearing of their children
 Question form
Simplest level of empirical
observation.

It divides hypothesis forms into

acceptable / rejectable categories
 Declarative Statement
• Provides an anticipated relationship or difference
between variables.
• It is merely a declaration of the independent variables
effect on the criterion variable.
• When researcher makes a positive statement about the
outcome if the study, the hypothesis takes the
declarative form
• Ex: There will be a significant difference in the
instructional standards of Boys and girls in school
 It is a negative statement.

It states that there is no relationship between

variables concerned

Null It can be tested statistically so it is termed as

statistical hypothesis
Hypothesi Also called testing hypothesis.

s
Denoted by H0.

EX: There is no significant change in an

individual’s work habits whether they get eight
hours or nine hours of sleep.
 Denoted by H1

Alternativ An alternative hypothesis is a claim

e that is contradictory to the null
hypothesis. To disprove a null
Hypothesi hypothesis, researchers will seek to
s discover an alternative hypothesis.
Work habits improve during the
times when one gets 8 hours of
sleep only, as opposed to 9 hours
of sleep only.
Logical Hypothesis
A logical hypothesis is a proposed explanation
possessing limited evidence.

In reference to these examples, there is currently no

evidence to support these hypotheses. However, we can
form a hypothesis based on the data available to us to
draw a logical conclusion.

Ex: Beings from Mars would not be able to breathe the

air in the atmosphere of the Earth.
 Predication Form
Hypothesis

It allows the researcher worker to It is more useful in action

state principles which he expects
research studies.
to emerge from the experiment.
Sources of hypothesis

Institution &
Theory Observation Personal
Experience

Findings Of Continuity Of
Studies Research
What are the key components of
a hypothesis?

If [cause], Then [effect],

A definition of
Because the problem, a
[rationale]. proposed
solution, and a
result.
What is the format of a hypothesis?

A hypothesis often follows a basic format of:

“If {this happens} then {this will happen}.”

One way to structure your hypothesis is to describe what will

happen to the dependent variable if you make changes to the
independent variable.
 Formulation of Testable
Hypothesis

Specif Identif
Define Study Make
y y
Specify
Make sure
the nature Identify
Define Study the Variables
of Study
Variables variables are
relationshi Population
testable
p
 Rewards increase reading
achievements

Example
of
Hypothesi Rewards decrease reading
achievements
s
Rewards have no effect
on reading achievements
 1. Define
Variables
What do you want
Clearly defined
test?

Quantifiable Measurable
Example
• Will you test that rewards increase reading
achievement? Or rewards decrease reading
achievement?
 Specify independent
and depedent variables
2. Study
In-Depth
the Rigorous questions

Variables
Ex: you need to intense
study how rewards
increase reading
achievements?
 Identify what relationship exist
between variables

3. Specify
the nature What variable influence

of
another variable

relationship
Ex: How Rewards impact
achievements? If reward plays
a key role in reading
achievements, then reward is
the independent variable.
 Target Population
4. Identify
Study
The population in
Population research we mean the
entire group of
individuals is going to
study.
 The hypothesis would be worthless if its
cant be tested

5. Make Your research study must accept or

reject a variable.
Sure Variables you must need to test.
Variables
Testable variables can only be accepted
are Testable or rejected.
Moreover, the sole aim of a research
hypothesis is to test variables in the
long run.