Hypotheses

Without the hypothesis research is unfocussed and random

empirical wandering. It provides you direction
“Hypo” means “less than”
“Thesis” means generally held view.
Hypothesis means less than generally held vew
A tentative generaliation and a predictive statement with
causal relation ship : Y=f(x)
Unless you do not have necessary knowledge in the
chosen field, do not have ability to utilise the theoretical
knowledge or you do not have knowledge to utilise the
techniques – you will definitely opt for it. Only in
exploratory research it may not be necessary.
Meaning and definitions:
“Hypo” means “less than”
“Thesis” means generally held view.
Hypothesis means less than generally held view.
According to Moshin, “ hypothesis is a conjectural statement
about a relationship among two or more variables.”
According to Lundberg, “a hypothesis is a tentative
genralisation, the validity of which remains to be tested. In
its most elementary stage the hypothesis may be any hunch,
guess, imaginative idea which becomes the basis for action
or investigation”.
According to Goode and Hatt, “ a hypothesis looks forward.
It is a proposition which can be put to a test to determine its
validity. It may seem contrary to, or in accord with
commonsense. It may prove to be correct or incorrect. In
any event, however, it leads to an empirical test.”
Research Question and Hypothesis:
A research question and hypothesis are similar in nature
except for the aspect that a research question does not predict
the out come of the research where as a hypothesis predicts
the out come. Research questions are generally used in the
exploratory research or in the areas where a phenomena is
studied marginally. The research is carried to know indications
rather than causality. Hypothesis tentative, testable
genralisation regarding the relationship between variables. For
Eg, Poverty α rate of criminality.

Relationship between theory and hypothesis:

Formulation of deductions from the existing theory constitute
hypothesis. If these deductions are proved they become part
of theory. According William H. George, “ theory is an elaborate
hypothesis”. Every worthwhile theory permits the formulation of
hypothesis.
Characteristics of hypothesis:
❖ Hypothesis should be clear, specific and precise
❖ Hypothesis should be capable of being tested, have
empirical referents
❖ Hypothesis should establish relationship between variable
must be compatible with the current knowledge in the area
concerned
❖ Amenable to explanation
❖ It should be in its most parsimonious form
❖ It should have logical consistency
❖ It should be operationally defined
Sources hypothesis:
❑ According to Goode and Hatt the general culture in which a
science develops furnishes many of its basic hypothesis.
❑ Hypothesis originates in science itself.
❑ Theory gives direction to research by stating what is known.
Logical deduction from the theory leads to new problems.
Science is twined with values and it influences the tentative
genrealisation. Learning experience always influences the
sketching of the hypothesis.
❑ Socialisation process in learning a science also affects the
hypothesis which will be developed by the scientists.
❑ Analogies are useful sources of hypothesis: Julian Huxley
opined that casual observations in nature or in the
framework of another science may be a fertile source of
hypothesis.
❑ Comparative studies are invigorating sources of research.
❑ Hypothesis are also consequences of personal,
idiosyncratic experiences.
 Difficulties in
formulating
hypothesis:

• Absence of or the absence of

Goode and Hatt
observed that the knowledge of a clear theoretical
researcher often framework .
suffers from the • Lack of ability to utilize the
following deficiencies theoretical framework logically.
which pose problems • Failure to be acquainted with
in formulating good, available research techniques so as to
definite and testable
able to phrase the hypothesis
hypothesis.
properly.
Types of hypothesis:
Hypothesis is variedly classified based upon frequency of
occurrence, characteristics, causality, level of abstraction and
the like

Goode and Hatt classifies hypothesis based upon the level of

abstraction as follows:

Hypothesis stating the existence of empirical uniformities:

Often this type of hypothesis represent the scientific
examination of common-sense propositions. Such types of
hypothesis proceed on the premise that “what every body
knows” is not known till it has been tested and proved.
Hypothesis concerning complex ideal types: These
hypotheses aim at testing the existence of logically derived
relationships between empirical uniformities. The phenomena
of land values, industrial concentrations, types of business
which show unquestionable uniformities in distribution can be
logically analysed and studied in their relationship to various
variables.
Hypotheses concerning the relation of analytic variable:
This type of hypotheses occur at a level of abstraction beyond
that of ideal type. The study of analytic variables requires
formulation of relationship between changes in one property
and changes in another.
Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis:
If method A is to be compared with method B about its
superiority and if we proceed on the assumption that both
methods are equally good, then that assumption is termed
as null hypothesis.
where as if one assumes that method A is superior and
method B is inferior or vice versa the assumption can be
termed as alternative hypothesis.
Null hypothesis tries to disprove or reject where as
alternative hypothesis tries to prove and does not involve in
rejection but refers to all possibilities.
Null Hypothesis does not have approximations but will be
specific. This is a best suited one for statistical techniques.
Testing of Hypothesis
One of the requisites of hypothesis is that it should state
specific relationship between phenomena in such a way
that this relationship can be empirically tested. Hypothesis
is a predictive statement which has to be proved or
disproved scientifically. Before Hypotheses are put to test
the following things have to be ascertained.
❖ that the terms of hypotheses are empirically specific and
the concepts and variables can be distinguished in
concrete situations.
❖ The posited relationship between variables is such that
it could be verified or nullified be means of empirical
operations.
❖ There is some prior evidence as to the truth or
falsehood of the posited relationship
❖ An appropriate study design can be devised
❖ The variables are context-bound
❖ The generalizations or either context-bound or applied
realistically to other cultures
❖ If the relevant factors are subject to change in the course
of the observation, they are adequately specified and
enumerated.
❖ The generalization is a part of theoretical system and it
can be deduced and verified by the proposed empirical
verification.
❖ The empirical system that is constructed is sufficiently
precise and articulated to permit predictive statements in
concrete situations