Formulation of Hypothesis
Hypothesis
A hypothesis states your
predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to
your research question that
has not yet been tested. For some research projects, you might have to write
several hypotheses that address different aspects of your research question. A
hypothesis is not just a guess – it should be based on existing theories and
knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it
through scientific research methods (such
as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of
data 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. Hypothesis guides the research process in a
systematic way towards a achieving a desired goal. Certain important
characteristics of an ideal hypothesis include being clear, specific, and
empirically testable and being related to a body of theory. It acts as a
temporary solution and helps the researcher to start his investigation in an
objective manner. Hypotheses can be of various types such as working,
scientific, alternative, research, null or statistical hypothesis. A hypothesis
can virtually relate to anything under the sun. In other words it is a
supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a
starting point for further supposition
or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting
point for further investigation. Functions of Hypothesis
Hypothesis helps in making an observation and experiments possible. It becomes the start point for the investigation. Hypothesis helps in verifying the observations. It helps in directing the inquiries in the right direction.
Functions of Hypothesis
Hypothesis helps in making an observation and experiments possible and It possesses the capacity to work as a starting point for the investigation. Hypothesis helps in verifying the observations. It helps in directing the inquiries in the right direction. the role of hypothesis in a research can take as a basement. So the hypothesis should be perfect. The relationship between a research and hypothesis is like of a building and its foundation. A hypothesis can be useful even it is partially incorrect. The negative instances which occur require only clarification and refinement of the hypothesis rather than its outright rejection. It has a significant role in the formulation of theory, principles and laws. It is also known as tentative theory, after verification it takes the shape of final theory. A theory embers new hypothesis, these are subjected to verification, after the verification it becomes a new theory in field studies.
Image 1 shows the functions of hypothesis.
Types of Hypothesis
The table 1 shows different
types of hypothesis.
|
Types
of hypothesis |
Example |
|
|
|
|
simple
hypothesis |
If
you eat vegetable more you will lose weight |
|
Complex
hypothesis |
Eating
more vegetables and fruits leads to weight loss, glowing skin and reduces the
risk of diseases. |
|
Directional
hypothesis |
children
aged four years eating proper food over a five-year period are having higher
IQ levels than children not having a proper |
|
Null
hypothesis |
There
is no difference in the salary of factory workers based on gender. |
Formulation of Hypothesis
The
current community of psychologists believe that the best approach to
understanding behavior is to conduct scientific research. To be classed as
scientific research, it must be observable, valid, and reliable and follow a
standardised procedure.
One of the important steps in scientific research is to formulate a hypothesis before starting the study procedure. Hypothesis-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 research worker to understand the meaning and nature of hypothesis. The researcher always plans or formulate a hypothesis in the beginning of the problem.
