Hypothesis in Research

1. Meaning of Hypothesis

• The word hypothesis comes from Greek: “hypo” (less than) + “thesis” (statement) → meaning “less than a thesis” or a proposition not yet proven.
• In research, a hypothesis is a tentative, testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
• In simple words: A hypothesis is an educated guess or a provisional answer to the research problem.

2. Definitions

• Kerlinger (1986): “A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relation between two or more variables.”
• Goode and Hatt: “A hypothesis is a proposition which can be put to test to determine its validity.”
• Lundberg: “A hypothesis is a tentative generalization, the validity of which remains to be tested.”

From all definitions → Hypothesis must be tentative, testable, and logical.

3. Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis

A well-formulated hypothesis should be:

• Clear & precise – free from ambiguity.
• Testable – possible to verify empirically/statistically.
• Specific – not too broad or vague.
• Consistent – aligns with existing knowledge/theory.
• Simple – avoids unnecessary complexity.
• Relevant – directly linked to research problem.
• Falsifiable – allows possibility of being disproved.
• Predictive – suggests expected outcomes.

4. Functions of Hypothesis

• Guides research: tells the researcher what data to collect.
• Clarifies variables: defines relationships clearly.
• Directs analysis: suggests methods of testing.
• Connects theory with practice: acts as a bridge between theory and empirical testing.
• Predictive role: indicates possible outcomes.
• Saves time and resources: narrows down scope.

5. Types of Hypotheses

(a) Based on Nature of Statement

1. Substantive Hypothesis; A conjectural statement about the relation between variables in conceptual terms. Example: Higher parental education leads to better academic achievement of children.
2. Statistical Hypothesis; A hypothesis expressed in statistical form, deduced from substantive hypothesis. Example: There is a significant correlation between parental education and children’s academic scores.

(b) Based on Expected Results

1. Null Hypothesis (H₀); States that there is no relationship or no significant difference between variables. Example: There is no significant difference in academic performance between boys and girls.
2. Alternative Hypothesis (H₁ or Ha); Expresses the researcher’s expectation in positive terms. Can be directional (predicts direction) or non-directional. Example: Girls perform better academically than boys.

(c) Based on Complexity

1. Simple Hypothesis: Involves two variables (independent & dependent). Example: More exercise leads to weight loss.
2. Complex Hypothesis: Involves more than two variables. Example: Exercise, diet, and sleep together influence weight loss.

(d) Based on Relationship

1. Causal Hypothesis: Suggests cause-effect relationship. Example: Smoking causes lung cancer.
2. Descriptive Hypothesis: States existence of variables without suggesting cause-effect. Example: Most rural households depend on agriculture for income.

Example

• Research Problem: Does social media use affect academic performance?
• Null Hypothesis (H₀): Social media has no effect on academic performance.
• Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): Social media use negatively affects academic performance.