Writing a hypothesis

1. Introduction
2. Origin of the word Hypothesis
3. Definitions of hypothesis
4. Characteristics of hypothesis
5. The functions of hypothesis
6. Types of hypothesis
7. Research variables and their types
8. How to write a hypothesis
9. Errors in hypothesis
10. How we test the hypothesis statistically
11. The difference between hypothesis and thesis statement
12. The difference between qualitative and quantitative
research
13. Summary

1. Introduction
 To clarify the central goal of our writing, we have to present our
ideas in one of three alternative ways: thesis statements, stated
objectives or Hypothesis(Perrin, 2012). One of the most important
considerations when beginning our research work and formulating
the research problem is constructing the hypothesis. Generally,
hypothesis provides clarity so that we can focus on a research
problem. It is always good to construct a hypothesis as it will help
to narrow down our focus of research. The significance of a
hypothesis lies in its ability to bring direction to our research work.
Turabian(2007) states that to start a storyboard, we have to state at
the top of its first page our question and working hypothesis as
exactly as we can. We have to put at the top of separate pages each
reason that might support our best hypothesis, even we have only
one or two.

2. Origin of the word Hypothesis

A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a

phenomenon. The English word hypothesis comes from the ancient
Greek word , meaning "to put under" or "to suppose".
( Hilborn:1997)

3. Definitions of hypothesis

Hypothesis is a single tentative guess, good hunch

assumed for use in devising theory or planning experiments
intended to be given a direct experimental test when
possible. (Eric Rogers, 1966)

A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relation

between two or more variables. (Kerlinger, 1956)

Hypothesis is a formal statement that presents the

expected relationship between an independent and
dependent variable.(Creswell, 1994)

Creswell(1994) states that a research question is essentially

a hypothesis asked in the form of a question. It is a
 tentative prediction about the nature of the relationship
between two or more variables.

A hypothesis can be defined as a tentative explanation of

the research problem, a possible outcome of the research,
or a guess about the research outcome.(Sarantakos, 1993)

Hypothesis is always in declarative sentence form which

relates variable to another variable.

An hypothesis is a statement or explanation that is

suggested by knowledge or observation but has not, yet,
been proved or disproved.(Macleod Clark J and Hockey L
1981)

Hypothesis is written in such a way that it can be proven

or disproven by valid and reliable data. Grinnell (1988)

From these definitions, we can see that a hypothesis is based on a

tentative proposition and its validity is unknown.

Turabian(2007) mentions that working hypothesis need not to close

our mind to a better one. A working hypothesis is a risk only if it
blinds us to a better one or if we cannot give it up when the
evidence says we should.

4. Characteristics of hypothesis

As researchers, we should keep in mind some important

considerations when constructing a hypothesis for our research
work such as:

(a) A Hypothesis must be capable of verification

In our research work, there must be methods and techniques

used for data collection and analysis. Formulating a hypothesis that
cannot be verified will lead to nowhere. There must be techniques to
verify our hypothesis. However, in some cases, researchers may
 develop new techniques to verify their hypotheses during the
research process.

(b) A Hypothesis must be Related to the Existing Body of

Knowledge.

You must ensure that the hypothesis we construct emerges

from an existing body of knowledge and adds to it. This is crucial in
academic research methodology. This criterion can only be achieved
if the hypothesis has its foundation in existing knowledge.

(b) A Hypothesis Needs to be Precise, Simple and Specific

To be able to develop a good hypothesis, we need to equip

ourselves well in the literature review of our subject area. The
hypothesis should be able to test one relationship at a time.

5. The functions of hypothesis

A hypothesis has several functions:

1. Enhance the objectivity and purpose of a research work;

2. Provide a research with focus and tells a researcher the
specific scope of a research problem to investigate;
3. Help a researcher in designing data collection, hence providing
focus on the study;
4. Enable the formulation of theory for a researcher to specifically
conclude what is true and what is not.
5. Provide clarity to the research problem and research objectives.
6. Direct the research study process.
7. Indicate the type of the research design.

Imagine explaining your project to a friend. You say, I want to

show that Alamo stories helped develop a unique Texan identity,
and your friend asks, Why do you think so? Your reasons are the
general statements that you offer to support your answers: Well,
first, the stories distorted facts to emphasize what become
central to Texan identity; second, the story were first used to
show that Texas (and the Wild West) was a new kind of frontier;
third,and so on. (Turabian,2007)
Each reason needs support, so for each reason, ask why
do I think that? What evidence will I need to prove it? That will
help us focus our search for evidence. A list of reasons, no matter
how speculative, is the best framework to guide our research
and focus our thinking and certainly better than no reason at all.
6. Types of hypothesis
6.1 Research hypothesis

6.1.1 simple hypothesis predicts that, there exist a

relationship between the independent variable and dependent
variable. For example:

Two hourly positions- changing of a fully bedridden patient

will prevent bedsore.

In the above example 2 hourly position changing is

independent variable and bedsore prevention is dependent
variable. The statement shows that there exists a relationship
between 2 hourly positioning and bedsore prevention.
6.1.2 Complex Hypothesis predicts that there exists
relationship between two or more independent and
dependent variable. For example:

For a fully bed ridden patent 2 hourly position changing, 2

hourly back care and a high protein diet will build up body
resistance, will promote blood circulation and will prevent
bedsore.
In the above example, three independent variable are:-
A) 2 hourly position changing,
B) 2 hourly back care,
C) high protein diet.
And three dependent variable are:
A) promotion of blood circulation,
B) building up of body resistance,
C) prevention of bed sore.

6.1.2 Directional Hypothesis predicts the direction of the

relationship between the independent and dependent variable.
For example,
High quality of nursing education will lead to high quality of
nursing practice skills.

6.1.3 Non -directional Hypothesis predicts the relationship

between the independent variable and the dependent variable
but does not specific the directional of the relationship. For
example:

Teacher student relationship influence students learning.

6.1.4 Causal Hypothesis predicts a cause and effects

relationship or interaction between the independent variable
and dependent variable. This hypothesis predicts the effect of
the independent variable on the dependent variable. In this
hypothesis, the independent variable is the experimental or
treatment variable. The dependent variable is the outcome
variable . For example:
 Early postoperative ambulation will lead to prompt recovery.

6.1.5 Associative Hypothesis predicts an associative

relationship between the independent variable and the
dependent variable. When there is a change in any one of the
variables, changes also occurs in the other variable. The
associative relationship between the independent and
dependent variables may have either Positive association or
negative association.

6.2 Null Hypothesis is called statistical hypothesis because this

type of hypothesis is used for statistical testing and statically
interpretation. The null hypothesis predicts that, there is no
relationship between the independent variable and dependent
variable. For example:

Nasogastric tube feeding does not alter body temperature.

6.2.1 Simple null hypothesis

For example: Bed rest will not relives dyspnea.
In the above example, the independent variable that is, bed rest
does not have any causal relationship with the dependent variable
that is, dyspnea.

6.2.2 Complex null Hypothesis

For example: smoking, drug abuse, alcoholism, tobacco use etc.
have no relationship in the occurrence of malaria, mumps or
chicken pox.

6.2.3 Causal null Hypothesis

For example: High intake of fluid does not cause tissue oedema.
In the above example, the independent variable, that is, high fluid
intake does not have any causal relationship with the dependent
variable such as, tissue oedema.

6.2.4 Associative null Hypothesis

For example: Increased does in antibiotics will not reduce body
temperature.

6.3 The testable hypothesis predicts relationship between the

independent variable and the dependent variable and theses
variable are testable or measurable. For example,
Increase in patients body temperature causes increase in patients
pulse rate.

7. Research variables and their types

They are defined as qualities, properties, characteristics, behaviors,
attributes etc. of people, whether individuals or group, objects,
situations, activities, etc.

7.1 Independent variable is the quality or property that can be

manipulated by the researcher to cause an effect on the dependent
variable. It is also called experimental variable or treatment
variable.

7.2 Dependent variable is the quality or property or behavior or

outcome that the researcher predicts and that occurs in response to
the manipulation, experimentation or treatment of the independent
variable. It is also called outcomes variable. For examples:

O2 administration to a highly nervous patient by a face mask

instead of a nasal canula will cause less anxiety to the patient.

In this above example, the independent variable that is methods of

O2, administration by face mask cause an effect on the dependent
variable, that is patients state of anxiety. In this the independent
variable that is methods of O2 administration is manipulated.
Because O2, instead of face mask, may also be administration by a
nasal canula and this may cause an influence on the dependent
variable or there may be a different outcome such as, patients
state of anxiety may be increased.

7.3 Extraneous variables exist in all type of research studies but

the researcher does not include them for the research purpose.
These are the variable which confuse or mix up the relationship
between the variable and also interfere with the rational or causal
relationship between the independent and the dependent variables.

The researcher makes an attempt to identify those extraneous

variables before the research study is initiated and thereby control
the influence of extraneous variables on the research study through
a specific research design or through statistical manipulation. For
example:

A clam and quite environment at bedtime at night will allow sound

sleep to a patient in a general ward.
In the above example, the independent variable- clam and quite
environment will have an effect on the dependent variable- sleep of
patient at night.

7.4 Environmental variable are the variables which compose a

research setting where the research study is conducted. These
variables are climate, family background, social background,
institution setup, community setup, education setup etc. these
variable are also some type of extraneous variable.
In a descriptive or correlation research study where the study is
conduct in a natural setting and where it is necessary to study the
subjects behavior in a natural setting, the researcher makes no
attempt to control or alter the environmental variables.

7.5 Demographic variable are the qualities or property or

characteristics of the subject under the research study and which
are collected to describe sample. These variable are also called the
sample characteristics such as age, gender, height, weight, build,
movement, vision, hearing, speech, religion, marital status etc.

8. How to Write a Hypothesis

The hypothesis that we want to test is usually given the symbol

H0, and it is commonly referred to as the null hypothesis. It is
assumed to be true unless there is strong evidence to the contrary
similar to how a person is assumed to be innocent until the guilty is
proven. The other hypothesis, which is assumed to be true when the
null hypothesis is false, is referred to as the alternative hypothesis
and is often symbolized by HA or H1. Both the null and alternative
hypothesis should be stated before any statistical test of
significance is conducted.
In other words, we are not supposed to do the data analysis first and
then decide on the hypotheses afterwards. For example:
 Given the test scores of two random samples of men and
women, does one group differ from the other?
A possible null hypothesis is that the male score is the same as
the female score:

H0: 1 = 2

where

H0 = the null hypothesis,

1 = the mean of population 1, and
2 = the mean of population 2.

Another example can illustrate the matter, suppose you want to do

a research on the IT literacy pattern in a community in relation to
gender differences. The following hypotheses could be constructed:
(a) There is no significant difference in the proportion of male and
female with
IT literacy in the community population;
(b) A total of 70 percent of male and 30 percent of female in this
study are IT
literate;
(c) A greater proportion of male than female are IT literate in this
population;
and
(d) There are twice as many male IT educated as female IT educated
in this
study population.
From this example, we know that the first hypothesis indicates there
is no
difference between both genders and this is called a null hypothesis,
which is
also sometimes referred to as Ho. A researcher may have some
fundamental
knowledge about the community IT education exposure and he/she
is likely to
speculate on almost the exact outcome in a quantitative unit.
Looking at the second hypothesis in the example, the proportion is
70:30 and this type of hypothesis is known as hypothesis of point
prevalence. The third hypothesis states that there is a difference in
the proportion of male and female IT education exposure, though
the extent of the difference is not specified. In this type of
hypothesis, a researcher stipulates that there will be a difference
but does not specify its magnitude. This hypothesis is known as
hypothesis of difference.
The fourth hypothesis implies on the extent of the relationships
in the study population as prevalence of a phenomenon in different
population groups. This hypothesis is widely known as hypothesis of
association.

9. Errors in Hypothesis

Type I Error:
A type I error occurs when the null hypothesis (H0) is wrongly
rejected.
For example, A type I error would occur if we concluded that the two
drugs produced different effects when in fact there was no
difference between them.
Type II Error:
A type II error occurs when the null hypothesis H0, is not rejected
when it is in fact false. For example. A type II error would occur if it
were concluded that the two drugs produced the same effect, that
is, there is no difference between the two drugs on average, when in
fact they produced different ones.

10. How we test the hypothesis statistically

- One-sample tests : a sample is being compared to the population

- Two-sample tests : comparing two samples
- Z-tests : comparing means under stringent conditions
- T-test : is appropriate for comparing means under relaxed
conditions
- chi-squared test : can be used to attempt rejection of the null
hypothesis
- F-tests : used when deciding whether groupings of data by
category are meaningful

11. The difference between hypothesis and thesis

statement

Both the hypothesis statement and the thesis statement

answer the research question of the study. A hypothesis is a
statement that can be proved or disproved. It is typically used in
quantitative research and predicts the relationship between
variables. A thesis statement is a short, direct sentence that
summarizes the main point or claim of an essay or research
paper. It is seen in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods
research. A thesis statement is developed, supported, and
explained in the body of the essay or research report by means
of examples and evidence.

12. The difference between qualitative and quantitative

research

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is

used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions,
and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to
develop ideas or hypotheses for a quantitative research. It is
more subjective because it describes a problem or condition from
the point of view of those experiencing it and it is a text-based
research.

Whereas, Quantitative Research is used to quantify the

problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be
transformed into useable statistics. It is more objective than
qualitative research because it provides observed effects
(interpreted by researchers) of a program on a problem or
condition and it is number-based.
13. Summary

Hypothesis is important to help researchers focus on their

research study and to provide clarity.
A hypothesis is generally a speculative statement that needs
to be verified in a research work.
During hypothesis formulation, it is important to keep the
statement simple, precise and clear, and derive it from an
existing body of knowledge.
Hypothesis could be proved or disproved by statistical
methods.

References

Bailey, K. D. (1978). Methods of social research (3rd ed.). New

York: The Free

Press.

Grinnell, (1988). Social work research and evaluation. Itasca:

Illinois, F. E.

Peacock Publishers.
Hilborn, Ray; Mangel, Marc (1997). The Ecological Detective:
Confronting Models with Data. Princeton University Press.

Oxford English Dictionary (OED.com), Oxford University Press.

Perrin, Robert.(2012). Pocket Guide to APA Style.

Turabian,Kate.(2007). A Manual for writers of Research Paper.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothesis. (Internet Sources)