HYPOTHESIS

MEANING OF HYPOTHESIS
➢ The formulation of hypothesis or hypotheses is an important step in the formulation of
research problem.
➢ The hypothesis is a tentative proposition formulated to determine its validity.
➢ The hypothesis may prove to be correct or incorrect.
➢ It is an example of the organized skepticism of science, the refusal to accept any
statement without empirical verification.
➢ Webster’s Dictionary defines hypothesis as “an unproved theory proposition, supposition,
etc., tentatively accepted to explain certain facts or to provide a basis for further
investigation, argument, etc.
➢ William Goode and Paul Hatt define hypothesis as “a proposition, which can be put to a
test to determine its validity”.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
HYPOTHESIS
EMPIRICALLY TESTABLE

CONCEPTUAL CLARITY

RELATED TO AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES

THEORETICAL RELEVANCE

CONSISTENCY

OBJECTIVITY

CONSIDER ALL PERTINENT AREAS OF PROBLEM

 SIGNIFICANCE OF HYPOTHESIS
➢ Provides Definite Focus
➢ Specifies Sources of Data
➢ Determines Data Needs
➢ Suggests the Type of Research
➢ Technique of Analysis
➢ Development of Theory
 TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
➢ ON THE BASIS OF LEVEL OF ABSTRACTION
➢ ON THE BASIS OF FUNCTIONS
➢ ON THE BASIS OF NATURE OF
HYPOTHESIS
 ON THE BASIS OF LEVEL OF
ABSTRACTION
a) Common Sense Hypothesis: At the lowest level of abstraction, are some hypothesis that
state the existence of empirical uniformities. These hypothesis frequently, though not
always, represent the scientific examination of common-sense propositions. The
hypothesis of this type invites scientific verification of “common-sense propositions”. The
common-sense hypothesis play an important role in the growth of a particular discipline
or science.
b) Complex Hypothesis: At a relatively higher level of abstraction are some hypothesis that
are concerned with complex ideal types. These hypotheses aim at testing the existence
uniformities. Land values, industrial concentrations, types of businesses, mental disorders,
and may other phenomena appeared to show unquestionable uniformities in distribution.
c) Analytical Hypothesis: At the highest level of abstraction are some hypothesis that are
concerned with the relation of analytic variables. These hypothesis occur at a level of
abstraction beyond that of ideal types. This would allow a better measurement of the
relation between the variables education and fertility.
 ON THE BASIS OF FUNCTIONS
a) Descriptive Hypothesis: These hypothesis describe the characteristics such as rate,
size, form, or distribution of a variable. The variable may be an individual,
organization, institution, situation, event or an object. For e.g.: "The quality of
education in privately managed schools is far better than that of government
schools.”
b) Relational Hypothesis: These hypothesis describe the relationship between two
variables. The relationship may be positive or negative correlation or causal
relationship. For e.g.: “Literate couples have fewer children as compared to illiterate
couples”.
c) Causal Hypothesis: These hypothesis state that the existence of, or a change in,
one variable leads to an effect an another variable. The first variable is called the
independent variable, and second one is called the dependent variable. For e.g.
“Increase in the female literacy results in lower-birth-rate.
 ON THE BASIS OF NATURE OF
HYPOTHESES
a) Working Hypotheses: The working hypotheses provide the basis for further
investigation. While planning a research study, hypothesis are formed, which may
not be very specific initially. They are subject to modification as the investigation
proceeds.
b) Null Hypotheses: These are hypothetical statements denying what is explicitly
indicated in working hypotheses. For e.g.: There is no relationship between
literacy and population growth.” The null hypothesis are formulated for testing
statistical significance.
c) Statistical Hypotheses: These hypotheses are statements relating to statistical
population. These are derived from a sample. These are quantitatively measurable.
For e.g.: “Community A is more literate than Community B.”
SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS
INTUITION

RESEARCH STUDIES

CONSULTATIONS

THEORY

OBSERVATIONS

ANALOGIES

CULTURE

CONTINUNITY OF RESEARCH