Hypothesis – Meaning, Definition, Importance, Characteristics and Types

This ppt helps to formulate the Research Hypothesis which covered Meaning, Definition, Importance, Characteristics and Types of Hypothesis

1. SUNDAR B. N. Assistant Professor Hypothesis – Meaning, Definition, Importance, Characteristics and Types

2. Hypothesis( es ) Introduction After extensive literature survey, researcher should state in clear terms the hypotheses. Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand because it has to be tested . The role of hypothesis is to guide the research by delimiting the area of research and keep him on the right track . It sharpens his thinking and focuses attention on the more important facets of the problem. Hypothesis formulation is not a necessary but an important step of the research. A valid and reasonable research can be conducted without any hypothesis.

3. Hypothesis( es ) Introduction Hypothesis simply means a mere assumption or some supposition to be proved or disproved. Research hypothesis is a predictive statement capable of being tested by scientific methods that relates an IV to some DV. Example: The automobile A is performing as well as automobile B Students who receive counselling will show a greater increase in creativity that students not receiving counselling

4. Hypothesis( es ) Meaning A hypothesis is a possible answer to a research question. It is a presumption or a hunch on the basis of which a study has to be conducted. This hypothesis is tested for possible rejection or approval . If the hypothesis get accepted, it shows that your hunch was right , if it get rejected it still does not mean that your research was not valid , it means it is the opposite way you thought and perceived , whether it is approved or not it gives you some conclusion and adds to the available body of knowledge. Hypothesis is an assumption made about population parameter.

5. Definition of Hypothesis George A. Lund Burg “ a hypothesis is a tentative generalization the validity of which remains to be tested……. In its most elementary stage the hypothesis may be very bunch, guess, imaginative data, which becomes the basis for action or investigation”. Goode and Hatt defined it as “ a proposition which can be put to test to determined validity”. Rummel “ a hypothesis is a statement capable of being tested and there by verified or rejected”. Grinnell – A hypothesis is written in such a way that it can be proven or disproven by valid and reliable data , in order to obtain these data that we perform our study

6. How Hypothesis Works If you want to conduct a study on the effects of ‘Parental Depression on the Academic Performance of Children’, you may like to conduct it without any hypothesis but then you will have many dimensions to think upon and will be more likely get distracted. If you formulate a hypothesis that ‘Parental depression results in depression in children too and this depression leads to low grades ’ your research will get a direction and you will not think about the broader effects of depression, everything is well defined as on the grades of children, now you have to test the impact of parental depression on the children’s depression and as well as on the grades of children. You may not need to test impacts on the extracurricular activities, class conduct and other such things

7. Importance of Research Hypothesis Clarity – to the way in which research should carry Focus – Only on what is relevant – always on the track Direction – for objectives, methodology, research design and mode of analysis Objectivity and validity increases – since you focus on the track Add to the body of the Knowledge – by finding Research gap

8. Characteristics of Good Research Hypotheses Relevant – to your study – limit irrelevant things Conceptual Clarity - It should consist of clearly defined and understandable concepts Specificity - A hypothesis should be specific and explain the expected relation b/w variables and the conditions under which these relations will hold. Testable and verifiable - for possible approval/rejection – Statistically Availability of techniques - research must make sure that methods are available for testing his proposed hypothesis. Consistency - Hypothesis should be logically consistent. Objectivity - Scientific hypothesis should be free from value judgment. Simplicity - Simplicity demands insight.

9. Types of Hypothesis 1) Simple Hypothesis – Is that one in which there exists relationship between two variables IV and DV. Example: a) Smoking leads to cancer b) The higher ratio of Unemployment leads to crimes 2) Complex Hypothesis – In this type DV and IV are more than two. Example: a) Smoking & other drugs leads to Cancer, tension, chest infection etc. b) The higher ratio of Unemployment, Poverty and Illiteracy leads to Crimes like Dacoit, Robbery, Rape, Prostitution and Killing etc. 3) Empirical/Working Hypothesis – is that one which is applied to a field. During the formulation it is an assumption only but when it is put to a test become an empirical or working hypothesis

10. Types of Hypothesis (2) 4) Null Hypothesis – Null means ‘Zero’ When a hypothesis is stated negatively, it is called Null Hypothesis. The object of this hypothesis is to avoid the personal bias of the investigator, in the matter of collection of data. A null hypothesis is used to collect additional support for the known hypothesis. . It is denoted by H ₒ 5) Alternative Hypothesis – Firstly many hypothesis are selected then among them select one which is more workable and most efficient. That hypothesis is introduced latter on due to changes in the old formulated hypothesis. It is denoted by H₁

11. Types of Hypothesis (3) 6) Logical Hypothesis – It is that type in which hypothesis is verified logically. J. S. Mill has given four Cannons of these hypothesis – Agreement, Disagreement, Difference and Residue 7) Statistical Hypothesis – A hypothesis which can be verified statistically. The statement would be logical or illogical but if statistic verifies it, it will be statistical hypothesis.

12. Reference Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Age International.