VARIABLES AND HYPOTHESES

Research methodology at students of university
Objectives
Meaning of variables
Types of variables (independent, dependent )
Concept of hypothesis
Sources of hypothesis
Types of hypothesis
Characteristics of a good hypothesis

1. Research Methodology Somalia International University faculty of health sciences Mr. Mohamed Hassan tacshir Email: [email protected]

2. VARIABLES AND HYPOTHESES Objectives Introduction Meaning of variables Types of variables (independent, dependent ) Concept of hypothesis Sources of hypothesis Types of hypothesis Characteristics of a good hypothesis

3. OBJECTIVES: After reading this unit you will be able to: Define variables Identify the different types of variables Show the relationship between the variables Explain the concept of hypotheses State the sources of hypotheses Explain different types of hypothesis Identify types of hypothesis Describe the characteristics of a good hypothesis

4. A variable A variable is any entity that can take on different values. So what does that mean? Anything that can vary can be considered a variable. For instance, age can be considered a variable because age can take different values for different people or for the same person at different times. Similarly, country can be considered a variable because a person's country can be assigned a value

5. A variable A variable is a concept or abstract idea that can be described in measurable terms . In research, this term refers to the measurable characteristics, qualities, traits, or attributes of a particular individual, object, or situation being studied.

6. Con… Variables are things that we measure, control, or manipulate in research . They differ in many respects, most notably in the role they are given in our research and in the type of measures that can be applied to them

7. variable A variable is an object, event, idea, feeling, time period, or any other type of category you are trying to measure. There are two types of variables -independent and dependent.

8. Con… By itself, the statement of the problem usually provides only general direction for the research study; it does not include all the specific information . There is some basic terminology that is extremely important in how we communicate specific information about research problems and about research in general.

9. Example of variable A concept which can take on different quantitative values is called a variable . As such the concepts like weight, height, income are all examples of variables. Qualitative phenomena (or the attributes) are also quantified on the basis of the presence or absence of the concerning attributes(s). Age is an example of continuous variable, but the number of male and female respondents is an example of discrete variable.

10. TYPES OF VARIABLES: There are many classification systems given in the literature the names we use are descriptive; they describe the roles that variables play in a research study. The variables described below by no means exhaust the different systems and names that exist, but they are the most useful for communicating about educational research.

11. Difference of variable An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable A  dependent variable  is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment

12. Independent variables: An independent variable is exactly what it sounds like. It is a variable that stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure. For example, someone's age might be an independent variable. Other factors (such as what they eat, how much they go to school, how much television they watch) aren't going to change a person's age. In fact, when you are looking for some kind of relationship between variables you are trying to see if the independent variable causes some kind of change in the other variables, or dependent variables.

13. Dependent variables: Dependent variables are the outcome variables and are the variables for which we calculate statistics. The variable which changes on account of independent variable is known as dependent variable.

14. Consider other examples of independent and dependent variables Example 1: A study of teacher-student classroom interaction at different levels of schooling. Independent variable: Level of schooling, four categories – primary, upper primary, secondary and junior college. Dependent variable: Score on a classroom observation inventory, which measures teacher – student interaction

15. Example 2: A comparative study of the professional attitudes of secondary school teachers by gender. Independent variable: Gender of the teacher – male, female. Dependent variable: Score on a professional attitude inventory

16. CONCEPT OF HYPOTHESIS Hypothesis is usually considered as the principal instrument in research. The derivation of a suitable hypothesis goes hand in hand with the selection of a research problem. What a researcher is looking for is a working or positive hypothesis.

17. Meaning: The word hypothesis (plural is hypotheses) is derived from the Greek word – ‘ hypotithenai ’ meaning ‘to put under’ or ‘to suppose’ for a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it.

18. hypothesis an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proven

19. Importance of the Hypotheses The importance of hypotheses is generally recognized more in the studies which aim to make predictions about some outcome . In experimental research, the researchers is interested in making predictions about the outcome of the experiment or what the results are expected to show and therefore the role of hypotheses is considered to be of utmost importance.

20. Importance of the Hypotheses Hypotheses facilitate the extension of knowledge in an area Hypotheses provide the researcher with rational statements Hypotheses provide direction to the research. It defines what is relevant and what is irrelevant. Hypotheses provide the basis for reporting the conclusions of the study

21. SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems; Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible trends Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin

22. TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS The six most common forms of hypotheses are: Simple Hypothesis Complex Hypothesis Empirical Hypothesis Null Hypothesis (Denoted by "HO") Alternative Hypothesis (Denoted by "H1") Logical Hypothesis Statistical Hypothesis

23. Con… simple hypothesis  is a prediction of the relationship between two variables: the independent variable and the dependent variable. Drinking sugary drinks daily leads to obesity. 

24. Con… A  complex hypothesis  examines the relationship between two or more independent variables and two or more dependent variables.

25. Con… A  null hypothesis  (H0) exists when a researcher believes there is no relationship between the two variables, or there is a lack of information to state a scientific hypothesis.

26. Con… A  logical hypothesis  is a proposed explanation possessing limited evidence. Generally, you want to turn a logical hypothesis into an empirical hypothesis, putting your theories or postulations to the test. 

27. Con… An  empirical hypothesis , or working hypothesis, comes to life when a theory is being put to the test, using observation and experiment. It's no longer just an idea or notion. 

28. Con… A  statistical hypothesis  is an examination of a portion of a population. 

29. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HYPOTHESIS Hypothesis should be clear and precise. Hypothesis should be capable of being tested Hypothesis should state relationship between variables Hypothesis should be limited in scope and must be specific.

30. THANK YOU