ELADIO T.

BALITE MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF FISHERIES

Bobon, Northern Samar

LEARNING ACTIVITY GUIDE (LAG) No. 8

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS AND

DEFINING TERMS USED IN STUDY

MELC: 1. Defines terms used in study

2. Lists research hypothesis (if appropriate)

Objectives:

The learners should be able to:

1. identify and define operational and conceptual definition of terms

2. explain the meaning, purpose and importance of hypothesis in research; and
3. formulate research hypothesis in quantitative research

BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM

In this lesson, you will learn the importance of defining the terms you used in the study and
formulating hypothesis. The Definition of Terms helps the researcher to clarify the purpose and
direction of the conduct of his/her study while the hypothesis indicates that he/she has adequate
knowledge about the research topic he/she is studying. This lesson will provide you short but
meaningful topic discussion and ample activities to help you easily learn how to formulate hypothesis
and prepare a definition of terms used in the study.

I. ACTIVITY

Direction: From the Word Cloud, select the word that corresponds with the statements below.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1
Learning Activity Guide (LAG) Week 8
Practical Research 2, S.Y. 2021-22
 ELADIO T. BALITE MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF FISHERIES
Bobon, Northern Samar

1. It defines a concept in terms of specific ideas, principles, or theories associated with terms.
2. It defines the terms on how it is measured in the present study.
3. It helps both the researcher and its reader to have clear understanding of the key terms in the
study.
4. It indicates the direction of the relationship between the variables.
5. It is an assumption that the values observed has no change.

II. ANALYSIS

1. Why does hypothesis mean in a research?

2. How is it important in research?

3. What is definition of terms in your own words?

4. How is it important in research?

I. ABSTRACTION

What is Hypothesis?

✓ Hypothesis is a specific proposition which is presented for testing through research

✓ It is a logical relationship between two or more variables expressed in a form of a testable
statement.
✓ A hypothesis is an educated guess or hunch of the researcher on the outcome of the research
based on theoretical insights or observation.
✓ The hypothesis is verifiable and a testable statement that reflects the purpose of the study.
✓ The literature review, not the researcher’s idea, shall be the basis of formulation of a
hypothesis. ✓ It is composed of independent (cause) and dependent (effect) variables.

What makes a hypothesis good?

✓ It explains the expected outcome of the study.
✓ It sets the limitations of the study
✓ It is clear, understandable, testable and measurable.

2
Learning Activity Guide (LAG) Week 8
Practical Research 2, S.Y. 2021-22
 ELADIO T. BALITE MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF FISHERIES
Bobon, Northern Samar

✓ It is based on facts and theories.

✓ It presents the variables of the study and its relationships.
✓ It must be based on the main research questions or problems.

Null and Alternative Hypothesis

1. Null Hypothesis (Ho) – it pertains to the claim that the means of the variables under study are
equal or the values are zero. It is an assumption that the values observed has no change.
Examples:
a. There is no significant relationship between the memory-boosting tablet and the students’
score in examination.
b. The memory-boosting tablet has nothing to do with the student’s score in examination.

2. Alternative Hypothesis (Ha or H1) – it is a statement that states the complete opposite of null
hypothesis as it suggests potential outcome of the study. It is also the so called affirmative
hypothesis as it claims that there is a significant change, effect, relationship, not equal, not the same,
and not equivalent to zero in the value of the means being studied.
Examples:
a. There is a significant relationship between the memory-boosting tablet and
the students’ score in examination
b. The memory-boosting tablet significantly affects the student’s score in examination.

Directional and Non-directional Hypothesis

1. Directional hypothesis – the direction of the relationship between the variables is indicated.
Example: Children of family with low income experience more inferiority complex than children of
family with high income.
2. Non-directional hypothesis – there is no indication of the direction of the relationship between
the variables. Example: There is a difference between the inferiority complex level of children of
family with low income and those of family with high income.

Points to Remember:

o Reject the null hypothesis if the sample supports the alternative hypothesis.
o Accept the null hypothesis if the sample does not support the alternative
hypothesis.
o If the study failed to reject the null hypothesis, it means that it needs to gather
more data.

Definition of Terms

✓ It explains the variables (terminologies) used in the study operationally or conceptually.

✓ Definition of terms is essential to ensure a common understanding of key concepts and
terminology used in the study between the researcher and its reader.
✓ It helps both the researcher and its reader to have clear understanding of the key terms in
the study.

3
Learning Activity Guide (LAG) Week 8
Practical Research 2, S.Y. 2021-22
 ELADIO T. BALITE MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF FISHERIES
Bobon, Northern Samar

2 Types of Definitions

1. Operational definitions define the terms on how it is measured in the present study. Example:
Performance - refers to the students’ academic grades earned in Technology and Livelihood
Education subject in the school year 2021-2022.

2. Conceptual definition defines a concept in terms of specific ideas, principles, or theories

associated with terms. Example: Performance – the execution of an action; a public presentation of
exhibition.

By taking note of the examples of operational and conceptual definition, the definition of
performance: “refers to the students’ academic grades earned in Technology and Livelihood
Education subject in the school year 2021-2022” is an operational definition since the term was
defined according to its use in the study. On the other hand, the definition: “the execution of an action;
a public presentation of exhibition” which is adapted from a dictionary is a conceptual definition.

Points to Ponder:

➢ Definition of terms must be listed alphabetically.

➢ Define only terms or variables that have unique use or meaning in the study
being conducted.
➢ Using of definitions from dictionary, as much as possible, is avoided. Define
or explain variables or terms on how it is operationally used in the study.
➢ In defining a term, use only one paragraph.

III. APPLICATION

A. Hypothetically Speaking! Directions: Write a hypothesis for each of the following research
problems. Identify dependent and independent variables.

1. What is the effect of extra-curricular activities on students’ academic performance?

Independent
variable:____________________________________________________________________
2. Dependent variable: _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis: _______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the effect Bridging Program on the students’ school readiness? Independent variable:
_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Dependent variable: _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis: _______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4
Learning Activity Guide (LAG) Week 8
Practical Research 2, S.Y. 2021-22
 ELADIO T. BALITE MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF FISHERIES
Bobon, Northern Samar

B. Define, Definitely! Direction: Having in mind the hypotheses in Application A, provide the
conceptual and operational definitions of the following variables.

Variables Conceptual Definition Operational Definition

School readiness

Academic performance

Skills and competencies

REFERENCES

Department of Education (2020), Quarter 1 – Module 6: The Research’s Conceptual Framework,

Definition of Terms and Hypothesis, First Edition, 2020

Prepared by: Recommending approval:

ROSALVIE P. DANTE MYLA P. ADIATON, PhD

Subject Teacher HT-II

Checked and noted by: Approved by:

LINA L. MERINO MARIFE B. BULAWAN

SHS-MT1 School Principal III

5
Learning Activity Guide (LAG) Week 8
Practical Research 2, S.Y. 2021-22
 ELADIO T. BALITE MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF FISHERIES
Bobon, Northern Samar

6
Learning Activity Guide (LAG) Week 8
Practical Research 2, S.Y. 2021-22