Hypothesis- characteristics,types,sources and problems in formulation of

hypothesis.

• MEANING OF HYPOTHESIS
• ➢ Hypothesis literally means an idea or theory that the researcher sets as the goal
of the study and examines it and is replaced as a theory when the
• hypothesis is true in the study's conclusion.
• ➢ Hypothesis is a material thinking based on scientific process.
• ➢ Hypothesis is impossible to generate in the absence of human thought.
• ➢ Formulation of hypotheses in scientific study of social problems is an
• important and strong aspect of research, utility of their use etc.
• ➢ Hypothesis gives researcher a new direction in research study.
• ➢ In the absence of hypothesis, the researcher cannot move even a step further
in his study because on the basis of this thinking he tries to know what is the
reason behind this research.
• ➢ Hypothesis is the definitive and fully planned path of research study.
• ➢ Hypothesis is helpful and useful in giving a definite direction to any
research
• study.
• ➢ Hypothesis has an important place in the study of social phenomena.
• ➢ Hypothesis controls and directs social research and scientific method.
• Hypothesis is an assumption that is made on the basis of some evidence.
This is the initial point of any investigation that translates the research
questions into a prediction. It includes components like variables, population
and the relation between the variables. A research hypothesis is a
hypothesis that is used to test the relationship between two or more
variables.
•
Examples of Hypothesis:
• If I replace the battery in my car, then my car will get better gas
mileage.
• If I eat more vegetables, then I will lose weight faster.
• If I add fertilizer to my garden, then my plants will grow faster.
• If I brush my teeth every day, then I will not develop cavities.
• Characteristics of Hypothesis
• The hypothesis should be clear and precise to consider it to be
reliable.
• If the hypothesis is a relational hypothesis, then it should be stating
the relationship between variables.
• The hypothesis must be specific and should have scope for
conducting more tests and related to the problems of research.
• it must have explanatory power .The way of explanation of the
hypothesis must be very simple and it should also be understood that
the simplicity of the hypothesis is not related to its significance.
• Hypothesis should be a conjectural(not certain or complete)
statement.
It should be logical and must explain the relationship between the
variables.
. It should be quantifiable and capable of being tested.
• . Hypothesis should be consistent with most known facts i.e. it
must be consistent with a substantial body of established facts.
• . Hypothesis must explain the facts that gave rise to the need for
explanation. Thus hypothesis must actually explain what it claims
to explain (Predictable).
•Sources used in hypothesis formulation:
•1. Personal experience- of area, process, objects
•People have different experiences in their lives which are a very good source of a research problem and hypothesis. For example,
on the basis of personal experience a researcher may formulate and suggests some points for the eradication of a various social
problem through developing a good hypothesis. Greater the researcher’s experience lead to higher degree of formatioN
•2. Previous researches(Observations from past studies, present-day experiences and from the competitors)
•Previous study is also a source of developing a hypothesis. If a researcher uses previous knowledge about a phenomenon for a
particular topic, then another researcher follows his/her techniques and formulates some new hypothesis according to the
requirement of their studies. For example, if a research has been carried out in any particular district then some another
researcher may studies the same problem and applies it to another district.
• 3. Research abstracts, journals, books, thesis, dissertations etc
•4. Theories/ models
•Theories are the explanation of the facts relating to the problem. Scientific theory is a fertile source of hypothesis formulation.
The theory which is used by a researcher may satisfied the needs of the researcher and also may add new knowledge to the
existing facts.
•5. Analogues/ Analogues:Observation of a similarity between two phenomena may be a source of formation of a hypothesis
aimed at testing similarity in any other respect. Formulation of an analogous hypothesis is construed as an achievement because
by doing so its interpretation is made easy.
•
• 6.Imagination & Thinking (General patterns that influence the thinking
process of people.)
Creative thinking and imagination of a researcher many times help in
formulating a good hypothesis. Personal ideas and the thinking
capabilities of a researcher would lead to greater number of
hypothesis formulation as well as suggestive measures to various the
problem.
• 7.Culture Culture is the accumulation of ways of behaving and
adoption in a particular place and time. While formulating a
hypothesis for a problem, culture should be studied as it is a very
good source of it.
• Types of Hypothesis
• There are six forms of hypothesis and they are:

• Simple hypothesis
• Complex hypothesis
• Directional hypothesis
• Non-directional hypothesis
• Null hypothesis
• Associative and casual hypothesis
• Simple Hypothesis
• It shows a relationship between one dependent variable and a single independent variable. For
example – If you eat more vegetables, you will lose weight faster. Here, eating more vegetables is
an independent variable, while losing weight is the dependent variable.

• Complex Hypothesis
• It shows the relationship between two or more dependent variables and two or more independent
variables. Eating more vegetables and fruits leads to weight loss, glowing skin, reduces the risk of
many diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and some cancers.

• Directional Hypothesis
• It shows how a researcher is intellectual and committed to a particular outcome. The relationship
between the variables can also predict its nature. For example- children aged four years eating
proper food over a five-year period are having higher IQ levels than children not having a proper meal.
This shows the effect and direction of effect.
• Non-directional Hypothesis
• It is used when there is no theory involved. It is a statement that a relationship exists between two
variables, without predicting the exact nature (direction) of the relationship.

• Null Hypothesis
• It provides the statement which is contrary to the hypothesis. It’s a negative statement, and there is
no relationship between independent and dependent variables. The symbol is denoted by “HO”.
• The null hypothesis is useful because it can be tested to conclude whether or not there is a
relationship between two measured phenomena. It can inform the user whether the results
obtained are due to chance or manipulating a phenomenon.
• Ex.Taking aspirin daily does not affect heart attack risk.
• Associative and Causal Hypothesis
• Associative hypothesis occurs when there is a change in one variable resulting in a change in the
other variable. Whereas, causal hypothesis proposes a cause and effect interaction between two or
more variables.
• Examples of Hypothesis
• Following are the examples of hypothesis based on their types:
• Consumption of sugary drinks every day leads to obesity is an example of a simple
hypothesis.
• All lilies have the same number of petals is an example of a null hypothesis.
• If a person gets 7 hours of sleep, then he will feel less fatigue than if he sleeps less.
• Functions of Hypothesis
• Following are the functions performed by the hypothesis:
• Hypothesis helps in making an observation and experiments possible.
• It becomes the start point for the investigation.
• Hypothesis helps in verifying the observations.
• It helps in directing the inquiries in the right directions.
How will Hypothesis help in Scientific Method?

• Researchers use hypothesis to put down their thoughts directing how the
experiment would take place. Following are the steps that are involved in the
scientific method:
• Formation of question
• Doing background research
• Creation of hypothesis
• Designing an experiment
• Collection of data
• Result analysis
• Summarizing the experiment
• Communicating the results
• Difficulties in the Formulation of hypothesis:
• 1. Absence of clear theoretical Framework :
Generally, theoretical knowledge is found as unclean and ambiguous which presents difficulty in understanding, therefore, useful hypotheses
cannot be derived from these.
• 2. Lack of logical background 3. Lack of knowledge of scientific method
• There is a need of intelligence and observation ability to avail the theoretical knowledge so that through deduction, the formulation of
hypothesis be done from theoretical knowledge but because of lack of this ability theoretical knowledge cannot be availed and there is
difficulty in meeting useful hypotheses.
• 4. Scientific theory
• 5. Analogies
• 6. Personal experience
• 7.Lack of Acquaintance with available research techniques :
Scientific research procedure is so complicated and vast that complete knowledge and its correct use is difficult and to formulate useful
hypothesis, there is a hesitation and Worry in the minds that how to test them.
• Significance: 1. Hypothesis gives point to enquiry.
• 2. It helps in deciding the direction to proceed with
• 3. It helps in selecting relevant variables
• 4. It helps in drawing specific conclusions

• https://rmlh.nic.in/WriteReadData/LINKS/351289466%20%20%207fd6ea086-a127-4876-a8c7-a88297756923.pdf (you can learn more about variables in this link if you want.)