1. Research Hypothesis
Dr. RS Mehta

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6. Other Types of Hypothesis
1. Associative hypothesis: Variables or
concepts that occur or exit together. If one
variable changes the other variable changes.
2. Causal hypothesis: Independent variable is
thought to cause or determine the presence
of a dependent variables.
3. Complex hypothesis: relationships
(association or causal) among three or more
variables.
Dr. RS Mehta

7. Other Types of Hypothesis (continue)
4. Directional hypothesis: Hypothesis stating
the specific nature of interaction or
relationship between two or more variables.
5. Non-directional hypothesis: relationship exist
but does not predict the exact nature of the
relationship.
6. Null hypothesis: stating that no relationship
exists between the variables being studied.
Dr. RS Mehta

8. 7. Research Hypothesis:
- alternatives to null hypothesis.
- states a relationship exists between two or
more variables.
8. Simple hypothesis: relationship (associative
or causal) between two variables.
Dr. RS Mehta

9. RESEARCH DESIGN AND
IMPLEMENTATION:
FORMULATING A HYPOTHESIS
Dr. RS Mehta

10. Generating Aims
• The starting point for any research
• The aims consist of the idea you wish to investigate.
• The intended purpose of your investigation , what
you are trying to discover.
• In non experimental investigations the aims may be
wide particularly in an investigation which qualitative
data will be analysed.
• In experimental investigations where quantitative
data is analysed the aim is to test 1 or more specific
hypothesis.
Dr. RS Mehta

11. FORMULATING A HYPOTHESIS
•
A research hypothesis is a testable statement. It is a general
prediction made at the beginning of a research investigation
about what you expect to happen.
• The hypothesis must be phrased so that it is clear and
testable.
Consider the research hypothesis
“ NOISE AFFECTS STRESS”
This is too vague if begs too many questions to be tested
precisely
Dr. RS Mehta

12. FORMULATING A HYPOTHESIS
EG
•
•
•
•
What kind of noise are we talking about?
How will noise affect stress?
How will we define and measure stress?
Activity: Try to replace the above hypothesis with a precise
and testable one.
The new hypothesis should be based on operationalised
independent and dependent variables and how these two
relate.
Dr. RS Mehta

13. THE NULL & ALTERNATIVE
HYPOTHESIS
• Researchers refer to 2 different hypothesis when analysing
the data .
• The null hypothesis - predicts the results obtained are due to
chance
If the likelihood of the results occurring are by chance is remote
then the null hypothesis can be rejected and the alternative
/experimental hypothesis can be accepted.
Dr. RS Mehta

14. The alternative hypothesis
• This predicts that something other than
chance has played a part in producing the
results obtained.
• If the design of the investigation is highly
controlled these should be only 1 explanation
for the results
THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
Dr. RS Mehta

15. ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS
• This can be described as being DIRECTIONAL,
this predicts the direction in which the results
are expected to occur.
E.g. “unpredictable noise will increase blood
pressure”..
Dr. RS Mehta

16. ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS CONT.
• A NON DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS. This does
not predict a direction of outcome
E.g. “There is a difference in the number of words
recalled from word lists, with or without
background music”.
This does not predict a direction of how background
music will effect recall.
Dr. RS Mehta

17. Directional & Non directional
hypothesis
• One tailed – directional hypothesis.
• Two tailed – non directional hypothesis.
• The null hypothesis can also be directional and non
directional.
• The null hypothesis states that the alternative hypothesis is
true.
• The null is the most hypothesis of the hypotheses. As it is the
null hypothesis that is actually tested.
Dr. RS Mehta

18. Devising your own hypothesis
•
Select 4 areas of Psychological research which you have
studied.
1. Devise a research hypothesis for each area, together with
the null and alternative hypothesis, which would be
appropriate in these areas.
2. Provide an example of a directional, non directional,
alternative and null hypothesis in each area.
Dr. RS Mehta

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