Hypothesis in Research Methodology

1. By
Dr. H.S. ABZAL BASHA, M.B.A., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Department of Management Studies,
G. Pullaiah College of Engineering & Technology,
Kurnool.
INTRODUCTION TO HYPOTHESIS

2.  Introduction
 Characteristics
 Purpose
Variables
Sources
Types of Hypothesis
Example
Types of Tests
Testing Procedure

3. What is Hypothesis?
Ordinarily, when one talks about hypothesis, one simply
means a mere assumption or some supposition to be
proved or disproved.
A hypothesis may be defined as a proposition or a set of
proposition set forth as an explanation for the occurrence
of some specified group of phenomena either asserted
merely as a provisional conjecture to guide some
investigation or accepted as highly probable in the light
of established facts.
Quite often a research hypothesis is a predictive
statement, capable of being tested by scientific methods,
that relates an independent variable to some dependent

4. Definition
“A hypothesis is a tentative generalization, the validity of
which remains to be tested. In its most elementary stage, the
hypothesis may be a mere bunch, imaginative data which
becomes the basis for action or investigation”. -
George A. Lundberg
"When propositions are formulated or empirically tested,
they are called hypothesis. Propositions are combinations of
concepts designated by statements that may be judged true
or false, if they refer to observable phenomena”. -
William E. Emory
“A hypothesis is a suggested solution for an unexplained
occurrence that does not fit into current accepted scientific

6. Characteristics
Characteristics
 Clarity of Concepts
 Specific/ Clear
 Ability to Test
 Hypothesis should state relationship between variables
 Limited in Scope
 Hypothesis should be simple terms
 Consistent
 Statistical Tools
 Logical
 Subjectivity

7. Objectives or Purpose of
Hypothesis
A hypothesis should always:
Explain what you expect to happen
Be clear and understandable
Be testable
Be measurable
And contain an independent and dependent
variable

8. Variables
 1. Dependent Variable
 2. Independent Variable
 3. Controlled Variable
 4. Extraneous Variable

9. Sources of Hypothesis
 Theory : Theory on the subject can act as a source of
hypothesis. We start of from a general premise and then
formulate hypothesis.
 Public enterprise has greater social concern than other
enterprise
 People's perception of government enterprise is social
concern.
 Govt. enterprise helps in improving the life of less privileged
people.
 Observation : People's behavior is observed. In this method
we use observed behavior to infer the attitudes.
 Past Experience : Here researcher goes by past experience to
formulate the hypothesis.
 Case Studies : Case studies published can be used as a

10. Types of Hypothesis
1. Simple Hypothesis
2. Complex Hypothesis
3. Empirical Hypothesis
4. Null Hypothesis (Denoted by "HO")
5. Alternative Hypothesis (Denoted by
"H1")
6. Logical Hypothesis
7. Statistical Hypothesis

11. A 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.
A complex hypothesis examines the relationship between two or
more independent variables and two or more dependent variables.
Overweight adults who 1) value longevity and 2) seek happiness
are more likely than other adults to 1) lose their excess weight and
2) feel a more regular sense of joy.
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. This is something to
attempt to disprove or discredit.
This is where the alternative hypothesis (H1) enters the scene. In
an attempt to disprove a null hypothesis, researchers will seek to
discover an alternative hypothesis.
My health improves during the times when I drink green tea only, as
opposed to root beer only.

12. 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.
Cacti experience more successful growth rates than tulips on Mars.
(Until we're able to test plant growth in Mars' ground for an extended
period of time, the evidence for this claim will be limited and the
hypothesis will only remain logical.)
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. It's actually going
through some trial and error, and perhaps changing around those
independent variables.
Roses watered with liquid Vitamin B grow faster than roses watered
with liquid Vitamin E. (Here, trial and error is leading to a series of
findings.)
A statistical hypothesis is an examination of a portion of a
population.
If you wanted to conduct a study on the life expectancy of

13. Research Hypotheses Example
Example:
 H1: There is a significant relationship
between talent management and
performance of the employees.
 H0: There is no significant relationship
between talent management and
performance of the employees.

14. Types of Hypotheses Tests
 T-test: t-test is used to compare the means of two
given samples (Variable A and B are independent).
 Z-Test: it is used to validate a hypothesis that the
sample drawn belongs to the same population.
 ANOVA test: used to compare multiple(three or more)
samples with a single test.
 Chi-square test: used to compare categorical
variables. (Variable A and B are not independent)

15. Hypothesis Testing Procedure

17. "Good Decisions come from Information.
Information comes from effective Research.”
- Mark Twain