This document defines and discusses hypotheses. It begins by defining a hypothesis as an assumption or educated guess that is intended to be tested. It then provides definitions of hypotheses from several scholars and discusses their key characteristics. Hypotheses are categorized as null or alternative, directional or non-directional, and deductive or inductive. The document outlines guidelines for forming a hypothesis and testing it, including relating it to the research problem, making it clear and testable, and falsifiable. In summary, this document provides an overview of what a hypothesis is and best practices for developing and testing one.

1. Basharat Rasheed Mirza

2.  Meaning of Hypothesis
 Definition of Hypothesis
 Characteristics of Hypothesis
 Categories of Hypothesis
 Forming a Hypothesis
 Testing of Hypothesis

3.  Hypothesis means mere assumptions
or suppositions which are to be
proved or disproved.
 Hypothesis is a formal question that is
intended to resolve.

4.  A wild or wise guess
 An educated guess
 A tentative point of view
 A proposition not yet tested
 A preliminary explanation
 A preliminary Postulate

5.  “A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relation
between two or more variables”. (Kerlinger, 1956)
 “Hypotheses are single tentative guesses, good hunches
– assumed for use in devising theory or planning
experiments intended to be given a direct experimental
test when possible”. (Eric Rogers, 1966)
 “Hypothesis is a formal statement that presents the
expected relationship between an independent and
dependent variable.”(Creswell, 1994)

6.  Guides/gives direction to the study/investigation
 Defines Facts that are relevant and not relevant
 Suggests which form of research design is likely to be the
most appropriate
 Provides a framework for organizing the conclusions of the
findings
 Limits the research to specific area
 Offers explanations for the relationships between those
variables that can be empirically tested
 Furnishes proof that the researcher has sufficient background
knowledge to enable her/him to make suggestions in order to
extend existing knowledge
 Structures the next phase in the investigation and therefore
furnishes continuity to the examination of the problem

7.  Related to problem
 Clear & Precise
 Amenable with time
 Testable
 States relation
 Specific & Simple

8. A hypothesis
 must make a prediction
 must identify at least two variables
 should have an elucidating power
 should strive to furnish an acceptable explanation or
accounting of a fact
 must be falsifiable meaning hypotheses must be
capable of being refuted based on the results of the
study
 must be formulated in simple, understandable terms
 should correspond with existing knowledge
 In general, a hypothesis needs to be unambiguous,
specific, quantifiable, testable and generalize-able.

9. Can be categorized in different ways
1. Based on their formulation
 Null Hypotheses and Alternate Hypotheses
2. Based on direction
 Directional and Non-directional Hypothesis
3. Based on their derivation
 Inductive and Deductive Hypotheses

10.  Null hypothesis always predicts that there is
no relationship between the variables being
studied.
 The researcher wishes to disapprove this
hypothesis.
 It is denoted by H0
 For example:
◦ “There is no relationship between learning and
intelligence.”

11.  The alternate hypothesis always predicts
that there will be a relationship between the
variables being studied.
 It is denoted by Ha
Non Directional
Hypothesis
Directional
Hypothesis

12.  If the hypothesis simply predicts that there will be a
difference between the two groups, then it is a non-
directional hypothesis. It is non-directional because it
predicts that there will be a difference but does not
specify how the groups will differ.
 e.g. Lack of attention leads to failure.
 If, however, the hypothesis uses so-called comparison
terms, such as “greater,”“less,”“better,” or “worse,” then
its a directional hypothesis. It is directional because it
predicts that there will be a difference between the two
groups and it specifies how the two groups will differ.
 e.g. A person whose attitude is positive towards studies
is more likely to succeed than one who do not.

13.  A hypothesis is formulated after
 the problem has been stated and
 the literature study has been conducted
 It is formulated when the researcher is totally
aware of the theoretical and empirical
background to the problem
 Hypotheses is formulated using induction and
deduction method
 Hypothesis will be generated from the
problem statement.

14.  Read the problem statement thoroughly.
 Narrow or limit it and express it as a research
question.
 A research hypothesis has two elements(variables)
that are in relation to one another.
 Avoid judgmental words in hypothesis.
 Hypothesis must involve an issue or question that
cannot be answered exclusively.
 It is best to choose a hypothesis where there is some
level of familiarity with the disciplines that are most
relevant to the topic.
 All the terms must be clearly understood and defined.
 It is to be noted that hypothesis may change over
time as the research progresses.

15. Making a Formal
Statement
Selecting a
significance level
Deciding the
distribution to
use
Selecting a
random sample
& compute
appropriate value
Calculation of
probability
Comparing the
probability

16. Thank you