BY SHEIKH MUBASHAR GANI 9797122820

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Hypothesis Formulation
PRESENTED BY
SHEIKH MUBASHAR GANI
Department of Libraryand Information Science
Jamia Millia Islamia

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Hypothesis Formulation
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS 3
Dependent variables 3
Independent variables 3
Population 4
Relationship 4
Types of hypotheses Simple hypothesis 5
Complex hypothesis 5
Directional hypotheses 5
Non-directional hypotheses 5
Associative and causal hypotheses Associative
hypotheses 5
Causal hypotheses 6
Null hypotheses 6
Testable hypotheses 6
Hypothesis & Formulation of Hypothesis 6
Proper Conclusion 10

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RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is a tool of quantitative studies. It is a tentative and formal prediction about the
relationship between two or more variables in the population being studied, and the
hypothesis translates the research question into a prediction of expected outcomes.
So…a hypothesis is a statement about the relationship between two or more variables that we
set out to prove or disprove in our research study.
To be complete the hypothesis must include three components:
 The variables.
 The population.
 The relationship between the variables.
Variables are
Qualities, properties, and characteristics of persons, things, or situations that change or vary,
and that can be manipulated, measured, or controlled in a research study.
There are different types of variables, namely
Dependent variables
A dependent variable is the response, the behaviour, or the outcome that is predicted and
measured in research.
Changes in the dependent variable are presumed to be caused by the independent variables.
Independent variables
An independent variable is the treatment, the intervention, or the experimental activity that is
manipulated or varied by the researcher during the research study in order to create an effect
(i.e. change) on the dependent variable.

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Population
A population is what we call the entire group of individuals or elements who meet the sampling
criteria.
 A sample is representative of that population.
 So if we were interested in looking at the number of childhood cancers in 2006 in the
United Kingdom (i.e. population), we obviously could not survey the entire population of
children with cancer in that year who live in the United Kingdom, and so consequently
we would look at a smaller sample taken from all the children with cancer in 2006 who
live in the United Kingdom.
Relationship
 This means the relationship between one variable and another, for example, smoking
and lung cancer.
A hypothesis should be:
 stated clearly using appropriate terminology
 testable
 a statement of relationships between variables
 Limited in scope (focused).
Examples of a hypothesis are:
 Health Education programmes influence the number of people who smoke.
 Newspapers affect people's voting pattern.
 Attendance at lectures influences exam marks.
 Diet influences intelligence.

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Types of hypotheses
Simple hypothesis
This predicts the relationship between a single independent variable (IV) and a single dependent
variable (DV)
For example: Lower levels of exercise postpartum (IV) will be associated with greater weight
retention (DV).
Complex hypothesis
This predicts the relationship between two or more independent variables and two or more
dependent variables.
Example of a complex multiple independent variable hypothesis:
Low risk pregnant women (IV) who:
 value health highly;
 believe that engaging in health promoting behaviours will result in positive outcomes;
 perceive fewer barriers to health promoting activities;
 are more likely than other women to attend pregnancy-related education programmes
(DV).
Directional hypotheses
 These are usually derived from theory.
 They may imply that the researcher is intellectually committed to a particular
outcome.
 They specify the expected direction of the relationship between variables i.e. the
researcher predicts not only the existence of a relationship but also its nature.
Non-directional hypotheses
Used when there is little or no theory, or when findings of previous studies are contradictory.
They may imply impartiality. Do not stipulate the direction of the relationship.
Associative and causal hypotheses
Associative hypotheses
Propose relationships between variables - when one variable changes, the other changes.
Do not indicate cause and effect.

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Causal hypotheses
 Propose a cause and effect interaction between two or more variables.
 The independent variable is manipulated to cause effect on the dependent
variable.
 The dependent variable is measured to examine the effect created by the
independent variable.
Null hypotheses
These are used when the researcher believes there is no relationship between two variables or
when there is inadequate theoretical or empirical information to state a research hypothesis
Null hypotheses can be:
 Simple or complex;
 Associative or causal.
Testable hypotheses
 Contain variables that are measurable or able to be manipulated.
 They need to predict a relationship that can be 'supported' or 'not supported'
based on data collection and analysis.
Hypothesis & Formulation of Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a possible answer to a research question. It is a presumption or a hunch
(idea) on the basis of which a study has to be conducted. This hypothesis is tested for possible
rejection or approval. If the hypothesis gets accepted it shows that your hunch was right if it get
rejected it still does not mean that your research was not valid, but it means that it is the opposite
way you thought and perceived. Whether it is approved or not it gives you some conclusion and
adds to the available body of knowledge.

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A hypothesis which has been tested again and again by various researchers can still be tested for
making it more valid but if the hypothesis has been approved in such a manner that it has become
a law that it is better to test something that adds to the available knowledge rather than approving
something which has been approved many times before.
Once you have identified you research question, it is time to formulate your hypothesis. While
the research question is broad and includes all the variables you want your study to consider, the
hypothesis is a statement that specific relationship you expect to find from your examination of
these variables. When formulating the hypothesis(es) for your study, there are a few things you
need to keep in mind. Good hypotheses meet the following criteria:
1) Identify the independent and dependent variables to be studied.
2) Specify the nature of the relationship that exists between these variables.
3) Simple (often referred to as parsimonious). It is better to be concise than to be
long-winded. It is also better to have several simple hypotheses than one
complicated hypothesis.
4) Does not include reference to specific measures.
5) Does not refer to specific statistical procedures that will be used in analysis.
6) Implies the population that you are going to study.
7) Is falsifiable and testable.
As indicated above, it is better to have several simple hypotheses than one complex one.
However, it is also a good idea to limit the number of hypotheses you use in a study to six or
fewer. Studies that address more hypotheses than six will often be too time consuming to keep
participants interested, and uninterested participants do not take the importance of their

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responses as seriously. Another advantage to limiting the number of formal hypotheses you
formulate is that too many can make the discussion section of your paper very hard to write.
Importance of Hypothesis
To the Point Enquiry
Hypothesis makes a research activity to the point and destination, Research without hypothesis is
like a sailor in the sea without compass. So, research is to the point enquiry of problem due to the
guidance of hypothesis.
Development of Research Techniques
There are various types of social problems which are complex in nature. For this research is very
difficult. We cannot cover it with a single technique but it requires many techniques. These
techniques are due to hypothesis provided to a researcher.
Separating Relevant From Irrelevant Observation
A Researcher during study will take the observations and facts which are accordance to the
condition and situation. While drop out the irrelevant facts from his study. This separation is due
to hypothesis formulation which keeps away relevant observation from irrelevant.
Selecting Required Facts
During study a researcher come across many factors but he confined himself to the selection of
required facts through formulation of hypothesis. Hypothesis helps him in selection of relevant
facts regarding to the problematic situation.
Direction of Research
Hypothesis acts as a guide master in research. It gives new knowledge and direction to a
researcher. It directs a scientist to know about the problematic situation and its causes.

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Acts as a Guide
Hypothesis gives new ways and direction to a researcher. It acts as a guide and a leader in
various organizations or society. It is like the investigator’s eye.
Prevents Blind Research
Hypothesis provides lighting to the darkness of research. It gives difference b/w scientific and
unscientific, false and true research. It prevents blind research and give accuracy.
Accuracy & Precision
Hypothesis provides accuracy and precision to a research activity. Accuracy and precision is the
feature of scientific investigation which is possible due to hypothesis.
Link between Theory & Investigation
Theory is a source of hypothesis which leads to its formulation. Hypothesis leads to scientific
investigation. So, hypothesis acts as a bridge b/w theory and investigation.
Link between Assumption & Observation
During formulation hypothesis is in the stage of assumption. In the field it transformed into
hypothesis in working form. This transformation is due to observation in the field. So, it creates a
link between assumption & observation.
Provide answer for a Question
A hypothesis highlights the causes of a problematic situation. Further solution is also given by a
hypothesis which provides answer to a question.
Save Time, Money & Energy
Hypothesis save time, money and energy of a researcher because it is a guide for him and help
him in saving these basic things.

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Proper Data Collection
Hypothesis provides the basis of proper Data Collection Relevant and correct information
collected by a researcher is the main function of a good formulated hypothesis.
Proper Conclusion
A proper formulated hypothesis may lead to a good reasonable, utilized and proper conclusion. If
the hypothesis is better than the conclusions drawn by a researcher would be better for solution
of a problem.