- A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between variables that can be tested. The null hypothesis predicts no relationship, while alternative hypotheses predict a relationship or difference. - Good hypotheses are testable, specific, and empirically referenced. They should specify the variables and describe a single relationship. Difficulties in formulation may arise from a lack of theoretical framework or ability to phrase the hypothesis strongly. - Hypotheses can come from various sources like past research, discussions, or personal experiences. While some argue hypotheses can bias research, others believe they are necessary for guiding different types of studies.

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESIS
PROF. MAHENDRA KUMAR GHADOLIYA

2. Questions to be asked
• Qualitative Research Questions- Qualitative researchers pose Research questions- not
objectives, not Hypothesis
• Quantitative Research Questions- Questions about relationship of variables that we wish to
know. Hypothesis is the predictions that researcher makes about the expected relationship
of variables.
• What are the questions I need to ask? – Central questions, Sub questions
• Who chooses the research area?
• Why do I select this topic?
• Who is going to support it?
• What are the answers I seek?
• What is a good problem statement?

3. Forms for writing quantitative research questions and hypothesis
If writing hypotheses, use a consistent form:
• Null hypotheses (predict no difference or no relationship)
• Directional hypotheses (predict direction of difference or relationship)
• Nondirectional hypotheses (predict a difference or relationship, but not its
direction)
If writing research questions:
• First, specify descriptive questions for each important variable
• Next, state inferential questions that relate variables or compare groups
• Finally, add questions in which variables are controlled

4. Defining a hypothesis
• Proposing a statement pertaining to a tentative relationship between
variables is called hypothesis. It is a tentative generalization, the
validity of which remains to be tested.
• A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited
evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
• A hypothesis is an assumption about relations between variables.
• Goode and Hatt define it as “a proposition which can be put to test to
determine validity”.

5. What is it not?
• It is not an opinion
• It is not a value judgement
• It is not a normative statement

6. Themes for discussion
• Criteria for hypothesis formation - There exist two criteria for formulation of a good hypothesis. First,
it is a statement about the relations between variables. Secondly it carries clear implications for
testing the stated relations.
• Nature of hypothesis
• Types of hypothesis - Hypotheses may be of various kinds. It may be crude or refined. A crude
hypothesis is at the lower level of abstraction, indicating only the kind of data to be collected, not
leading to higher theoretical research. On the contrary, the refined hypothesis appears to be more
significant in research.
• Difficulties in formulating hypothesis
• Characteristics of a useful hypothesis
• Sources of deriving hypothesis

7. Criteria for hypothesis formation
• It is written as a statement- complete sentence
• It should be empirically testable
• It should be specific and precise
• The statement should not be contradictory
• It should specify the variables
• It should describe one issue only. It is to be restricted

8. Nature of hypothesis
• It must accurately reflect the facts
• It must not contradict relevant statements
• It must consider the experience of other researcher

9. Types of Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis-
Specific statement about a Population Parameter made for the
purposes of argument.
States the assumption to be tested
Null Hypothesis is always about the population parameter, not about a
sample statistic.
The absence of relationship or difference in results any relationship or
difference is due to chance or sampling error

10. Alternative hypothesis-
• Represents all other possible parameter values except that stated
in the null hypothesis.
• Challenges to the status quo
• It is the hypothesis that is believed and needs to be supported by
the researcher.

11. Directional Hypothesis-
• Directional hypothesis expresses relationship between the
variables under study.
• Assumption that is specified and objective in nature.
• Points a direction and requires evidence from literature

12. • Working hypothesis- just based on tentative knowledge of the problem
• Research hypothesis – Statements in words as to what the Researcher
expects to prove.
• Scientific hypothesis- objective , value neutral
• Statistical hypothesis- Statement in statistical terms as to what would
be found if the research hypothesis is true. This predicts relationship
among variables

13. Difficulties in formulating Hypothesis
• Inability to frame or phrase the Hypothesis strongly
• Absence of clear theoretical framework or knowledge
• Lack of ability to utilise the theoretical framework
• Rigid control
• Lack of access to primary sources

14. Characteristics of a useful Hypothesis
• Power of prediction
• Conceptual clarity
• Empirical references
• Specificity- It should be for a specific problem. It should be
relevant to the problem
• Relevant to the available techniques
• Testability

15. Sources of deriving Hypothesis
• Cultural contexts & value systems
• Past research
• Folk wisdom
• Discussions & conversations
• Personal experiences
• Intuitions

16. Concluding remark/criticism of Hypothesis
Two broad schools of thought:
• One, no positive contribution, may bias research, predetermine
outcome
• Second, all types of research needs hypothesis
• Qualitative researchers claim hypotheses should result from
investigation