This document discusses research methodology concepts related to variables and hypotheses. It defines key terms like variables, independent and dependent variables, and different types of hypotheses. The document provides examples and explanations of these concepts. It outlines the objectives of understanding variables, hypothesis sources and types, and characteristics of a good hypothesis.

1. Research Methodology
Somalia International University
faculty of health sciences
Mr. Mohamed Hassan tacshir
Email: tacshiir@gmail.com

2. VARIABLES AND HYPOTHESES
 Objectives
 Introduction
 Meaning of variables
 Types of variables (independent, dependent )
 Concept of hypothesis
 Sources of hypothesis
 Types of hypothesis
 Characteristics of a good hypothesis

3. OBJECTIVES:
 After reading this unit you will be able to:
 Define variables
 Identify the different types of variables
 Show the relationship between the variables
 Explain the concept of hypotheses
 State the sources of hypotheses
 Explain different types of hypothesis
 Identify types of hypothesis
 Describe the characteristics of a good hypothesis

4. A variable
 A variable is any entity that can take on
different values. So what does that mean?
Anything that can vary can be considered a
variable. For instance, age can be
considered a variable because age can take
different values for different people or for
the same person at different times.
Similarly, country can be considered a
variable because a person's country can be
assigned a value

5. A variable
 A variable is a concept or abstract idea that
can be described in measurable terms. In
research, this term refers to the measurable
characteristics, qualities, traits, or attributes
of a particular individual, object, or
situation being studied.

6. Con…
 Variables are things that we measure,
control, or manipulate in research. They
differ in many respects, most notably in the
role they are given in our research and in
the type of measures that can be applied to
them

7. variable
 A variable is an object, event, idea, feeling,
time period, or any other type of category
you are trying to measure. There are two
types of variables-independent and
dependent.

8. Con…
 By itself, the statement of the problem
usually provides only general direction for
the research study; it does not include all
the specific information. There is some
basic terminology that is extremely
important in how we communicate specific
information about research problems and
about research in general.

9. Example of variable
 A concept which can take on different
quantitative values is called a variable. As
such the concepts like weight, height,
income are all examples of variables.
Qualitative phenomena (or the attributes)
are also quantified on the basis of the
presence or absence of the concerning
attributes(s). Age is an example of
continuous variable, but the number of male
and female respondents is an example of
discrete variable.

10. TYPES OF VARIABLES:
 There are many classification systems given
in the literature the names we use are
descriptive; they describe the roles that
variables play in a research study. The
variables described below by no means
exhaust the different systems and names
that exist, but they are the most useful for
communicating about educational research.

11. Difference of variable
 An independent variable is the variable that
is changed or controlled in a scientific
experiment to test the effects on the
dependent variable
 A dependent variable is the variable being
tested and measured in a scientific
experiment

12. Independent variables:
 An independent variable is exactly what it
sounds like. It is a variable that stands alone
and isn't changed by the other variables you
are trying to measure. For example,
someone's age might be an independent
variable. Other factors (such as what they
eat, how much they go to school, how much
television they watch) aren't going to
change a person's age. In fact, when you are
looking for some kind of relationship
between variables you are trying to see if
the independent variable causes some kind

13. Dependent variables:
Dependent variables are the outcome
variables and are the variables for which we
calculate statistics. The variable which
changes on account of independent variable
is known as dependent variable.


14. Consider other examples of independent
and dependent variables
 Example 1: A study of teacher-student
classroom interaction at different levels of
schooling.
 Independent variable: Level of schooling,
four categories – primary, upper primary,
secondary and junior college.
 Dependent variable: Score on a classroom
observation inventory, which measures
teacher – student interaction

15.  Example 2: A comparative study of the
professional attitudes of secondary school
teachers by gender.
 Independent variable: Gender of the teacher
– male, female.
 Dependent variable: Score on a professional
attitude inventory

16. CONCEPT OF HYPOTHESIS
 Hypothesis is usually considered as the
principal instrument in research. The
derivation of a suitable hypothesis goes
hand in hand with the selection of a
research problem.
 What a researcher is looking for is a
working or positive hypothesis.

17. Meaning:
 The word hypothesis (plural is hypotheses)
is derived from the Greek word –
‘hypotithenai’ meaning ‘to put under’ or ‘to
suppose’ for a hypothesis to be put forward
as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific
method requires that one can test it.

18. hypothesis
 an idea or explanation for something that
is based on known facts but has
not yet been proven

19. Importance of the Hypotheses
 The importance of hypotheses is generally
recognized more in the studies which aim to
make predictions about some outcome. In
experimental research, the researchers is
interested in making predictions about the
outcome of the experiment or what the
results are expected to show and therefore
the role of hypotheses is considered to be of
utmost importance.

20. Importance of the Hypotheses
 Hypotheses facilitate the extension of
knowledge in an area
 Hypotheses provide the researcher with
rational statements
 Hypotheses provide direction to the
research. It defines what is relevant and
what is irrelevant.
 Hypotheses provide the basis for reporting
the conclusions of the study

21. SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS
 Review of similar studies in the area or of
the studies on similar problems;
 Examination of data and records, if
available, concerning the problem for
possible trends
 Discussions with colleagues and experts
about the problem, its origin

22. TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
The six most common forms of hypotheses
are:
 Simple Hypothesis
 Complex Hypothesis
 Empirical Hypothesis
 Null Hypothesis (Denoted by "HO")
 Alternative Hypothesis (Denoted by "H1")
 Logical Hypothesis
 Statistical Hypothesis

23. Con…
 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.

24. Con…
 A complex hypothesis examines the
relationship between two or more
independent variables and two or more
dependent variables.

25. Con…
 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.

26. Con…
 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.

27. Con…
 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.

28. Con…
 A statistical hypothesis is an examination
of a portion of a population.

29. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
HYPOTHESIS
 Hypothesis should be clear and precise.
 Hypothesis should be capable of being
tested
 Hypothesis should state relationship
between variables
 Hypothesis should be limited in scope and
must be specific.