HYPOTHESIS

WHAT IS A HYPOTHESIS?
A hypothesis is a tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to some phenomenon or event. A useful hypothesis is a testable statement which may include a prediction. A hypothesis should not be confused with a theory. Theories are general explanations based on a large amount of data.
According to Kendra Cherry 2009, a hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in our study.
According to McGuigan, Hypothesis is testable statement of a potential relationship between two or more variables.

Characteristics of hypothesis:
Hypothesis must possess the following characteristics:
(i) Hypothesis should be clear and precise. If the hypothesis is not clear and precise, the inferences drawn on its basis cannot be taken as reliable.
(ii) Hypothesis should be capable of being tested.
(iii) Hypothesis should state relationship between variables, if it happens to be a relational hypothesis.
(iv) Hypothesis should be limited in scope and must be specific. A researcher must remember that narrower hypotheses are generally more testable and he should develop such hypotheses.
(v) Hypothesis should be stated as far as possible in most simple terms so that the same is easily understandable by all concerned.
(vi) Hypothesis should be consistent with most known facts i.e., it must be consistent with a substantial body of established facts.
(vii) Hypothesis should be amenable to testing within a reasonable time.
(viii) Hypothesis must explain the facts that gave rise to the need for explanation.

Sources of Hypothesis:
There are only four sources.



1. Theory

A theory defined as "A group of logically organized laws"(Marx)

Theory is of two type functions. According to Marx
1. Tool Function Theory
2. Goal Function Theory

The tool function is evidenced by the proportions that theories guide research. The goal function is that laws are ordered and integrated by theories; Theories summarizes and integrate existing knowledge.

2. Everyday Life
As we proceed through the daily routine dictated by our current point in life, we come into contact with many phenomena that pose questions in need of solution. Parents want to know how to handle their children; students want to know how to learn material faster. When we interact with others or see others react, we note many individual differences.

3. Practical Issues
Many experimental problems arise from practical issues that require solutions. Private industry faces problems such as employee moral, absenteeism, turnover, selection and placement to name only a few. Counseling and clinical psychology is the need of a great deal of research to identify more efficient modes of dealing with mental disturbances.

4. Past Research

previously conducted research/experiments are an excellent source of research ideas. Each well-designed study does provide additional knowledge, phenomena are multi-determined. In any experiment only a limited number of variables can be studied. Investigation of certain variables may lead to hypothesis about the effects of other variables.


Formulate a Hypothesis;
When research is conducted hypothesis formulation is one of the most preliminary steps.
A hypothesis is a concept that has yet to be verified, but if proved true would explain certain facts about a specific phenomena.
A hypothesis is formulated after the problem has been stated and the literature study has been concluded.
It is formulated when the researcher is totally aware of the theoretical and empirical background to the problem.
Hypothesis serves a valuable function.
Always hypothesis derived from knowledge obtained from the theory, everyday life experiences, practical issues and past research. Such prior knowledge serves as the basis for the hypothesis. If the experiment confirms the hypothesis then in addition to providing an answer to the question asked, it gives to the additional support to the literature that suggested the hypothesis.
But what if the hypothesis is not confirmed by the experiment then either the hypothesis false or some error exists in the conception of the hypothesis.
Failure to support a hypothesis may indicate that something is wrong and it’s up to the experimenter to discover what it is.
Once the experimenter uncovers what he thinks is wrong, a new hypothesis is made to be tested experimentally.
Even if the hypothesis is false, knowledge has been advanced we must formulate another hypothesis to test in order to reach a solution to the problem.

THE PURPOSE OF HYPOTHESIS
• It offers explanations for the relationships between those variables that can be empirically tested.
• It furnishes proof that the researcher has sufficient background knowledge to enable him/her to make suggestions in order to extend existing knowledge.
• It gives direction to an investigation.
• It structures the next phase in the investigation and therefore furnishes continuity to the examination of the problem.