What is a Research Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a statement that raises a research question and suggests a possible outcome. It is an essential component of the scientific method and serves as the foundation for scientific experiments. As a result, when developing your theory, you must be cautious and thorough. A small error in your hypothesis' construction may have a negative impact on your experiment.
Characteristics of a Good Research Hypothesis
Since a research hypothesis is a concrete, testable assumption about what you expect to happen in a sample, you may want to draw hypothesis from previously published research that is focused on the theory.
A successful study hypothesis necessitates more than a guess. Your hypothesis might start with a question that can be investigated further through background research.
To assist you in developing a viable research hypothesis, consider the following questions.
Is the language clear and focused?
What is the relationship between your hypothesis and your research topic?
Is your hypothesis testable? If yes, then how?
What are the possible explanations that you might want to explore?
Does your hypothesis include both an independent and dependent variable?
Can you manipulate your variables without hampering the ethical standards?
The questions listed above can be used as a checklist to make sure your hypothesis is based on a solid foundation. Furthermore, it can help you identify weaknesses in your hypothesis and revise it if necessary.
Types of Research Hypothesis
Research hypothesis can be classified into seven categories as stated below:
1. Simple Hypothesis
It predicts the relationship between a single dependent variable and a single independent variable.
2. Complex Hypothesis
It predicts the relationship between two or more independent and dependent variables.
3. Directional Hypothesis
It specifies the expected direction to be followed to determine the relationship between variables, and is derived from theory. Furthermore, it implies researcher’s intellectual commitment to a particular outcome.
4. Non-directional Hypothesis
It does not predict the exact direction or nature of the relationship between the two variables. Non-directional hypothesis is used when there is no theory involved or when findings contradict previous research.
5. Associative and Causal Hypothesis
Associative hypothesis defines interdependency between variables. A change in one variable results in the change of the other variable. On the other hand, causal hypothesis proposes an effect on the dependent due to manipulation of the independent variable.
6. Null Hypothesis
It states a negative statement to support the researcher’s findings that there is no relationship between two variables.
7. Alternative Hypothesis
It states that there is a relationship between the two variables of the study and that the results are significant to the research topic.
How to Formulate an Effective Research Hypothesis
A testable hypothesis is more than a straightforward assertion. It's a complicated statement that must include a concise introduction to a research experiment, its goals, and potential outcomes. When creating a convincing theory, there are a few things to keep in mind.
State the problem that you are trying to solve.
Make sure that the hypothesis clearly defines the topic and the focus of the experiment.
Try to write the hypothesis as an if-then statement.
Follow this template: If a specific action is taken, then a certain outcome is expected.
Define the variables
Independent variables are the ones which are manipulated, controlled, or changed. Independent variables are isolated from other factors of the study.
Dependent variables, as name suggests are dependent on other factors of the study. They are influenced by the change in independent variable.
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