HYPOTHESIS : DEFINITIONS, FUNCTIONS, AND TYPES.

                                                  HYPOTHESIS

IN THIS ARTICLE YOU WILL LEARN :

• WHAT IS HYPOTHESIS ?

• FUNCTIONS OF HYPOTHESIS ?

• TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS ? 

• QUALITIES OF GOOD HYPOTHESIS ?

• METHOD OF TESTING HYPOTHESIS ?

DEFINITION:-

A hypothesis is a statement of assumption made in relation to research study to test it in terms to truthfulness or not.

SOME OTHER DEFINITIONS OF SCHOLARS ARE :–

According to Goode and Hatt, A hypothesis is a proportion which can be put to test to determine its validity.

According to Rummel and Balline, A hypothesis is a statement capable of being tested and thereby verified or rejected.

According to P.B.Yoan,  a preposition central idea, which became the basis for useful investigation is known as a working hypothesis.

According to Bogardas, hypothesis is a preposition to be tested.

FUNCTIONS OF HYPOTHESIS.

• Hypothesis is developed to test the assumptions. It established a relationship between phenomena in such a way that it can be empirically tested.
• Hypothesis when approved forms thesis, thesis forms theory and theory forms laws.
• The hypothesis explains the social phenomenon associated with them.

TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS:

HYPOTHESIS IS SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH CAN BE BROADLY CLASSIFIED INTO TWO TYPES:

1. General Hypothesis:  As the term suggests this type of hypothesis gives direction at general level. It helps you understand the kind of data needed but, does not lead to any higher theoretical research which may form theory or law. The descriptive method of research uses mostly general hypothesis.
2. Specific Hypothesis:  It is more form of hypothesis. Here, hypothesis is based on the certain standards or it aims at testing whether logically derive relationship between empirical variables. At the most specific hypothesis indicates how changes in one variable affects the other.

HYPOTHESIS MAY BE FURTHER CLASSIFIED AS :

1. Narratives hypothesis :–  This offers the hypothesis based on existence, size, and form or of variables.
2. Cause and effect relationship hypothesis :-  Hypothesis describing a relationship between two variables is said to be relational hypothesis. Here, relationship between variables is observed where change in one variable gives change in other variables. “Fast food eating habits is cause of obesity in children” is a good example.

How to design a good hypothesis:

A GOOD HYPOTHESIS IS ONE WHICH:

1. Clearly defines the assumption will all operational definitions which are easy to understand and communicate.
2. Should be brief so that it meaningfully describes the concept involved in the assumption.
3. Requires limited assumption and conditions to testify it.
4. It should meet the criteria, or disprove or add new knowledge to the theory.
5. Based on phenomena which are easily observed or else it is difficult to test it empirically.
6. Explaining and expected relationship between the variables.
7. Initially researcher should make one hypothesis which is significant and can be easily tested. If he finds a need of designing or formulating number of hypothesis, he should do it.

SOURCE OF HYPOTHESIS :-

1. General culture.
2. Scientific theories
3. Analogy.
4. Personal experience.

ADVANTAGES OF HYPOTHESIS:

1. A hypothesis helps the researcher to decide the size of sample, gather relevant data and analyse it. It acts as a guide which gives directions before proceeding from one step to another.
2. Hypothesis protects a researcher form wasting time in gathering irrelevant facts and data.
3. Hypothesis is basis of the entire research study. A well articulated hypothesis helps in drawing desired finding which can be tested objectively.

Formulation of hypothesis is not an easy task as it requires a strong theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject and also the scientific methods of formulation of hypothesis.

METHODS OF HYPOTHESIS TESTING.

After collection of data is valid or not, hypothesis testing is performed. After testing the hypothesis is the researcher decides either to accept or reject the hypothesis. There are two methods to deal with the hypothesis testing:

1. Parametric test :- It is based on the properties of the parent population from which we draw sample. Parent population means the original population.

For example: The assumption are taken from this population only. It is  the normal population. The sample size is large and the parameters like means, etc. should be accurate.

2. Non-Parametric test :– Due to some situations researcher does not make assumption. Thus they are called non-parametric tests. These tests are based on the measurement equivalent to at least an interval scale. Non-parametric tests need more observation the parametric test.