Hypothesis in Psychological Research

Hypothesis 

In

Psychological Research

In conducting research, the second important consideration after the formulation of a research problem is the construction of hypothesis. Any scientific inquiry starts with the statement of a solvable problem, when the problem has been stated, a tentative solution in the form of testable proposition is offered by the researcher. The testable proposition and potential answer are termed a hypothesis. 

Therefore a hypothesis is nothing but a suggested, testable and proposed answer to a problem.

By stating a specific hypothesis, the researcher narrows the focus of the data collection effort and is able to design a data collection procedure which is aimed at testing the plausibility of the hypothesis as a possible statement of the relationship between the terms of the research problem.

☆ Definition of Hypothesis ☆

Several experts have defined hypothesis more or less in the same way. According to Kerlinger (1973), a hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relation between two or more variables.

According to McQuigan (1970), hypothesis is a testable statement having the potential relationship between two or more variables. In other words, the hypothesis in one way is advanced as a potential solution to problem.

On the basis of these definitions two criteria for good hypothesis and hypothesis statement can be suggested:
(i) Hypotheses are statements about the relation between two or more variables.
(ii) Hypotheses carry clear implication for testing the stated relations.

These criteria mean that hypothesis contains two or more variables which are measurable or potentially measurable and hypothesis exhibits either a general or specific relationship between the variables.

☆ Characteristics of a Hypothesis ☆

There are a number of considerations one should keep in mind when constructing a hypothesis, as they are important for valid verification.

¤ Hypothesis should be simple, specific and conceptually clear. There is no place of ambiguity in the construction of hypothesis, it should be 'unidimensional' i.e. it should test only one relationship at a time; the average scores in maths subjects of the male students in the class is higher than the female students.

¤ A hypothesis should be capable of verification: methods and techniques must be available for data collection.

¤ A hypothesis should be operationalisable. This means that it can be expressed in terms that can be measured. If it cannot be measured and tested and, hence, no conclusions can be drawn.

¤ A hypothesis should be related to the existing body of knowledge.

¤ A hypothesis should  has equal chances of confirmation and rejection.

¤ A hypothesis should be parsimonious.

¤ A hypothesis should be method oriented.

☆ Functions of Hypothesis ☆

A hypothesis serves the following functions:

1. The formulation of a hypothesis provides a study with focus.

2. It tell you what specific aspects of a research problem to investigate.

3. It tells what data to collect and what not to collect.

4. The construction of a hypothesis enhances objectivity in a study.

The process of testing a hypothesis goes through 3 phases as given below (Kumar, 2002: Research Methodology) :

PHASE -1: Formulate your hunch or assumption.

PHASE -2: Collect the required data.

PHASE -3: Analyse data to draw conclusion about the hunch --- true or false.

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