Hypothesis Formulation in Research: Types and Uses

Posted on Feb 17, 2025 in Statistics

Hypothesis Formulation

Scenarios show us what we are looking for or trying to prove and can be defined as tentative explanations of the phenomenon under investigation, made by way of propositions. A variable is a property that may vary (to acquire different values) and whose variation is susceptible to measurement.

Research: Hypotheses, Questions, and Objectives

Assumptions commonly arise from the objectives and research questions.

Origin of Hypotheses

Our hypotheses can arise from a postulate of a theory, the analysis of empirical generalizations relevant to our research problem, and background studies reviewed or consulted.

Key Features of a Hypothesis

  1. The scenarios should address a real social situation.
  2. The terms (variables) of the hypothesis must be understandable, accurate, and as specific as possible.
  3. The relationship between variables suggested by a hypothesis should be clear and credible (logical).
  4. The terms of the hypothesis and the relationship between them are to be observed and measured, or have referents in reality.
  5. The assumptions should be related to available techniques for testing.

Types of Hypotheses

  1. Research hypotheses
  2. Null hypotheses
  3. Alternative hypotheses
  4. Statistical hypotheses

Null Hypotheses

Null hypotheses are, in a sense, the reverse of the research hypotheses. They are also propositions about the relationship between variables that only serve to refute or deny the assertions of the research hypotheses.

Alternative Hypotheses

As their name suggests, alternative hypotheses are likely “alternatives” to the research and null hypotheses.

Statistical Hypotheses

Statistical hypotheses are the transformation of the research, null, or alternative hypotheses into statistical symbols.

Utility of Hypotheses

  1. First, they are the guides of an investigation.
  2. Second, they have a descriptive and explanatory function.
  3. The third function is to test theories.
  4. A fourth function is to suggest theories.

Abstract: Types of Research Studies

  1. Once we have carried out the literature review and refined the plan of the problem, we consider the extent of our research: exploratory, descriptive, correlational, or explanatory. That is, how far (in terms of knowledge) may our study reach?
  2. No type of study is superior to others; all are significant and valuable. The difference in choosing one or another type of research is the degree of development of knowledge on the subject to study and two raised goals.
  3. Exploratory studies aim at a topic essential to becoming familiar with unknown, little-studied, or novel phenomena. This sort of research serves to develop methods used in further studies.
  4. Descriptive studies are used to analyze how a phenomenon and its components manifest (e.g., the level of achievement of a group, how many people watch a TV program, and why they see it or not, etc.).
  5. Correlational studies are intended to see how various phenomena are related to or linked together (or not related).
  6. Explanatory studies seek to find the reasons or causes of certain phenomena. For instance, on a personal everyday level, one might want to investigate why Brenda likes to go dancing at a particular disco or why a building was set on fire.
  7. The same investigation may include exploratory purposes in the beginning and end up being descriptive, correlational, and even explanatory; all according to research objectives.

Key Concepts:

  • Exploration
  • Description
  • Correlation
  • Explanation
  • Generic Type of Study