RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

• A hypothesis is defined as an educated guess or a tentative answer to the

research question . it is a statement about an expected relationship between
two variables.
• Approximate explanation that relates to the set of facts that can be tested by
certain further investigations
For example, using the color of the background for a Web site discussed
previously, the researcher may use theoretical reasoning to develop the following
hypothesis:
• H1: A website with a blue background will generate more sales than an otherwise identical
Website with a red background
 EXAMPLE

using the color of the background for a Web site discussed previously, the
researcher may use theoretical reasoning to develop the following hypothesis:
• H1: A website with a blue background will generate more sales than an otherwise identical
website with a red background

Retirement benefits and intention to leave are variables, reflecting the

concepts of employee treatment and employee loyalty
 HYPOTHESIS CAN BE

✓Assumptions
✓Tentative statements
✓Propositions
✓Answering the questions
✓Proposed solution to a problem
✓Statements which are to be tested
✓To be accepted of rejected
✓To be verified empirically on the basis of sample
 ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
HYPOTHESIS

1. Testing of the theories

2. Provides guidance to the research
3. Acts as a bridge between the theory and the investigation
4. Helps in knowing the most suitable technique of analysis
5. Helps in the determination of the most suitable type of research
6. Helps in focusing research under the direction of the hypothesis.
 SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS

1. Observations made in routine activities

2. Intuitions and personal experiences
3. Theories based on the scientific approach
4. Analogies casual observations in nature
5. Knowledge obtained from the functional executives
6. Results of the research and development department
7. Experience of the investigator/researcher
8. Culture –castes, beliefs, habits, behaviour
 CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPOTHESIS


1. Should be very specific in nature

2. Concept of the hypothesis should be clear
3. Should be empirically testable
4. Should be related to the devices and the techniques that are available
5. Should relate to the body of the theory
6. Should recognize the specific variables and their relation
 NOTICE HOW THE FOLLOWING HYPOTHESES EXPRESS EXPECTED
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN VARIABLES


1) There is a positive relationship between buying on the Internet and the

presence of younger children in the home.
2) Sales are lower for salespeople in regions that receive less advertising
support.
3) Consumers will experience cognitive dissonance after the decision to
adopt a TiVo personal video recorder.
4) Opinion leaders are more affected by mass media communication sources
than are non-leaders.
 TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS


1. Explanatory/Descriptive Hypothesis: state the existence, size, form, or

distribution of some variable. Researchers often use a research question
rather than a descriptive hypothesis

Descriptive Hypothesis format Research Question Format

1. Indian cities (cases) are experiencing
budget difficulties (variable)
2. Bangalore (case) has more than average
market share (variable) for Frito-Lay
snacks
1. Are Indian cities experiencing budget
difficulties?
2. What is the market share for our Snacks
(Frito-Lay) in Bangalore?
2. Relational Hypothesis: state the existence, size, form, or distribution of some
variable. Researchers often use a research question rather than a descriptive
hypothesis:
i. Correlational: state that the variables occur together in some specified manner without implying
that one causes the other.

Example

ii. Causal: there is an implication that the existence of or a change in one variable causes or leads to
a change in the other variable.
Example According to a study- “Poor parenting linked to underachievement at
school” (University of London’s Institute for Education)
# large numbers of brothers and sisters, parents with poor literacy skills had a negative impact on results
in higher education
# parental divorce or constant arguing among parents after the age of 7 was closely associated with “lower
educational attainment” 
# over-protected by parents
3. Null Hypothesis – it points out there is no difference between two populations
in respect of same property.