Hypothesis

 1. A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.

2. Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation; an assumption.

3. The antecedent of a conditional statement.

Definition:

A statement that explains or makes generalizations about a set of facts or principles, usually forming a basis for possible experiments to confirm its viability.

Hypothesis is defined as a mere assumption or guess.

 A hypothesis is the main point that you want to prove in a experiment. With out a hypothesis the data that you have collected, is just that data. To create a hypothesis you gather all your data and form a opinion on that data.

 The definition of hypothesis is 'a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument'. A hypothesis is a guess at something to propose a conclusion.

  WHAT IS A HYPOTHESIS?

An hypothesis is a preliminary or tentative explanation or postulate by the researcher of what the researcher considers the outcome of an investigation will be.   It is an informed/educated guess.

It indicates the expectations of the researcher regarding certain variables.  It is the most specific way in which an answer to a problem can be stated.

Mouton's (1990: Chapter 6) and Guy's (1987: 116) presentation of the hypothesis:

Mouton:

Statement postulating a possible relationship between two or more phenomena or variables. 

Guy:

A statement describing a phenomenon or which specifies a relationship between two or more phenomena.

 WHEN IS AN HYPOTHESIS FORMULATED?

An hypothesis is formulated after the problem has been stated and the literature study has been concluded.  It is formulated when the researcher is totally aware of the theoretical and empirical background to the problem.

 

THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF A HYPOTHESIS

• It offers explanations for the relationships between those variables that can be empirically tested.
• It furnishes proof that the researcher has sufficient background knowledge to enable him/her to make suggestions in order to extend existing knowledge.
• It gives direction to an investigation.
• It structures the next phase in the investigation and therefore furnishes continuity to the examination of the problem.

 CHARACTERISTICS OF A HYPOTHESIS

• It should have elucidating power.
• It should strive to furnish an acceptable explanation of the phenomenon.
• It must be verifiable.
• It must be formulated in simple, understandable terms.
• It should correspond with existing knowledge.

    TYPES OF HYPOTHESES

Hypotheses can be classified in terms of their derivation (inductive and deductive hypotheses) and in terms of their formulation (research - directional and non-directional and statistical or null hypotheses).

• RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

It is a relationship between variables and indicates the nature of the relationship.

If A is valid, B follows...

If you hit a child with a Cain, he/she will cry.

Schools in which pupil-teacher relations are open/friendly will have less unrest than comparable schools where pupil-teacher relations are closed/tense.

• NULL HYPOTHESIS

"You are wrong, there is no relation; disprove me if you can" (Kerlinger, 1973)

There is no difference between pupil-teacher relations in unrest schools and pupil-teacher relations in comparable schools which experience no unrest.

NB

• An important requirement for hypotheses is TESTABILITY.
• A condition for testability is CLEAR and UNAMBIGUOUS CONCEPTS.
• A research hypothesis (in empirical research) has to do with relationships between empirical phenomena.  The concepts in a research hypothesis must posses’ single references (indicators) or denotations to identifiable phenomena in reality.
• A central theoretical thesis refers to hypotheses in more theoretical studies.