methodology of research - assumptions and the research hypothesis

Methodology of Research

Topic IV: The Research Title and Statement of the Problem

Topic IV: The Research Title and Statement of the Problem

Christian Paul Peligro

Assumptions and the Research Hypothesis

Assumption defined

Assumption defined (meriam-webster) Origin of ASSUMPTION

Middle English, from Late Latin assumption-, assumptio taking up, from Latin assumereFirst Known Use: 13th century

Assumption defined (meriam-webster)

an assuming that something is true

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assuming

Assumption defined

a realistic expectation which is something we believe to be true

Assumption defined

However, no adequate evidence exists to support this belief

Assumption defined

In other words, it is an act of faith which does not have empirical evidence to support it

Assumption defined

Provides a basis to develop theories and research instruments and, therefore, influences the development of the research process

Assumption defined

statements that are considered true without being scientifically tested

Assumption in Research


research is built upon assumptions since a foundation is needed to move forward.


One must assume something to discover something


Assumptions are good sources of research topics


provides basis in conducting a research studies


tested assumptions through research expands the professional’s body of knowledge

Assumption

ASSUMPTION

ASSUMPTION

Universal Assumptio

ns

ASSUMPTION

Universal Assumptio

nsAssumptio

nsBased onTheories

ASSUMPTION

Universal Assumptio

nsAssumptio

nsBased onTheories

Assumptions

Needed toConduct a Research

ASSUMPTION

Universal Assumptio

nsAssumptio

nsBased onTheories

Assumptions


WarrantedAssumptio

ns

ASSUMPTION

Universal Assumptio

nsAssumptio

nsBased onTheories

Assumptions


WarrantedAssumptio

ns

Unwarranted

Assumptions

Universal Assumption


beliefs that are assumed to be true by a large part of society, albeit testing such is not always possible


i.e. people either go to heaven or hell right after they die;

people go to purgatory if they die without baptism

Assumptions Based on Theories


assumptions may be drawn from theories


When used in a research study, an assumption based on a theory may become the assumption of the research study


assumptions may be drawn from theories

Assumptions Needed to Conduct a Research


some “common-sense” assumptions may be developed to conduct a particular study


i.e. people in urban cities have higher risk of lung cancer (due to air pollution) than those in rural areas

Warranted Assumptions


stated with evidence that supports it


i.e. praying regularly brings success because they boost morale

Unwarranted Assumptions


stated without evidence supporting it


i.e. God is everywhere

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Hypothesis Defined

Hypothesis Defined

a formal tentative statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables under study

Hypothesis Defined

helps translate the research problem and objectives into a clear explanation or prediction of the expected results or outcomes of the research study

Hypothesis Defined

includes the variables to be manipulated or measured, identifies the population to be examined, and indicates the proposed outcome of the study

Hypothesis Defined

implies that there is a systematic relationship between an independent and a dependent variable

Hypothesis Defined

a shrewd guess or inference that is formulated and provisionally adopted to explained observed facts or conditions, and to guide in further investigation

Importance of Hypothesis in Research


enables the researcher to objectively investigate new areas of discovery, thus providing a powerful tool for the advancement of knowledge


provides objectivity to the research activity


provides direction to conduct a research such as defining the sources and relevance of data


provides clear and specific goals to the researchers which, in turn, will give basis for selecting sample and research procedures to meet these goals


provides link between theories and actual practical research


provides a bridge between theory and reality


suggests which type of research is likely to be most appropriate


stimulates the cognitive skills of the researcher


determines the most appropriate research designs and techniques of data analysis


serves as framework for drawing conclusions of a research study

Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis


Conceptual Clarity


Conceptual Clarityshould consist of clearly defined and understandable concepts. It should be stated in very simple terms, the meaning & implication of which cannot be doubted. To facilitate the conceptual clarity, hypothesis can be stated in a declarative statement, in present tense.


Empirical referents


Empirical referentsResearch must have an ultimate empirical referent. No usable hypothesis can embody moral judgments. A good hypothesis must have empirical basis from the area of inquiry


Objectivity


ObjectivityHypothesis must be objective, which facilitates objectivity in data collection & keeps the research activity free from researcher-value judgment


Specificity


SpecificityIt should be specific, not general, & should explain the expected relations between variables.

i.e. regular yoga reduces stress


Relevant


RelevantThe hypothesis should be relevant to the problem being studied, as well as the objectives of the study. Hypothesis must have relevance with theory under test in a research process


Testability


TestabilityHypothesis should be testable and should not be a moral judgment. It must be directly/indirectly observable & measurable.

The researcher can set up a situation that permits one to assess if it is true or false. It must be verifiable.


Testability

i.e. a statement such as ‘bad partners produce bad children’. This sort of hypothesis cannot be tested


Consistency


ConsistencyA hypothesis should be consistent with an existing body of theories, research findings, and other hypotheses. It should correspond with existing knowledge


Simplicity


SimplicityA hypothesis should be formulated in simple and understandable terms. It should require fewer conditions & assumptions


Availability of techniques


Availability of techniquesThe researchers must make sure that methods are available for testing their proposed hypotheses


Purposiveness


PurposivenessThe researcher must formulate only purposeful hypotheses, which has relevance with research problem and objectives


Verifiability


VerifiabilityA good hypothesis can be actually verified in practical terms


Profundity of effect


Profundity of effectA good hypothesis should have profound effect upon a variety of research variables


Economical


EconomicalThe expenditure of money and the time can be controlled if the hypotheses underlying the research undertaken is good

Sources of Hypothesis

Sources of

Hypothesis

Sources of

Hypothesis

Theoretical or

Conceptual

Frameworks

Sources of

Hypothesis

Theoretical or

Conceptual

Frameworks

Previous Research

Sources of

Hypothesis

Theoretical or

Conceptual

Frameworks

Previous Research

Real-life Experience

s

Sources of

Hypothesis

Theoretical or

Conceptual

Frameworks

Previous Research

Real-life Experience

s

Academic Literature

Theoretical or Conceptual Frameworks


The most important sources of hypotheses are theoretical or conceptual frameworks developed for the study


Through a deductive approach, these hypotheses are drawn from theoretical or conceptual frameworks for testing them

Previous Research

Previous Research

Findings of the previous studies may be used for framing the hypotheses for another study

Previous Research

i.e. in a small sample descriptive study, are searcher found that a number of patients admitted with coronary artery disease had increased body mass index. In another research study, a researcher may use this finding to formulate a hypothesis as ‘Obese patients have increased risk for development of coronary artery disease’

Real-Life Experiences


Real-life experiences also contribute in the formulation of hypotheses for research studies


i.e. Newton had a life-changing experience of the falling of an apple and formulated a hypothesis that earth attracts all the mass towards its centre, through several researchers were conducted before generating a law of central gravity

Academic Literature

Academic Literature

based on formal theories, empirical evidences, experiences, observation, and conceptualizations of academicians

These literatures may serve as good sources for formulating hypotheses for research studies

Academic Literature

These literatures may serve as good sources for formulating hypotheses for research studies

Types of Hypothesis

Types ofHypothe

sis

Types ofHypothe

sis

Simple and Complex

Hypothesis

Types ofHypothe

sis

Simple and Complex

Hypothesis

Associative and Casual

Hypothesis

Types ofHypothe

sis

Simple and Complex

Hypothesis


Hypothesis

Directional and Non-

Directional Hypothesi

s

Types ofHypothe

sis

Simple and Complex

Hypothesis


Hypothesis

Directional and Non-

Directional Hypothesi

s

Null and Research Hypothesi

s

Simple and Complex Hypothesis

Simple and Complex HypothesisSimple hypothesis

It is a statement which reflects the relationship between two variables.

Simple and Complex HypothesisSimple hypothesis

i.e. ‘the lower the level of hemoglobin, the higher is the risk of infection among post partum women’

Simple and Complex HypothesisComplex hypothesis

It is a statement which reflects the relationship between more than two variables

Simple and Complex HypothesisComplex hypothesis

i.e. ‘satisfaction is higher among patients who are older and dwelling in rural area than those who are younger and dwelling in urban area’

Associative and Casual Hypothesis


Associative Hypothesis

It reflects a relationship between variables that occurs or exists in natural settings without manipulation. This hypothesis is used in correlational research studies


Casual Hypothesis

predicts the cause-and-effect relationship between two or more dependent & independent variables in experimental or interventional setting, wherein dependent variable is manipulated by research to examine the effect on the dependent variable.


Casual Hypothesis

The causal hypothesis reflects the measurement of dependent variable to examine the effect of dependent variable, which is manipulated by the researcher(s)

Directional and Non-Directional Hypothesis


Directional hypothesis

It specifies not only the existence, but also the expected direction of the relationship between variables



states the nature of the relationship between two or more variables such as positive, negative, or no relationship



To express the direction of relationship between variables, the directional terms are used to state the hypothesis, such as positive, negative, less, more, increased, decreased, greater, higher, lower, etc.



‘there is a positive relationship between years of nursing experience & job satisfaction among nurses


Non-Directional hypothesis

reflects the relationship between two or more variables, but it does not specify the anticipated direction and nature of relationship such as positive or negative



indicates the existence of relationship between the variables



i.e. ‘there is relationship between years of nursing experience and job satisfaction among nurses

Null and Research Hypothesis

Null and Research HypothesisNull Hypothesis

also known as statistical hypothesis


used for statistical testing & interpretation of statistical outcomes


states the existence of no relationship between the independent & dependent variables


i.e. ‘there is no relationship between smoking and the incidence of coronary artery disease’

Null and Research HypothesisResearch Hypothesis

It states the existence of relationship between two or more variables

Null and Research HypothesisResearch Hypothesis

‘there is relationship between smoking and the incidence of lung cancer.

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Sources- Merriam-Webster- drjayeshpatidar.blogspot.com

methodology of research - assumptions and the research hypothesis

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