Hypothesis Flashcards

Study Notes

Hypothesis Overview

A hypothesis is a tentative prediction or explanation regarding the relationship between two or more variables.

Sources of Hypothesis Formation

Hypotheses can originate from personal experience, existing literature, or theoretical frameworks.

Criteria for Testable Hypothesis

Must entail a relational statement involving two or more measurable variables.
Should include comparative phrases like "more than," "less than," "greater than," "different from," or "related to."
Variables need to be operationally defined to ensure measurement.
Hypotheses must be justifiable and align with established research findings.

Types of Hypotheses

Directional Hypothesis: Specifies the anticipated direction of the relationship between variables.
Non-directional Hypothesis: Indicates the existence of a relationship but does not predict the direction.
Null Hypothesis: Asserts that there is no relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable.
Research Hypothesis: Serves as the alternative to the null hypothesis.
Simple Hypothesis: Predicts the relationship between one independent variable and one dependent variable.
Complex Hypothesis: Involves predictions about relationships between two or more independent variables and/or two or more dependent variables.

Expectations in Literature

Hypotheses typically appear before the Methods section in research reports, often placed at the end of the Introduction or the Literature Review.
Many studies may not explicitly state a hypothesis, particularly qualitative studies, which typically do not have a hypothesis.

Reading Hypotheses

Directional Hypothesis: Includes a prediction about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Non-directional Hypothesis: States THERE IS a relationship without specifying any prediction.

Clarification of Hypothesis Types

The research hypothesis serves as the alternate form of the null hypothesis, providing a contrasting statement for empirical testing.

Description

Test your knowledge of hypotheses with these flashcards. Covering definitions, sources, and criteria for testable hypotheses, this quiz will help reinforce your understanding of this essential concept in research. Perfect for students studying scientific methods or statistics.