Research Hypothesis - Meaning, Definition, Characteristics, Source, Types, Formulation, Criteria

1. Prof . X Emerensia
HOD in Child Health Nursing
RVS College of Nursing, Sulur,
Coimbatore

2. Hypothesis is a
tentative prediction
or
explanation of the relationship between two
or more variables

3. Use of Hypothesis in Quantitative studies
tends to induce critical thinking and to
facilitate understanding and interpretation
of the data

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HYPOTHEIS
Conceptual clarity
Empirical
Referents
Objectivity
Specificity
Relevant
Testability
Consistency
Simplicity
Availability of
Techniques
Purposiveness
Verifiability Economical
Profundity of effect

6. TYPES OF HYPOTHEIS
Simple and Complex Hypothesis
Associative and Causal Hypothesis
Directional and Non-directional Hypothesis
Null and Research Hypothesis

7. Simple and Complex Hypothesis
SIMPLE HYPOTHESIS :
The Statement that reflects the relationship
between two variables
Example:
 Smoking Leads to Cancer
 The higher ratio of unemployment leads to
crimes

8. Simple and Complex Hypothesis
COMPLEX HYPOTHESIS :
The Statement that reflects the relationship
between more two variables
Example:
 Satisfaction is higher among patients who are
older and dwelling in rural area than those who
are younger and dwelling in urban area

9. DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS :
It specifies not only the existence, but also the expected
direction of the relationship between variables.
The terms such as less, more, increase, decrease, greater,
smaller indicates the direction of relationship
Example :
• Children with increased frequency of Playing violent
video games show a significant increase in the
aggression
Directional and Non-directional Hypothesis

10. NON-DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS :
It reflects the relationship between two or more
variables, but it does not specify the anticipated and
nature of relationship
Example :
• There is a difference in the income generated by the
transgenders living in Urban and rural area
Directional and Non-directional Hypothesis

11. ASSOCIATIVE HYPOTHESIS :
It reflects the relationship between variables
that occurs or exists in natural settings without
manipulation
(Mainly used in Correlational studies)
Example : Lower the cost of care, the higher the satisfaction
among patients
Associative and Causal Hypothesis

12. CAUSAL HYPOTHESIS :
It predicts the cause and effect relationship
between two or more dependent and independent
variable, which is manipulated by researcher to
examine the effect on the dependent variable
Example :Prevalence of pin site infection is lower in patients
who receive pin site care with hydrogen peroxide as
compared to patients who receive the pin site care with
povidone-iodine solution.
Associative and Causal Hypothesis

13. NULL HYPOTHESIS (STATISTICAL
HYPOTHESIS):
It states the existence of no
relationship between the
independent and dependent
variables
Example : There is no association
between the dietary intake and weight of
the children
Null and Research Hypothesis

14. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
(ALTERNATIVE/SCIENTIFIC
HYPOTHESIS) :
It states the existence of
relationship between two or more
variables
Example : There is an association
between the dietary intake and weight
of the children
Null and Research Hypothesis

15. IDENTIFY TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
1. Increased dose in antibiotics will not reduce body temperature
2. Relaxation therapy is not effective in reducing the stress of patients admitted
in acute care ward
3. Structured Teaching Program is effective in increasing the knowledge of
mother of under five children on balanced diet
4. There is a difference in the self esteem in children from violent and non-
violent family
5. There is no difference between the male and female children’s exposure to
violent video game and level of aggression and stress
6. Bed rest will not relives severe asthmatic dyspnea

16. TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS – SOLUTION
1. Increased dose in antibiotics will not reduce body temperature – Associative
Null hypothesis
2. Relaxation therapy is not effective in reducing the stress of patients
admitted in acute care ward – Causal Null Hypothesis
3. Structured Teaching Program is effective in increasing the knowledge of
mother of under five children on balanced diet - Directional Research
Hypothesis
4. There is a difference in the self esteem in children from violent and non-
violent family –Non Directional Research Hypothesis
5. There is no difference between the male and female children’s exposure to
violent video game and level of aggression and stress - Complex null
Hypothesis
6. Bed rest will not relives severe asthmatic dyspnea -Simple null Hypothesis

17. Written before starting the study
Testable and Measureable
Clear and Understandable
Based on Objective of the study
Used as a guide in Experimental Design
Contain an independent and dependent variable
Stated using declarative sentence & present tense
Required inductive and deductive thinking
One Hypothesis contains only single prediction
FORMULATION OF HYPOTHESIS

18. Subjects in Population being Studied
Dependent and
Independent Variables
The Level of Significance for
accepting/rejecting the hypothesis
Nature of relationship between
Dependent and Independent variables
Eg: Patients underwent angiography receiving transparent film dressing have fewer
bleeding complications compared to patients who receive pressure dressing
COMPONENTS OF HYPOTHESIS
DV – Bleeding Complication
IV – Types of Dressing (Transparent
film & Pressure Dressing)
Predicting fewer bleeding
complications among patients
receiving Transparent film dressing
compared with Pressure dressing
Patients underwent angiography

19. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
1. Is each Hypothesis clearly and precisely worded?
2. Is the hypothesis written as a declarative sentence?
3. Is the Hypothesis written in present tense?
4. Is the Hypothesis derived from and linked to research problem,
study variables, operational definitions and relevant theories?
5. Does hypothesis present dependent and independent variables?

20. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
6. Is Hypothesis present the population under study?
7. Is each hypothesis stated as directional research hypothesis?
8. Is each Hypothesis empirically tested?
9. Does each hypothesis contain only single predication about
relationships of study variables?
10. Is each hypothesis stated with level of significance for testing
the hypothesis?

21. Research Question:
Is Anemia in pregnancy associated with low birth
weight in newborn?
Null Hypothesis : There is no significant difference in the
incidence of LBWs in mothers who are anemic and those who
are not anemic
Research Hypothesis : The incidence of LBWs in mothers who
are anemic is higher than those who are not anemic
General Concern : Hb of mother and Birth Weight of Baby

22. HYPOTHESIS - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• Formal, a priori hypothesis are not
stated
• Focus is on generating new hypothesis
as a result of the study
(ie, Inductive Hypothesis)
•Testing of Hypothesis becomes difficult
and meaningless