This document defines and discusses hypotheses in research. It begins by defining a hypothesis as a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. It then discusses the importance of hypotheses in providing direction, goals, and a framework for research. The document outlines characteristics of good hypotheses and different types of hypotheses, including simple vs. complex, associative vs. causal, directional vs. non-directional, and null vs. research hypotheses. Sources of hypotheses and their role in linking theories to practice are also mentioned.

1. Hypothesis in Research
Muthuvenkatachalam S.,
D.Pharm, M.Sc (AIIMS), PhD Scholar (RGUHS)
Associate Professor, PCNMS, Haldwani

2. Introduction
• A hypothesis is a formal tentative statement of
the expected relationship between two or
more variables under study.
• A clearly stated hypothesis includes the
variables to be manipulated or measured,
identifies the population to be examined, and
indicates the proposed outcome of the study

3. DEFINITION
• Hypothesis is a tentative predication or
explanation of the relationship between two
variables.
• ‘It implies there is a systematic relationship
between two variables.’

4. IMPORTANCES OF HYPOTHESIS
• Enables the researcher to investigate
objectively
• Provides objectivity to research activity
• Provides direction to conduct research
• Provides clear and specific goals to the
researchers
• Links theories and practice
• Bridge between theories and reality

5. IMPORTANCES OF HYPOTHESIS
• Suggests which type of research is most likely to
appropriate
• Guides the researcher towards the direction in
which research should proceeds
• Stimulates the thinking process of the
researchers
• Serves as a framework for drawing conclusions of
a research
• Without hypothesis research would be like
aimless wandering

6. Characteristics of good hypothesis
A good hypothesis is
• based on sound reasoning.
• provides explanation for the predicted
outcome.
• clearly states the relationship between the
defined variables.
• Defines the variables in easy to measure
terms.
• Testable in a reasonable amount of time.

7. Sources
• Theoritical or conceptual frameworks
• Previous research
• Real life experiences
• Academic literatures

8. TYPES
• Simple Vs. Complex
• Associative Vs. Causal
• Directional Vs. Non – Directional
• Null Vs. Research

9. SIMPLE Vs. COMPLEX
• The statement which reflects the relationship
between two variables is known as simple
hypothesis.
– E.g. The lower the level of haemoglobin the higher is
the risk of infection among postpartum women.
• The statement which reflects the relationship
beyween more than two variables is known as
complex hypothesis.
– E.g. Satisfaction is higher among patients who are
older and dwelling in rural areas than those who are
younger and dwelling in urban areas.

10. ASSOCIATIVE Vs. CAUSAL
• It reflects a relationship between variables that
occurs or exists in natural settings without
manipulation.
– E.g. The lower the blood sugar level, the lesser is the
risk of infection among diabetic patients.
• It predicts the cause and effect relationship
between two or more dependent and
independent variables.
– E.g. 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 betadine solution.

11. DIRECTIONAL Vs. Non - DIRECTIONAL
• It specifies not only the existence, but also the
expected direction of the relationship
between variables.
– E.g. There is a positive relationship between years
of nursing experience and job satisfaction.
• It just predicts the existence of relationship
between the variables.
– E.g. There is a relationship between year of
nursing experiences and job satisfaction among
nurses.

12. NULL AND RESEARCH
• Null hypothesis is also known as statistical
hypothesis and is used for statistical testing
and interpretations.
• It states the existence of no relationship
between the variables.
• Research hypothesis states the existence of
relationship between two or more variables.