WRITING ASSUMPTION,HYPOTHESIS & NULL HYPOTHESIS

ASSUMPTION Meaning: Assumptions are basic principles that are accepted as being true on the basis of logic or reason without proof or verification. Definition: An assumption is a proposition or statement whose truth is either considered self evident or are has been satisfactory (at least tentatively) established by earlier research. Research studies necessarily build upon a series of assumptions. HYPOTHESIS Meaning: Hypothesis is a statement which normally specifies relationship between variables. It is making guesses as to why certain things or events happen. These guesses may be influenced by the belief and experience and what they have read or heard. Hence hypothesis is a tentative statement since the researcher is merely making an assumption before the data are collected. Definition: Hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship, if any between two or more variables.

TYPES Research hypothesis Research Hypothesis is a short statement, a sentence or two in length that describes the who and what of your research. It is a piece of knowledge that you wish to add to your larger body of knowledge.(Whether this piece is actually added depends on the results and creditability of your research methodology such as the use of valid and accurate measures to qualify your variables, selection of a design that controls rival hypothesis, sampling of an appropriate study population, the when and where of your research, and so forth). For example: the research hypothesis for the six examples cited may be as follows. 1.Myocardial infarction patients who are exposed to resuscitation procedures on other patients, as compared with those who are not exhibit stress reaction. 2.Diarrhea among those with nasogastric tube feeding is caused by the cool temperature of the formula or Upright position as compared with recumbent position during first and second stage of labour Shortens the duration of labour and reduces the perception of pain intensity by primigravidae. 3.Basic knowledge of syphilis and gonorrhea held by school nurses is adequate. 4.Outpatient compliance with keeping the first psychotherapy appointment following clinic evaluation is associated with length of time between the

evaluation and appointment, sex, diagnosis, referral source and evaluating therapist. 5.Stimulation gaming reduces authoritarianism and social restrictiveness towards mental illness among nursing students. These research hypotheses have five characteristics in common: 1.They are written in the present tense. 2.They allude to target population to which the piece of knowledge would apply, rather than study population. 3.They are simple and concise, generally including only one relationship or difference to the tested (although a string of dependent variables may be used for which a series of very similar statistical tests are required). Further more the description of relationship specifies the direction of change or differences, if known. 4.They are amenable to testing by using quantitative methods. NULL HYPOTHESIS This is opposite of the research hypothesis. The Null Hypothesis states that there is no relationship, change or difference, Technically the Null Hypothesis is tested with inferential statistics. If it is rejected, the alternate, or research, hypothesis is supported. Conversely, if nor rejected, then the research hypothesis is not supported. The Null hypothesis can never be said to have been supported, only retained or rejected. PURPOSES OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Generally speaking the function of hypothesis is to guide scientific Enquiry. Various aspects of this function include unifying theory and reality extending knowledge and directing research. CHARACTERISTIC OF WORKABLE HYPOTHESIS An essential characteristic of a workable research hypothesis is that it states the predicted relationship between two ore more variables. The variables that are related to one another through the hypothesis are the independent variable (the presumed cause or antecedent) and the dependent variable (the presumed effect or phenomenon of primary interest). Hypothesis ideally should be based on a sound justifiable rationale. The most defensible hypothesis follow from previous research findings or are deducted from a theory. When a new area is being investigated the researcher may have to turn to logical reasoning or personal experience in order to justify the predictions. A good hypothesis should be consistent with an existing body of research findings. A good hypothesis should be consistent with an existing body of research findings. A good hypothesis is worded in simple, clear and concise language and provides a definition of variables in concrete, operational terms. SUMMARY A hypothesis is a statement concerning predicted relationship among variables. The successful progression from initial problem statement to the final collection and analysis of data is often associated with development of one or more clear

workable hypothesis. Hypothesis are important because (1) they serve as link between theory and real world situations, (2) they provide and effective mechanism for extending knowledge and (3) they offer overall direction for the Investigation. Reference: Polit D andHungler B.(1999).Research Principles & Methods.Nursing Research, New York,J.P.Lippincot