Hypothesis :

Between
Quantitative and
Qualitative Research
By :
Hela Benzina

Plan

Definition

of hypothesis
Hypothesis in qualitative
research
Hypothesis in quantitative
research
The difference between the
two types
Conclusion

The definition of hypothesis :

A hypothesis may be defined as a proposition or set

of propositions set forth as an explanation of the

occurrence of some specific group of phenomena .
A research hypothesis is a predictive statement

capable of being tested by scientific methods .

It is an assuption or or a supposition which has to be

proved or disproved .
Should be precised , concised , capable of being

tested and able to relate to at least 2 variables

It is a formal question that has to be resolved for a

researcher .

Quantitative Research :
Quantitative

: deductive reasoning from

general theories to specific instances.
Researchers are supposed to be objective .
Set to test hypotheses , look at cause &
effect and make predictions .
Narrow-angle lens ; tests a specific
hypotheses
Objective : Describe, explain, & predict
Method : Confirmatory or top-down : the
researcher tests the hypothesis and theory
with the data .
It is the study of specific variables and not
the study of the whole .

 Hypotheses

are predictions the researcher makes

about the expected relationships among variables.
Testing of hypotheses employs statistical procedures in
which the investigator draws inferences about the
population from a study sample. Hypotheses are used
often in experiments in which investigators compare
groups
Objectives : they often appear in proposals for funding .
The most rigorous form of quantitative research follows
from a test of a theory and the specification of research
questions or hypotheses that are included in the theory.
Hypothesis script : There is no significant difference
between (the control and experimental groups on the
independent variable) on (dependent variable).
To eliminate redundancy, write only research questions
or hypotheses , not both, unless the hypotheses build on
the research questions (discussion follows ) .

 Hypothesis are used to state the relationship between

two variables and may be stated as :
Null hypotheses : no relationship between two
variables.
Nondirectional hypotheses : we dont know or wont
speculate about the direction of the relationship
between two variables.
Directional hypotheses :We state the direction of the
relationship between two variables.
Relationships specify:
How the value of one variable changes in relation to
another.
May be either positive, negative, or the two variables
may not have any relationship to one another.
Are not necessarily correlations. The type of
relationship or association among variables is
determined by the level of measurement of
each of the two variables.

Qualitative research :

Qualitative :inductive method; incorporates values and perspectives

of both researcher and participants .

Exploratory or bottomup: the researcher generates a new

hypothesis and theory from the data collected .

Qualitative research answers how and why questions or process .

Qualitative researchers pose research questions :

Not objectives
Not hypotheses

Two types of qualitative research questions to focus a study's

purpose:
Central question
broad question that asks for exploration of the central
phenomenon
Subquestions
Questions that narrow the focus of the study .

 Ask

1-2 central questions and no more than 5-7

subquestions
These questions should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Relate the central question to the strategy of inquiry

Begin with "what" or "how"
Focus on a single phenomenon or concept
Use exploratory verbs like discover or describe
Avoid directional words such as "affect" or "impact"
Evolve during the study
Be open-ended without reference to the literature
Specify the participants and research site (unless stated
previously)
A Script for Writing a Qualitative Central Question :
(How

or What) is the (story for for narrative

research; meaning of the phenomenon for
phenomenology; theory that explains the process of
for grounded theory; culture-sharing pattern for
ethnography; issue in the case for case study) of
(central phenomenon) for (participants) at (research
site).

Qualitative
Involves interpretation of a situation,
set of behaviors, or a setting.
Analysis must take place within a
context different findings may
accrue in different settings or
situations.
Different researchers may view the
same situation and obtain different
results.
Assumes there is no one right or
wrong answer.
Comes from a particular set of
assumptions or theories about how
research should take place.
Qualitative research answers how
and why questions or process

Usually focus on one concept or idea.

Generally dont make comparisons

among groups.

Can be based on hunches or personal

experience.

Usually pertain to the actions or

perceptions of participants.
Study of the whole, not variables.

Quantitave

Have at least two variables

Is used to prove or disprove whether
there is a causal relationship between
two variables.
Can be expressed as a prediction or an
expected future outcome.
Is logically linked to a research question
or theory
Hypothesis are used to state the
relationship between two variables : How
the value of one variable changes in
relation to another.
Quantitative research focuses on causal
relationships and their impact
(outcomes). They also answer what
questions.
Analysis uses statistics, tables, and charts and
discusses how what they show relates to the
hypothesis.
Analysis involves extracting themes from
evidence and organizing data into themes and
categories to present a coherent, consistent
picture.
Hypotheses are used often in
experiments in which investigators
compare groups
It is the study of specific variables and
not the study of the whole

Conclusion :
Hypothesis in qualitative research is
set to understand & interpret
social interactions. However , in
quantitative its purpose is to look
at cause & effect, & make
predictions.