Hypothesis

Dr. Maria Irma Bustamante

Wild Guess

Definitions
The hypothesis is a tentative, declarative
statement about the relationship between two
or more variables.
It is a tentative explanation for certain
behaviors, phenomena or events which
have occurred or will occur.
It is an educated guess which needs to be
tested.

Definitions
The proposition is an abstract statement
that further clarifies the relationship between
two concepts.

Hypothesis & Proposition

Examples
Proposition: The amount of mobility in the
form of exercising positively influences the
level of muscle integrity.
Hypothesis: If the nurse helps the patient
maintain muscle tone through proper
exercising , the patient will experience fewer
problems associated with immobility.
Burns & Grove, 2005

Characteristics
It should be reasonable or logical.
It should use precise language. It should
state in definite terms, the relationship
between variables.
It should be testable.

Sources
Observations of phenomena
Real life experiences
May be generated from relationships
expressed in theories.
Literature review
Results of previous researches

Types
Null hypothesis (Ho) is a statement of a
no relationship, no difference, no effect or
no interaction. It is tested with statistics.
Example:
Social support is not associated with
victimization.

Types
Alternative or research hypothesis (H1)
is the expectation based on theory. This
could either be:
Directional specifies the direction of the
relationship.
Non-directional only specifies that
there is a relationship.

Types
Example Directional hypothesis
Social support will be negatively associated
with victimization.
Example Non-directional hypothesis
Social support is associated with
victimization.

Types
Simple hypothesis has one independent
and one dependent variable.
Example:
Social support is not associated with
victimization.

Types
Complex hypothesis has two or more
independent and dependent variables
Example:
Social support will be negatively associated
with both victimization and perpetration.

Types
Associative hypothesis proposes
relationships among variables that occur
together in the real world so that when one
variable changes, the other changes BUT
they do not indicate that one variable
causes an effect on another variable.

Types
Example Associative hypothesis
A decrease in caloric intake is associated
with a decrease in weight among middle
aged men.

Types
Causal hypothesis proposes a cause
and effect interaction between two or more
variables, the independent and dependent
variables.

Types
Example Causal hypothesis
Listening to preferred music decreases
anxiety among pre-operative adult female
patients.

Wording the hypothesis

Hypothesis should specify the
independent and dependent variables and
the relationship between them.
Hypothesis should be worded in the
present tense
Hypothesis should be stated declaratively.

Remember
Hypotheses are never proved through
hypothesis testing rather they are
accepted or supported or rejected.
Findings are always tentative. If results
are replicated in numerous investigations,
greater confidence can be placed in the
conclusions. Hypotheses come to be
supported with mounting evidences.

The guessing game continues

the hypothesis!