Hypothesis – Qualities of a good Hypothesis Methodology

 Hypothesis-The research activities are planned to verify the hypothesis and not to find out the solution of the problem or to seek an answer of a question. It is very essential to a research worker to understand the meaning and nature of hypothesis. The researcher always plans or formulate a hypothesis in the beginning of the problem.

Literal Meaning The word hypothesis consists of two words: Hypo + thesis = Hypothesis. ‘Hypo’ means tentative or subject to the verification and ‘Thesis’ means statement about solution of a problem. The word meaning of the term hypothesis is a tentative statement about the solution of the problem.

Operational Meaning -Hypo means composition of two or more variable which are to be verified.
Hypothesis is an assumption or proposition whose testability is to be tested on the basis of the compatibility of its implication with empirical evidence with /previous knowledge.
                                                                                                                           -George, J.Mouly.

A Hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. 

To be complete the hypothesis must include three components –

• The variables;
• The population
• The relationship between the variables

NATURE OF HYPOTHESIS

The following are the main features of a Hypothesis –

1. Its conceptual in nature.
2. It is a verbal statement in a declarative form.
3. It has the empirical referent.
4. It Indicates the tentative relationship between two or more variables.
5. It is a powerful tool of advancement of knowledge, consistent with existing knowledge and conducive to further enquiry.
6. It Can be tested, verifiable or falsifiable.
7. It is not moral or ethical questions.
8. It is neither too specific nor to general.
9. It is a prediction of consequences.
10. It is considered valuable even if proven false.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HYPOTHESIS

A good Hypothesis must possess the following characteristics –

1. It is never formulated in the form of a question.
2. It should be empirically testable, whether it is right or wrong.
3. It should be specific and precise.
4. It should specify variables between which the relationship is to be established.
5. It should describe one issue only. A hypothesis can be formed either in descriptive or relational form.
6. It should not conflict with any law of nature which is known to be true. guarantees that available tools and techniques will be effectively used for the purpose of verification.
7. It should be stated as far as possible in most simple terms so that the same is easily understandable by all concerned.
8. It must explain the facts that gave rise to the need for explanation.
9. It should be amenable to testing within a reasonable time.
10. It should not be contradictory

Importance of Hypothesis

The Hypotheses play significant role in the scientific studies. The following are some of the important role, which are given below

• Helps in the testing of the theories.
• Serves as a great platform in the investigation activities.
• Provides guidance to the research work or study.
• Hypothesis sometimes suggests theories.
• Helps in knowing the needs of the data.
• Explains social phenomena.
• Develops the theory.
• Also acts as a bridge between the theory and the investigation.
• Provides a relationship between phenomena in such a way that it leads to the empirical testing of the relationship.
• Helps in knowing the most suitable technique of analysis. Helps in the determination of the most suitable type of research