Tairunnessa Nursing College

Subject: Research Methodology

Topic: Hypothesis

Shraban Mia
Nursing Instructor, TMMCNC
Objectives
At the end of the session the learners will be able to-

• define hypothesis.
• identify the types of hypothesis.
• describe the characteristics of hypothesis.
• define research question.
• formulate research question.
Research Hypothesis
• According to Bailely: “Hypothesis is a
proposition that is stated in a testable form
and that predicts a particular relationship
between tow or more variables.
• According to Nancy Burns: “A hypothesis is a
formal statement of the expected
relationship(s) between two or more variables
in a specific population.”
Hypothesis
According to Burns and Grove (2001) "a hypothesis is the formal statement of the
expected relationship(s) between two or more variables in a specified population,"
OR,
Hypothesis is a statement of the relationship between two or more variables.
•Hypothesis translates the research problem and purpose into a clear explanation or
prediction of the expected results or outcomes of the study. If a research question is " is
there a relationship between measure of nurse-expressed empathy and patient-perceived
empathy," the hypotheses can be:
1. There will be a negative relationship between nurse-expressed empathy and patient-
perceived empathy;
2. There will be a positive relationship between nurse-expressed empathy and patient-
perceived empathy;
•Null hypothesis states that there are no differences between the dependent and
independent variables.
Null hypothesis can be:
•"There are no differences between nurse-expressed empathy and patient-
perceived empathy"
•A hypothesis should contain relationship statement between two or more
variables and the variables should be observable, measurable, and testable.
Characteristics of the Hypothesis:
 Include the variables to be manipulated them or measured
 Identity the population to be examined them
 Indicate the type of research to be conducted; and
 Direct the conduct of study.
Hypothesis also influences the study design, sampling technique. data
collection and analysis methods, and the interpretation of findings.
Hypotheses differ from objectives, and questions by predicting the
outcomes of a study, and by indicating the rejection or nonrejection or
supporting or non-supporting of each hypothesis by the concerned
investigator.
• It is said that the main purpose of developing hypotheses is to
 Direct the testing of new treatments and are often viewed as tools
for uncovering ideas rather than ends in themselves.
PURPOSES OF HYPOTHESIS
• To guide/give direction to the study investigation.
• To test theoretical prepositions.
• To guide the research design.
• To defines facts that are relevant and not relevant
• To dictate the type of statistical analysis to be used with the data.
• To provides a framework for organizing the conclusions of the
findings
• To limits the research to specific area
• To advance scientific knowledge
• To show researcher’s expectations.

https://www.slideshare.net/michael_gezae/hypothesis-7600477
https://slideplayer.com/slide/5299631/
Characteristics of hypothesis:
• It should be conceptually clear.
• It should be testable.
• It should be logical.
• It should be directly related to the research problem.
• It should be factually or theoretically based.
• It states a relationship between variables.
• It can be accepted or rejected.
• It should be formulated in simple and understandable terms.
• It can be verified in practical terms
• A hypothesis should be specific.
• A good hypothesis must have empirical basic from the area of
inquiry.
Sources of hypothesis
Types of Research Hypothesis
• Research hypothesis can be classified into seven categories as
stated below:
1. Simple Hypothesis
• It predicts the relationship between a single dependent
variable and a single independent variable.
2. Complex Hypothesis
• It predicts the relationship between two or more independent
and dependent variables.
3. Directional Hypothesis
• It specifies the expected direction to be followed to determine
the relationship between variables, and is derived from
theory. Furthermore, it implies researcher’s intellectual
commitment to a particular outcome.
4. Non-directional Hypothesis
• It does not predict the exact direction or nature of the relationship
between the two variables. Non-directional hypothesis is used when
there is no theory involved or when findings contradict previous
research.
5. Associative and Causal Hypothesis
• Associative hypothesis defines interdependency between variables. A
change in one variable results in the change of the other variable. On
the other hand, causal hypothesis proposes an effect on the
dependent due to manipulation of the independent variable.
6. Null Hypothesis
• It states a negative statement to support the researcher’s findings
that there is no relationship between two variables.
7. Alternative Hypothesis
• It states that there is a relationship between the two variables of the
study and that the results are significant to the research topic.
Types of hypotheses:

The type of hypotheses developed is based on the purpose of the study.

There are four categories of hypotheses are usually used by the
researchers. These are as follows:
 Associative versus casual;
 Simple versus complex;
 Directional versus nondirectional;
 Null versus research hypotheses.
Associative Versus Casual Hypotheses: The relationships identified in
hypotheses are associative or casual. An associative relationship identities
variables that occur or exist together in the real world. In an associative
relationship, when one variable changes, the other variable changes.
•Format of expressing an associative hypothesis is given bellow-
 Variable X is related to variable Y in a specified population (Predicts a
relationship);
 Variable X increases as variable Y increases in a specified population (Predicts
positive specified relationship);
 Variable X decreases as variable Y decreases in a specified population (Predicts
a positive relationship);
 Variable X increases as variable Y decreases in a specified population
relationship):
Directional Versus Nondirectional hypothesis:
A directional hypothesis states the nature of the interaction between two or more
variables. These hypotheses are developed from theoretical statements findings of
previous studies. and clinical experience. A nondirectional hypothesis states that a
relationship exists but does not predict the nature of the relationship.
Null Versus Research Hypotheses: The hypothesis also is referred to as a statistical
hypothesis. is used for statistical testing and interpreting statistical outcomes. A
hypothesis can be simple or complex, associative or casual. An associative
hypothesis states that there is no relationship between the variables. A casual
hypothesis states that there is no effect of one variable on another. A research
hypothesis is the alternative hypothesis to the . The research hypothesis states that
there is a relationship between two or more variables and be simple or complex,
nondirectional or directional, and associative or casual (Burns & Grove, 2001).
Simple Hypothesis
•A simple hypothesis concern the relationships between one independent and one
dependent variable. It is also known as bivariate.
Box 2.14: Example of Simple Hypothesis.
• Birth weight is lower among infants of alcoholic mother than among infants of
non-alcoholic mother
• The greater the degree of sleep deprivation, the higher the anxiety level in ICU
patients'
• The greater the amount of use of benzodiazepines, higher the level of psychosis
in ICU patients'
Complex Hypothesis
•A complex hypothesis shows a relationship of two or more independent variables,
two or more
•dependent variables or both. It is also considered as multivariate.
A complex hypothesis shows a relationship of two or more independent
variables, two or more dependent variables or both. It is also considered as
multivariate.
Box 2.15: Example of Complex Hypothesis.
•The greater the amount of use of benzodiazepines and higher PaCO, level,
higher the level of psychosis in ICU patients'
•Daily weight loss is greater for adult who follow a reduced calorie diet and
exercise than for those
•who do not follow a reduced calorie diet and do not exercise daily
•More postpartum depression and feelings of inadequacy are reported by
women who give birth by cesarean section than those who deliver vaginally'
Null hypothesis or statistical hypothesis states no
relationship between variables. A hypothesis is subjects to
statistical analysis therefore called statistical hypotheses.
Null Hypothesis (H)
Box 2.16: Example of Null Hypothesis.
•There is no relationship between internet addiction and
depression among engineering students
•There is no relationship between knowledge and practice
of staff nurses on universal precautions
Research Hypotheses (H,)
•Kesearch hypothesis or alternate hypothesis state the existence of
relationship between
•variables. It is also called scientific, substantive or theoretical
hypothesis.
•Box 2.17: Example of Research Hypothesis.
•There is a positive relationship between depression and suicide
•There is a positive relationship between stress and use of negative
coping strategies among adolescents
Directional Hypothesis
•Research hypotheses maybe presented as being directional or
nondirectional hypotheses. In the directional hypotheses, the expected
relationship and direction of relationship between variables is presented.
Directional hypotheses have several advantages like they may clear the
researcher's expectation, and allow more precise testing of theoretical
propositions and allow the use of one tailed tests.
Box 2.18: Example of Directional Hypothesis.
•There is a positive relationship between increasing age and osteoporosis'
• There is a positive relationship between increasing age and depression'
Non-directional Hypothesis
•Non-directional hypotheses state the relationship between variables,
but does not specify the directions of relationship between variables.
Box 2.19: Example of Non-directional Hypothesis.
•There isa relationship between age and depression
•There is a relationship between organizational commitment and job
satisfaction'
Associative Hypothesis
Associate hypotheses state the relationship between two or more than two variables that
occur in natural setting, so that when one variable change, another variable also change.
These hypotheses only identify the relationship but do not indicate that one cause or effect
on another.
Box 2.20: Example of Associative Hypothesis.
'High level of job satisfaction would be associated with less frequent reported adverse
events in staff nurses Casual Hypotheses Casual hypotheses state the cause and effect
relationship between two variables, referred to as independent and dependent variables.
Box 2.21: Example of Casual Hypothesis.
•Effect of instillation of 0.5 mm normal saline during suctioning on change in blood pressure
and heart rate
•'Smoking causes lung cancer
Components of Hypotheses
A well written and complete hypothesis must contain variables, population
under study, and should be stated in accordance to objectives and problem
statement. The main elements of a hypothesis are followings:
1.Population: Group of subjects under study
2. Instruments(s) or tool(s): Instruments used to measure dependent
variables
4. Level of significance: The desired level of significance for testing of
hypotheses
5. Anticipated relationship: Positive, negative or no relationship between
variables
Box 2.24: Hypothesis and its Elements.
•A Study on relationship between depression and internet addiction among University
students in Jordan’ (Rabdi L et al. 2017)
•H:There is a significant positive relationship between internet addiction and
depression among university students as measured by Young's internet Addiction
Scale & the online cognition scale fOC5) at 0.05 level of significance.
•Population: University of science and technology students
•Variables: Internet addiction and depression
•Instruments is) or tool is): Young's Internet Addiction Scale and the online cognition
scale (OCS)
•Level of significance: 0.05 level of significance
• Anticipated relationship: Positive relationship
Stating the Hypotheses

A hypothesis can be written in different ways and its vary from one person to
another. The language of writing hypothesis could be different but it should
conclude similar meaning Some of the common ways of writing hypothesis are
exemplified
In above example, the hypotheses state the population (older patient), the
independent variable (age), the dependent variable (falling) and an anticipated
relationship.
Box 2.25: 5tyles of Writing Hypothesis,
For example, Prevalence of fails in elderly women
•Hypothesis: (Vitor VR, et al. 2015
•The risk of falling increase with the age of the patients
•Younger patients are at lower risk of failing than older patients
•There is a relationship between patient's age and the likelihood of falling
•The older the patient, the greater the likelihood that he or she will fall
•Older patient differ from younger ones with respect to their risk of
falling
•Older patient more likely falling than younger patients
Tips for the Formulation of Hypothesis

1. Hypothesis can be formulated, after the researcher has gained enough

knowledge regarding the nature, extent and intensity of the problem.
2. Hypothesis should figure throughout the research process in order to
give structure to the research.
3. Hypotheses are tentative statements or solutions of explanations of
the formulated problem, care should be taken not to over-simplify and
generalize the formulation of hypotheses.
4. The hypothesis need not be restricted to one. The type of problem
area investigated, the extent of the research field are the determining
factors on how many hypotheses will be included in the study.
Advantages of Hypothesis
• It gives direction to the inquiry
• It enriches the theory.
• It builds confidence in the researcher's results.
Limitation of Hypothesis
It may bias the investigator towards a particular position and
cause him to lose objectivity.
CONCLUSION
Any useful hypothesis will enable predictions by reasoning. It might
predict the outcome of an experiment in a laboratory setting or the
observation of the phenomenon in nature. A hypothesis requires more
work by the researcher in order to either confirm or disapprove it. In
due course, a confirmed hypothesis may become part of a theory or
occasionally grow to become a theory itself.
SUMMARY
This chapter dealt with, variables and hypothesis. Knowledge of the
different types of variables, which are to be measured. plays a crucial
role in research. Variables take on different values as numbers or
categories. Variables are important in bringing clarity to the hypothesis.
Hypothesis expresses the relationship between variables. It translates
the problem statement into a precise, unambiguous prediction of
expected outcomes. It gives direction to the inquiry and builds
confidence in researcher's results. Care must be taken not to be biased
towards a particular position, while stating the hypothesis.
Thank You