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1 WHAT IS A HYPOTHESIS?

A hypothesis is a preliminary or tentative explanation or postulate by the researcher of what

the researcher considers the outcome of an investigation will be. It is an informed/educated
guess.

It indicates the expectations of the researcher regarding certain variables. It is the most
specific way in which an answer to a problem can be stated.

2 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HYPOTHESIS AND A PROBLEM

Both a hypothesis and a problem contribute to the body of knowledge which supports or
refutes an existing theory. A hypothesis differs from a problem. A problem is formulated in
the form of a question; it serves as the basis or origin from which a hypothesis is derived. A
hypothesis is a suggested solution to a problem. A problem (question) cannot be directly
tested, whereas a hypothesis can be tested and verified.

3 WHEN IS AN HYPOTHESIS FORMULATED?

An hypothesis is formulated after the problem has been stated and the literature study has
been concluded. It is formulated when the researcher is totally aware of the theoretical and
empirical background to the problem.

4 THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF AN HYPOTHESIS

ac It offers explanations for the relationships between those variables that can be
empirically tested.
ac It furnishes proof that the researcher has suffucient background knowledge to enable
him/her to make suggestions in order to extend existing knowledge.
ac It gives direction to an investigation.
ac It structures the next phase in the investigation and therefore furnishes continuity to
the examination of the problem.

5 CHARACTERISTICS OF AN HYPOTHESIS
 ac It should have elucidating power.
ac It should strive to furnish an acceptable explanation of the phenomenon.
ac It must be verifiable.
ac It must be formulated in simple, understandable terms.
ac It should corresponds with existing knowledge.

6 TYPES OF HYPOTHESES

Hypotheses can be classified in terms of their derivation (inductive and deductive

hypotheses) and in terms of their formulation (research - directional and non-directional and
statistical or null hypotheses).

ac RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

It is a relationship between variables and indicates the nature of the relationship.

If A is valid, B follows ...

If you hit a child with a cain, he/she will cry.

Schools in which pupil-teacher relations are open/friendly will have less unrest than
comparable schools where pupil-teacher relations are closed/tense.

ac NULL HYPOTHESIS

"You are wrong, there is no relation; disprove me if you can" (Kerlinger, 1973)

There is no difference between pupil-teacher relations in unrest schools and pupil-teacher

relations in comparable schools which experience no unrest.

NB

ac An important requirement for hypotheses is TESTABILITY.

ac A condition for testability is CLEAR nad UNAMBIGUOUS CONCEPTS.
ac A research hypothesis (inempirical research) has to do with relationships between
empirical phenomena. The concepts in a research hypothesis must posess single
references (indicators) or denotations to identifiable phenomena in reality.
ac A central theoretical thesis refers to hypotheses in more theoretical studies.