Chapter 6 - Constructing Hypotheses
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Topics covered
• Definition of a hypothesis
• Function of hypothesis
• How to formulate a hypothesis
• Types of hypotheses
• Errors in testing hypotheses
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Definition of a hypothesis
• Verification of an assumption/ assertion
• Assertions become the basis of the enquiry and are
called hypotheses
• Hypotheses bring focus to the research problem in
quantitative research
• Grinnell’s definition (1988: 200)
– A tentative proposition that can be proven or disproven
– Validity is unknown, hence reliable and valid data
needed
– Specifies a relationship between variables
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Functions of a hypothesis
• The formulation of a hypothesis brings specificity and clarity to a
study.
• This specificity and clarity used to construct a hypothesis ensures
that only information needed is collected, thereby, providing focus to
the study. This also enhances the validity of a study as it ensures
measuring what the study sets out to measure.
• As it provides a focus, the construction of a hypothesis enhances
objectivity in a study.
• The testing of a hypothesis enables the researcher to specifically
conclude what is true or what is false, thereby, contributing towards
theory formulation.
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Figure 6.1 The process of testing a
hypothesis
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
How to formulate a hypothesis
• A hypothesis should be simple, specific and
conceptually clear
• A hypothesis should be capable of verification
• A hypothesis should be related to the existing body
of knowledge
• A hypothesis should be measurable
The average age of male students in this class is higher
than that of the female students.
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Figure 6.3 Types of hypotheses
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Null hypothesis H0
• The null hypothesis states that there is no
difference between two situations, groups,
outcomes, or the prevalence of a condition or
phenomenon
• H0: There is no difference in the average age of
male and female students in this class
• Hypothesis of difference: There is a difference
in the average age of male and female students
in this class
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Errors in testing hypotheses
Incorrect conclusions about the validity of a
hypothesis may be drawn if:
• the study design selected is faulty
• the sampling procedure adopted is faulty
• the method of data collection is inaccurate
• the analysis is wrong
• the statistical procedures applied are
inappropriate
• the conclusions drawn are incorrect
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
Figure 6.4 Type I and Type II errors
in testing a hypothesis
authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014
