Page 21 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques

Notes from others. A hypothesis is defined as "A tentative proposition suggested as a solution to a
problem or as an explanation of some phenomenon."
There are some important aspects to be looked into to judge the worth of a hypothesis in
research. A good hypothesis must be:
• consistent with known facts and theories, and might be even expected to predict or
anticipate previously unknown data,
• able to explain the data in simpler terms,
• stated in the simplest possible terms, depending upon the complexity of the concepts
involved in the research problems, and
• stated in a way that it can be tested for its being probably true or probably false, in order
to arrive at conclusions in the form of empirical or operational statements.
Hypotheses are formulated to explain observed facts, conditions, or behaviour and to serve
as a guide in the research process. The statements or tentative generalisations which constitute
hypotheses are partly based on facts and explanations, and partly conceptual. Hence there
are certain necessary conditions that are conducive to the formulation of hypothesis. These
are:

(i) Deducing a hypothesis inductively: you may deduce a hypothesis inductively after
making observation of behaviour, noticing trends or probable relationships. For example,
as a teacher you observe your learners behaviour in classroom. On the basis of your
experience in the educational institution, you may attempt to relate your behaviour with
that of the learners, to various teaching-learning methods as well as to the change in the
institution itself and so on. On the basis of these observations, you may be able to
formulate a hypothesis that attempts to explain these behavioural relationship in an
educational setting.
(ii) Limiting the problem: Here we need to state that the basic understanding of the literature
pertaining to the problem under investigation also becomes essential in the view of the
fact that the already existing corpus of knowmedge on the particular problem is too
detailed to be incorporated in the process of hypothesis formulation. Hence, the researcher
must have the ability to comprehend the available evidence in support or against the
expected relationship so as to remain within the limits of the problem while formulating
the hypothesis.

(iii) Deriving a hypothesis deductively: Hypotheses are also derived deductively from
the theory. Such types of hypothesis, called "deductive hypothesis" are formulated
by studying a particular theory in the area of one's interest and deducting a hypothesis
from this theory through logic. This is possible when a researcher has a versatile
intellect and can make use of it for restructuring his/her experiences in research.
Creative approach to problem solving so badly needed by a researcher, is the product
of intellectual adventure, sound attitude and agile intellect. This view is more relevant
to the descriptive and historical research in which the abundance of literature with
a number of contradictory/supplementary theories may divert the researcher from
the right path. Therefore, you have to exercise great restraint and display considerable
patience to keep yourself on the right path. You have to develop certain habits and
attitudes, besides saturating yourself with all the possible information about the
problem and also think open-mindely about it before proceeding further in the conduct
of the study.

16 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY