Page 34 - DSOC404_METHODOLOGY_OF_SOCIAL_RESEARCH_ENGLISH

Methodology of Social Research

note Many learned people have defined it as below :
According to Webster new international dictionary of the english language ,"Hypothesis is a thought,
situation or theory which is initially accepted but later analyzed and researched for logical results.
Also to check the earlier result by comparisons and obtain the ultimate truth".
Loundberg said that, “Hypothesis is a generalized statement which has to be still checked and
proven.”
Goode and Haute, mention that, “Hypothesis is a type of assumption which can be or has to be checked
and still to be proved as true.”
P.V. Young said, that “any thought that is conveyer of important discovery, can be called as working
hypothesis.”
Bogardus calls, “Hypothesis as a proposition which has to be still examined and inspected.”
Pete H. Marmin- “Hypothesis is a general assumption.”
town sand- Hypothesis is an answer to the question of the research topic.
M.H.Gopal – "it is a temporary solution or answer based on some known and received facts from
observation and is accepted to understand or search the way for some other specific problem."

From the above definitions it is very clear that – Hypothesis is a pre- thought conclusion, statement,
generalization, abstraction or assumption which the researcher formulates for his research and then
collects data and information’s to prove it. Any hypothesis establishes a relationship between various
variables. it also provides a base or foundation for any social research work, giving motivation for
collecting new information and knowledge. Hypothesis is also often compared to the North star which
guides the researcher in the right direction. in the absence of hypothesis the researcher may not be
able to move even a single step ahead.

3.11 Qualities of a Good Hypothesis

Any hypothesis should not be just like a dream world or castle in the air, but should prove as a guide
to the researcher. for this it must possess certain important qualities, as below:
(i) clarity—these are two important things that should be very clear in any hypothesis. one
is the long usage and second is the concept. the words used in it should be able to carry
the word with correct meaning, work and thought it is carrying. The specific words and
definitions used should be explained very clearly. The words contained should be clear to
others too so that they too get the correct meaning. the clarity of the hypothesis depends on
the wisdom and experience of the researcher to a great extent.
(ii) Empirical Referents—the concepts used in hypothesis should be such that they may be
re-examined along with the facts as base. the hypothesis is not formed to express the civic
or moral values as to what is good and what is bad. it is just a concept which has to be
examined on the scientific base. Thus the various social value concepts , e.g., joint family
is good, remarriage is bad, dowry is a black spot etc. are the concepts that should not form
hypothesis.
(iii) Specificity—The hypothesis should be related to any specific aspect of the study subject. If
any type of hypothesis is presented in general words, it is difficult to ascertain it examination
with unlimited field. Such hypothesis become useless from the view point of fact collection
also. Thus it is reasonable to make small and specific hypothesis which help in fact collection,
systematic research and ultimately drawing conclusions.

28 loVely professional uniVersity