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Methodology of Social Research

note on logical conclusions, they are of great help in theory formation too. Durkheim had develop
the following relationship hypothesis in his famous writing ‘suicides ’:
(a) the rate of suicide is more in cities than villages.
(b) Males commit more suicide than females.
3. related to analytical Variables—some hypothesis are related to analysis of some variables.
Any social problem or incident is the joint result of few factors. out of these, any one
factor may be the main cause and the other factor helps in or enhancing that problem. e.g.,
Juvenile Delinquency or children involvement in crime is basically due to mental disorder
and weakness, as believed by most of the psychologists and psychiatrists. they also hold
the opinion that the mental health may be inherited. such type of hypothesis may also be
called as “causal hypothesis ”. in this , it is analyzed that if one factor is changed then how
far will the rest get affected. in other words, the effect of one changed factor could result in
what better options.

Task Good harvest is the result of the best fertilizer and soil seeds, climate and amount
of water given to that crop. What would be the result if any one of the factors is
changed, this is termed as ‘causal hypothesis’.

Some other Types of Hypothesis

1. related to positive statements—some hypothesis are related to positive statements, e.g.,
women are more generous than men, rich are more inclined to crime than poor.
2. related to negative statements—Here the statement in hypothesis is presented in a negative
form, e.g., females are not as generous as men, rich are not involved in crime as compared
to poor.
3. related to null statements—in this type of hypothesis the statement is neutral and on
the basis of research, the statement is accepted or rejected. e.g., there is no difference in
the generosity of male and females. there is no genuine difference related to the criminal
attitude of rich and poor.
4. Working Hypothesis— P.V.Young has named those hypothesis as working hypothesis which
may form the base of any research as the beginner’s view. Any new researcher may form
working hypothesis to start his basic work. But with experience and program, there may be
changes made. in some cases, the original hypothesis may be abandoned totally and replaced
by a new and better statement of hypothesis. such hypothesis are temporary or working
only, so called as working hypothesis. A good example of replaced hypothesis may be seen
in the statement that said that atom is the smallest part of matter and cannot be divided. But
later inventions and researchers proved that it can be further fragmented.

3.13 Importance of Hypothesis

importance of hypothesis in research work has been expressed in many ways. some wise men compare
it with the pole and some give it the place of a light house that guides the ships in the sea and saves
them from losing their track. According to Max Weber, with the help of hypothesis , each scientific

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