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Unit-3: Basic Concepts : Fact, Concept, Theory and Hypothesis

2. Lack of logical and efficient use of frame—if theoretical frame-work is available but in note
hypothesis building, researcher is incapable of using it logically and efficiently, then also
correct hypothesis cannot be built.
II. Related to Research Techniques—There is much increase in present scientific knowledge and
research methodologies about which it is not necessary for all to have knowledge. today study and
expression of social relations is done in mathematical formulae. in study, help is taken of computer.
Hence, it is important that in building of hypothesis, researcher takes care of research techniques also
so that time, labour and money are saved in study.
Other than these, some difficulties are as follows:
1. Variability of event—it is an attribute of social events that they are variable. the situation
that is today, will not remain tomorrow. thoughts, beliefs, psychologies and feeling of
humans keep changing hence it is difficult to guess about them. Causes affecting human
relations and their mutual relations also keep changing , hence building hypothesis about
them is a difficult task.
2. Favouritism of Researcher—One difficulty in hypothesis building is bias or favouritism on
the part of researcher also. if he is prejudiced or has an emotional attachment with any event
then there is a possibility of the hypothesis built by him to be faulty or unscientific.
3. Ethnocentrism—as compared to others, a person has a sensitive and emotional attachment
towards his own group, caste, tribe which is called ethnocentrism. in such situation, person
as compared to other societies, groups and cultures considers his society, group and culture
to be best. In such situation in hypothesis arrival of bias is natural. P.V. Young has suggested
the researcher to keep in mind three things while building hypothesis: a. researcher’s sharp
vision. b. controlled imagination and creative thinking c. availability of theoretical frame-
work and its knowledge.
Hence we may say in words of Kohen, “those who start the study with a blank mind due to lack
of previous knowledge about the subject, they are able to obtain scientific achievement with great
difficulty. To obtain something we should have previous knowledge about the subject. In lack of
any previous knowledge, we are not able to find out that which facts need to be searched and what
is relevant for the investigation?” While building hypothesis it is important to keep in mind all the
above mentioned things.

3.16 summary

y Facts are helpful in creating any hypothesis too and should be able to confirm it too. Thus
they are multi-oriented also.
y Concept is the only main base, on the basis of which useful hypothesis may be formulated for
further studies and researches.
y J.H.Turner has mentioned four main elements of theory—(1) Concepts (2)Variables (3)
statements (4)formats
y objective of hypothesis building is to compile the facts related to the subject and to guide the
researcher.

3.17 Keywords

1. Theory: theory is logical process of concepts related to subject-object of any subject area,
which makes sense of the inter-relations between the facts and provides policy and useful
direction in solving the problems related to life.

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