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HYPOTHESIS;MEANING AND
TYPES
● Introduction

● Meaning

● Definition

● Characteristic

● Process for the Formulation of

Hypothesis

● Source of hypothesis

● Types of hypothesis

● Relevance of hypothises in legel

reseach

● Conclusion
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A. INTRODUCTION
Research has become an integral part, not only for
academics but for all areas of human
activities.Hypothesis is an important element in research.
Hypothesis provides the basis for investigation and
ensures the proper direction in which the study should
proceed. It provides direction to research. It defines what
is relevant and what is irrelevant in research. According
to Black and Champion,Hypothesis is a “A tentative
statement about something, the validity of which is
usually unknown”. That means Hypothesis is just an
assumption given by researcher after study or reviewing
the existing literature,information or thies. Hypothesis are
assumptions which are not proven and validity of
hypothesis is usually unknown. 1 A hypothesis is a
proposed clarification for a phenomenon. For a
hypothesis to be logical speculation. The logical strategy
necessitates that one can test it. Researchers for the
most part base logical hypothesis on past perceptions
that can’t sufficiently be clarified with the accessible
logical hypotheses. Despite the fact that the words
“hypothesis” and “hypothesis” are regularly utilized
equivalently, a logical hypothesis isn’t equivalent to a
scientific hypothesis.

1
Legal research methodology 3rd edition (prof. Dr. Rattan singh) lexis Nexis”
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B. Origin of Hypothesis
The term "hypothesis" was first reported in the years
1590-1600 and is composed of two Greek words: "hypo"
which means less than or under and "thesis" which
means concept or notion. The term hypothesis is derived
from the ancient Greek word hyposthenia, which means
"to put beneath" or "to assume." The term hypothesis was
first used in this meaning in the field of geometry, which
was one of the early applications.Plato describes it in the
Meno as"spiritual experience."2

2
G. K. Gilbert, The Origin of Hypotheses, Illustrated by the Discussion of a Topographic Problem,
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Vol. 3, No. 53 (Jan. 3, 1896), pp. 1-13
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C. Meaning
Hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in
order to test its logical or empirical
consequences. The word is derived from the
greek word-‘hypo tithenai’ meaning ‘to put under’
or to ‘to suppose’. Hypothesis is made up of two
words, “hypo” and “thesis” which means less than
or less certain than a thesis. it is a presumptive
statement of a proposition or a reasonable guess,
based upon the available evidence, which the
researcher seeks to prove through his study. A
hypothesis may seem contrary to the real
situation. It may prove to be correct or incorrect.
Hypothesis need to be clear and precise and
capable of being tested. It is to be limited in
scope and consistent with known or established
facts and should be amenable to testing within
the stipulated time. A research hypothesis is a
hypothesis that is used to test the relationship
between two or more variables.
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Following are the examples of hypotheses based on

their types:

● Consumption of sugary drinks every day leads to

obesity is an example of a simple hypothesis.
● All lilies have the same number of petals is an
example of a null hypothesis.
● If a person gets 7 hours of sleep, then he will feel less
fatigue than if he sleeps less. It is an example of a
directional hypothesis.
● Group study increases higher division
achievement.
● Educated women have more adjustment
problems after marriage than illiterate women.
● Job satisfaction decreases as working
hours increases

HYPOTHESIS IN RESEARCH
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D. DEFINITION OF HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis may be defined as assumption or formal
question which is not proved or solved. It is provisional
guid of investigation or research which is highly probable
in light of facts or issues which are emerge in particular
situation.

Heres some definitions of hypothesis by authors:-

1. According to Karlinger,1956 ;A hypothesis is a

conjectural statement of relation between to or more
variables. 3

2. According to Goode and Hatt defined ;

Hypothesis as a proposition which can be put to test
to determined validity".
3. According to Rummel ; “A hypothesis is a
statement capable of being tested and there by
verified or rejected".

3
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/hypothesis-16733191/16733191 (last view on 10 November
2024 )
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1. According to Grinnell; A hypothesis is written

in such a way that it can be proven or disproven by
valid and reliable data, in order to obtain these data
that weperform our study.

E. Characteristic of hypothesis

● Hypothesis should be clear and precise and

should be capable of being tested .
● Research programmes have bogged down due
to untestable hypothesis.
● Hypothesis state relationship between
variables, if it be a relational Hypothesis, should
be limited in scope and must be specific.
Narrower hypothesis are generally more
testable and a researcher should developed
such hypothesis.
● Hypothesis should be stated as possible in most
simple terms so that it is easilyunderstandable
by all concern. But on must remember this
simplicity conditions hypothesis has nothing to
do with its significance.
● Hypothesis should be consistent with most
known facts i.e., it must be a substantial body
with the established facts.
● Hypothesis Should be amenable to testing
within a reasonable time.
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● Hypothesis must explain the facts that give rise

to the need for explanation. Hypothesis
shouldbe able to explain original problem
condition. 4

F. Process for the Formulation of

Hypothesis

1. Observation: Observation is the first stage of

formulating hypothesis.

2.Reflection: We see a number of child

marriages and also find uneducated people
there. Now, we anticipate a relation which is
based on experience. We then formulate an
answer that child marriages are common among
uneducated people and chis answer is
hypothesis.

3. Deduction or Induction: In deductive

thinking, the process goes from the general to
the specific. This process begins with general
hypothesis and proceeds towards specific
hypothesis. Induction is a process which goes
from specific to general. It begins with data and

4
Kothari, C.R.(2004). Research Methodology: Methods & Techniques. New Age International (p)
Limited, New Delhi. Pp. 184-192.
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observations and proceeds towards hypothesis

or theories.

4. Verification: This is the last stage or even

post-hypothesis formulation. In this, we actually
test our hypothesis to solve our problem or
difficulty.

Process of Formulating hypothesis

=>Problems in
Formulating the Hypothesis:
Main difculties to formulate the hypothesis
according to Goode and Hatt are:-
1. Absence of clear theoretical framework.
2. Lack of ability to utilities that theoretical
framework logically.

S. Significance of Hypothesis in Research. Ind J Holist Nurs 2019;

p.31-33.
WJ Goode and P K Hatt, Methods in social Research, McGraw Hill, New York, 1952,p.67
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G. Sources of hypothesis
Goode and Hatt have given the following sources of
hypothesis

● Observations from the past studies, present-day

experiences, and competitors.
● Cultural values of society, General patterns
influence the thinking process of people.
● Scientific theories
● Discussion and conversation
● Personal experience according which an individual
reacts to culture, science and analogy. 5

H. TYPES OF HYPOTHESE
A hypothesis is a statement that explains the
predictions and reasoning of your research—an
“educated guess” about how your scientific
experiments will end. There are two types of
variables: independent and dependent.
Independent variables are the ones that you
change for your experiment, whereas
dependent variables are the ones that you can
only observe. Broadly,hypothesis classified into
following categories :-

5
Prof. (Dr.) Rattan Singh legal research methodology , 3rd edition lexis Nexis p. 130
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1.Simple hypothesis:
A simple hypothesis suggests only the relationship
between two variables: one independent and one
dependent. Examples:

● If you stay up late, then you feel tired the next day.
● Turning off your phone makes it charge faster.
2.Complex hypothesis:
A complex hypothesis suggests the relationship between
more than two variables, for example, two independents
and one dependent, or vice versa.

Examples:

● People who both (1) eat a lot of fatty foods and (2)
have a family history of health problems are more
likely to develop heart diseases.
● Older people who live in rural areas are happier than
younger people who live in rural areas.
3.Null hypothesis:
A null hypothesis, abbreviated as H0,and is called “H sub
oh.” It is called null hypothesis because it is an “empty”
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hypothesis. Null hypothesis means that there is zero or

no relationship between variables.6

Examples:

● There is no difference in plant growth when using

either bottled water or tap water.
● Professional psychics do not win the lottery more
than other people.
4.Alternative hypothesis: An alternative hypothesis,
abbreviated as H1 or HA, is used in conjunction with
a null hypothesis. It states the opposite of the

null hypothesis, so that one and only one must be

true. Examples:
● Plants grow better with bottled water than tap water.
● Professional psychics win the lottery more than other
people.
5.Logical hypothesis:
Logical hypothesis suggests intercourse between
two or more objects. A logical hypothesis suggests a
relationship between variables without actual evidence.
Claims are instead based on reasoning or deduction, but
lack actual data.

Examples:

6
Prof. (Dr.) Rattan Singh legal research methodology , 3rd edition lexis Nexis p. 142
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● An alien raised on Venus would have trouble

breathing in Earth’s atmosphere.
● Dinosaurs with sharp, pointed teeth were probably
carnivores

6.Empirical hypothesis : An empirical hypothesis,

also known as a “working hypothesis”. Working
hypothesis is a preliminary assumption of the
researcher about the research topic, particularly
when sufficient information is not available to
establish a hypothesis and step towards formulating
the final research hypothesis .7

Examples:

● Customers at restaurants will tip the same even if the

wait staff’s base salary is raised.
● Washing your hands every hour can reduce the
frequency of illness.

7
Ram Ahuja, Research Methods, Rawat Publications, Jaipur, p.76
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7.Statistical hhypothesis : A statistical hypothesis

is when you test only a sample of a population and
then apply statistical evidence to the results to draw
a conclusion about the entire population. Instead of
testing everything, you test only a portion and
generalize the rest based on preexisting data. It is
statement about statistical population that one seeks
to support or refute.

Examples:

● In humans, the birth-gender ratio of males to females

is 1.05 to 1.00.
● Approximately 2% of the world population has
natural red hair
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I. RELEVANCE OF HYPOTHESIS IN
LEGAL RESEARCH

In legal research, hypothesis is an important

component without hypothesis, a legal research is
unfocused. So here some importance of hypothesis
in legal research :-

1. Legal research is based on theories and

principles, whereas socio-legal research
cvolves empirical study. It provides guidelines
for collecting evidence empirically. A hypothesis
is an indispensable link between theory and
investigation.

2.Hypothesis is an aid to the legal research

problem. It makes the result more accurate and
specific. It provides precession to the research
problem. It enables the researcher to eliminate
irrelevant data.
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3. Hypothesis indicates the need for change

in law and the legal system by providing new
knowledge. It is the first step in the direction of
establishment of abstract principles. If empirical
evidence is found to verify the hypothesis, it
becomes fact; this fact is verified hypothesis.
Some hypotheses do receive suffcient support
of evidence to lead to the formulation of thesis
or establishment of law.

J.Conclusion

In the end we conclude that Hypothesis is an

indispensable tool of research. Hypothesis tells
specific information to collect and thereby
provide greater focus.The importance of
hypothesis lies in their ability to bring direction
and focus to a research. Hypothesis is important
in terms of bringıng clarity to the research
problem. Not only exploratory and explanatory
researches but even the descriptive studies can
benefit from the formulation of a hypothesis. But
some scholars have criticised this position. They
argue that
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hypothesis makes no positive contribution to the

research process. On the contrary, they may
bias the researchers in their data collection and
data analysis. They may restrict their scope and
limit their approach. They may even
predetermine the outcome of the research
study. Despite all the criticism, a majority of
investigators use hypotheses in their research
implicitly or explicitly. To conclude, we can say
that hypothesis is an indispensable tool of
research that not only guides the researcher in
the goals of research but also helps in research
by avoiding less significant issues.
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