Research is the careful and systematic investigation and consideration of study regarding a particular concern or research problem using scientific methods. Research can also be considered as the process of discovering new knowledge.  This knowledge can be either the development of new concepts or the advancement of existing knowledge and theories, leading to a new understanding that was not previously known. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, “research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. It involves inductive and deductive methods.” Inductive methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and deductive methods are more commonly associated with quantitative analysis. While research can be carried out by anyone and in any field, most research is usually done to broaden knowledge in the physical, biological, and social worlds. In this article we shall study important step in research i.e. hypothesis.

The phrase ‘systematic investigation’ represents how research is normally conducted – a hypothesis is formed, appropriate research methods are designed, data is collected and analysed, and research results are summarised into one or more ‘research conclusions’. These research conclusions are then shared with the rest of the scientific community to add to the existing knowledge and serve as evidence to form additional questions that can be investigated. It is this cyclical process that enables scientific research to make continuous progress over the years; the true purpose of research.

Objectives of Research

• To generate new knowledge.
• To gain familiarity or to develop a new insight into some phenomenon.
• To investigate some existing situation or problem.
• To construct or create a new procedure or system.
• To explore and analyze more general issues.
• To investigate some existing situations or problems.
• To test a hypothesis or theory.

Kinds of Research: 

Based on the nature of research studies, it can be classified as follows:

1. Theoretical Research: “Applied research” tackles a “real world” question and attempts to solve a problem.
2. Applied Research: “Theoretical research” attempts to gather knowledge about a phenomenon or idea whose conclusions may not have any immediate real-world application.
3. Descriptive Research: Descriptive research expands knowledge of a research problem or phenomenon by describing it according to its characteristics and population. Descriptive research focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘what’, but not on the ‘why’.
4. Explanatory Research: Explanatory research is conducted to determine how variables interact, i.e. to identify cause-and-effect relationships. Explanatory research deals with the ‘why’ of research questions and is therefore often based on experiments.
5. Exploratory:  Exploration research aims to gain a better understanding of the exact nature of the problem and not to provide a conclusive answer to the problem itself. This enables us to conduct more in-depth research later on.
6. Qualitative Research: Quantitative research seeks to understand the causal or correlational relationship between variables through testing hypotheses.  
7. Quantitative Research:  Qualitative research seeks to understand a phenomenon within a real-world context through the use of interviews and observation.
8. Conceptual Research: Conceptual research is a type of research that is generally related to abstract ideas or concepts. It doesn’t particularly involve any practical experimentation. However, this type of research typically involves observing and analyzing information already present on a given topic.
9. Empirical Research: Empirical research is basically a research that uses empirical evidence. Empirical evidence refers to evidence verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic. Thus, empirical research is research studies with conclusions based on empirical evidence. Moreover, empirical research studies are observable and measurable.

Hypothesis:

Hypothesis is usually considered as an important mechanism in Research. Hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in order to test its logical or empirical consequences. If we go by the origin of the word, it is derived from the Greek word- ‘hypotithenai’ meaning ‘to put under’ or to ‘to suppose’. Etymologically 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 will give a plausible explanation that will be tested. 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. It needs to explain what it claims to explain and should have empirical reference.

Nature of Hypothesis:

• It is conceptual in nature. Some kind of conceptual elements in the framework are involved in a hypothesis
• It is a verbal statement in a declarative form. It is a verbal expression of ideas and concepts, it is not merely idea but in the verbal form, the idea is ready enough for empirical verification.
• It has the empirical referent. A hypothesis contains some empirical referent. It indicates the tentative relationship between two or more variables.
• It has a forward or future reference. A hypothesis is future oriented. It relates to the future verification not the past facts and information’s.
• It is the pivot of a scientific research. All the research activities are designed for its verification.

Characteristics of Good Hypothesis:

A good hypothesis must possess the following main characteristics:

1. Clear Verbalization: A good hypothesis shows very clear verbalization. If the hypothesis is not clear and precise, the inferences drawn on its basis cannot be taken as reliable. Hypothesis should be stated as far as possible in most simple terms so that the same is easily understandable by all concerned. But one must remember that simplicity of hypothesis has nothing to do with its significance.
2. In No Conflict with the Laws of Nature: A good hypothesis does not conflict with any law of nature which is known to be true. Hypothesis should be consistent with most known facts i.e., it must be consistent with a substantial body of established facts. In other words, it should be one which judges accept as being the most likely. A good hypothesis maintains a very apparent distinction with what is called theory law, facts, assumption and postulate.
3. Testable: Hypothesis should be capable of being tested. A good hypothesis is in agreement with the observed facts. In a swamp of untestable hypotheses, many a time the research programs have bogged down. Some prior studies may be done by researchers in order to make the hypothesis a testable one. A hypothesis “is testable if other deductions can be made from it which, in turn, can be confirmed or disproved by observation.”
4. Limited Scope: Hypothesis should be limited in scope and must be specific. A researcher must remember that narrower hypotheses are generally more testable and he should develop such hypotheses. A good hypothesis takes into account the different types controls which are to be exercised for the purpose of verification. Narrow scope ensures that the methods of verification are under control of the investigator. It guarantees that available tools and techniques will be effectively used for the purpose of verification.
5. Well Defined Variables: A good hypothesis indicates clearly the role of different variables involved in the study. It should state the relationship between variables if it happens to be a relational hypothesis. A good hypothesis ensures that the sample is readily approachable. A good hypothesis permits of the application of deductive reasoning.
6. Amenable to Testing: Hypothesis should be amenable to testing within a reasonable time. One should not use even an excellent hypothesis, if the same cannot be tested in a reasonable time for one cannot spend a lifetime collecting data to test it.
7. Clear Objective: Hypothesis must explain the facts that gave rise to the need for explanation. This means that by using the hypothesis plus other known and accepted generalizations, one should be able to deduce the original problem condition. Thus hypothesis must actually explain what it claims to explain; it should have the empirical reference.

Importance of Hypothesis:

• Development of Research Techniques: There are various types of social problems which are complex in nature. For this research is very difficult. We cannot cover it with a single technique but it requires many techniques. These techniques are due to hypothesis provided to a researcher. Hypothesis though an important part of research may not be required in all types of research. The research which are based on fact finding (historical or descriptive research) do not need hypothesis. Whenever possible, a hypothesis is recommended for all major studies to explain observed facts, conditions or behaviour and to serve as a guide in the research process.
• Direction to Research: Hypothesis provides direction to the research. Hypothesis makes a research activity to the point and destination, Research without hypothesis is like a sailor in the sea without compass. So, research is to the point enquiry of problem due to the guidance of hypothesis. It directs a scientist to know about the problematic situation and its causes.
• Separating Relevant from Irrelevant Observation: A Researcher during study will take the observations and facts which are accordance to the condition and situation.During study a researcher come across many factors but he confined himself to the selection of required facts through formulation of hypothesis. Hypothesis helps him in selection of relevant facts regarding to the problematic situation. Thus, hypothesis defines what is relevant and what is irrelevant. The hypothesis tells the researcher what he needs to do and find out in his study. Thus it prevents the review of irrelevant literature and provides a basis for selecting the sample and the research procedure to be used in the study.
• Prevents Blind Research: It gives difference between scientific and unscientific, false and true research.Hypothesis provide the researcher with rational statements, consisting of elements expressed in a logical order of relationships which seeks to describe or to explain conditions or events, that have yet not been confirmed by facts. The hypothesis enables the researcher to relate logically known facts to intelligent guesses about unknown conditions. It is a guide to the thinking process and the process of discovery.
• Provides Tentative Explanation: Hypothesis facilitates the extension of knowledge in an area. They provide tentative explanations of facts and phenomena, and can be tested and validated. It sensitizes the investigator to certain aspects of the situations which are relevant from the standpoint of the problem in hand.
• Use of Scientific Techniques: Hypothesis provides the basis of proper Data Collection Relevant and correct information collected by a researcher is the main function of a good formulated hypothesis. Hypothesis uses the statistical techniques needed in the analysis of data, and the relationship between the variables to be tested. It also helps to delimit the study in scope so that it does not become broad or unwieldy.
• Proper Conclusion: A proper formulated hypothesis may lead to a good reasonable, utilized and proper conclusion. If the hypothesis is better than the conclusions drawn by a researcher would be better for solution of a problem. Hypothesis provides the basis for reporting the conclusion of the study. It serves as a framework for drawing conclusions. In other word, we can say that it provides the outline for setting conclusions in a meaningful way.
• Saves Time, Money & Energy: Hypothesis save time, money and energy of a researcher because it is a guide for him and help him in saving these basic things.

So, Hypothesis has a very important place in research although it occupies a very small place in the body of a thesis.

Separating a Hypothesis from a Prediction:

A hypothesis and prediction are guesses at their core, there are many differences between them. A hypothesis is an educated guess or even a testable prediction validated through research. It aims to analyze the gathered evidence and facts to define a relationship between variables and put forth a logical explanation behind the nature of events. While predictions are assumptions or expected outcomes made without any backing evidence. Hypothesis sticks to the scientific method rather than pure guesswork.

Types of hypotheses

• Null Hypothesis: This can be thought of as the implied hypothesis. “Null” meaning “nothing.”  This hypothesis states that there is no difference between groups or no relationship between variables. Thus, it proposes no relationship between two variables. The null hypothesis is a presumption of status quo or no change. It is denoted by H0. It is a negative statement like “Attending physiotherapy sessions does not affect athletes’ on-field performance.” Here, the author claims physiotherapy sessions have no effect on on-field performances. Even if there is, it’s only a coincidence.
• Alternative Hypothesis: An alternative hypothesis is an opposing theory to the null hypothesis. For example, if the null hypothesis predicts something to be true, the alternative hypothesis predicts it to be false. The alternative hypothesis often is the statement you test when attempting to disprove the null hypothesis. It is denoted as H1 or Ha. It explicitly states that the dependent variable affects the independent variable. For example: “Water evaporates at 100°C.”. The alternative hypothesis further branches into directional and non-directional.
• Simple Hypothesis: A simple hypothesis is a statement made to reflect the relation between exactly two variables. Thus a simple hypothesis is a hypothesis that there exists a relationship between two variables. One is called a dependent variable, and the other is called an independent variable. Consider the example, “Smoking is a prominent cause of lung cancer.” The dependent variable, lung cancer, is dependent on the independent variable, smoking.
• Complex Hypothesis: A complex hypothesis implies the relationship between multiple independent and dependent variables. For instance, “Individuals who eat more fruits tend to have higher immunity, lesser cholesterol, and high metabolism.” The independent variable is eating more fruits, while the dependent variables are higher immunity, lesser cholesterol, and high metabolism.
• Associative Hypothesis: An associative hypothesis predicts that two variables are linked but does not explore whether one variable directly impacts upon the other variable. In an associative hypothesis, changing any one variable, dependent or independent, affects others. For example: Just because there are a lot of sick people in a hospital, it doesn’t mean that the hospital made the people sick. There is something going on there that’s causing the issue. So, in an associative hypothesis, researcher note correlation between an independent and dependent variable but do not make a prediction about how the two interact. He/she stops short of saying one thing causes another thing.
• Casual Hypothesis: A causal hypothesis predicts that two variables are not only associated, but that changes in one variable will cause changes in another. Thus, in a casual hypothesis, the independent variable directly affects the dependent. A causal hypothesis is harder to prove than an associative hypothesis because the cause needs to be definitively proven.
• Empirical Hypothesis: Also referred to as the working hypothesis, an empirical hypothesis claims a theory’s validation via experiments and observation. This way, the statement appears justifiable and different from a wild guess. It is one that professionals accept as a basis for future research in order to formulate a theory for testing. For example: the hypothesis is “Women who take iron tablets face a lesser risk of anaemia than those who take vitamin B12.” This is an example of an empirical hypothesis where the researcher the statement after assessing a group of women who take iron tablets and charting the findings.
• Statistical Hypothesis: In a statistical hypothesis, the statement should be logical or illogical, and the hypothesis is verified statistically. The point of a statistical hypothesis is to test an already existing hypothesis by studying a population sample. Hypothesis like “44% of the Indian population belong in the age group of 22-27.” leverage evidence to prove or disprove a particular statement.

Sources of Hypothesis:

A good hypothesis can only be derived from experience in research. Though hypothesis should precede the collection of data, but some degree of data collection, literature review or a pilot study will help in the development and gradual refinement of the hypothesis. A researcher should have quality of an alert mind to derive a hypothesis and quality of critical mind of rejecting faulty hypothesis. The following sources can help the researcher in coming up with a good hypothesis:

• Review of literature.
• Discussion with the experts in the given field to understand the problem, its origin and objectives in seeking a solution.
• Intuition of the researcher also sometimes helps in forming a good hypothesis.
• Previous empirical studies done on the given area.

How to Formulate an Effective Research Hypothesis

A testable hypothesis is not a simple statement. It is rather an intricate statement that needs to offer a clear introduction to a scientific experiment, its intentions, and the possible outcomes. However, there are some important things to consider when building a compelling hypothesis.

1. The first step before constructing a hypothesis is a thorough review of existing literature on the topic of research. After the literature review, identify gaps in the literature. Then narrow down the research problem to fulfill the gap.
2. State the problem that you are trying to solve. The research problem needs to be stated in terms of research objectives or research questions.
3. Following the research question, identify the dependent and the independent variables. Dependent variables, as the name suggests are dependent on other factors of the study. They are influenced by the change in independent variable. Independent variables are the ones that are manipulated, controlled, or changed. Independent variables are isolated from other factors of the study.
4. Frame statements or hypotheses that reflect a prediction and are testable. Make sure that the hypothesis clearly defines the topic and the focus of the experiment. Try to write the hypothesis as an if-then statement. Follow this template: If a specific action is taken, then a certain outcome is expected.
5. Scrutinize the hypothesis. The results of hypothesis testing directly help to answer the research questions and draw conclusions for the study.

Testing of Hypothesis:

There are 5 main steps in hypothesis testing:

1. State your research hypothesis as a null hypothesis and alternate hypothesis (Ho) and (Ha or H1).
2. Collect data in a way designed to test the hypothesis.
3. Perform an appropriate statistical test.
4. Decide whether to reject or fail to reject your null hypothesis.
5. Present the findings in your results and discussion section.

Though the specific details might vary, the procedure you will use when testing a hypothesis will always follow some version of these steps.

Conclusion:

A hypothesis is defined as a formal statement, which gives the explanation about the relationship between the two or more variables of the specified population. It helps the researcher to translate the given problem to a clear explanation for the outcome of the study. It clearly explains and predicts the expected outcome. It indicates the types of experimental design and directs the study of the research process. A scientific hypothesis is a foundational element of the scientific method. It’s a testable statement proposing a potential explanation for natural phenomena. In the setting of scientific research, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation or statement that can be proven wrong and is used to guide experiments and empirical research.