A hypothesis (from Greek ; plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.

The term derives from the Greek, hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". Scientists generally base scientific hypotheses on previous observations that cannot satisfactorily be explained with the available scientific theories. A working hypothesis is a provisionally accepted hypothesis proposed for further research.In a related but distinguishable usage, the term hypothesis is used in formal logic for the antecedent of a proposition; thus in the proposition "If P, then Q", P denotes the hypothesis (or antecedent); Q can be called a consequent. P is the assumption in a (possibly counterfactual) What If question.A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study. For example, a study designed to look at the relationship between sleep deprivation and test performance might have a hypothesis that states, "This study is designed to assess the hypothesis that sleep deprived people will perform worse on a test than individuals who are not sleep deprived."Remember, a hypothesis does not have to be right. While the hypothesis predicts what the researchers expect to see, the goal of research is to determine whether this guess is right or wrong. An hypothesis is a preliminary or tentative explanation or postulate by the researcher of what the researcher considers the outcome of an investigation will be. It is an informed/educated guess. It indicates the expectations of the researcher regarding certain variables. It is the most specific way in which an answer to a problem can be stated. Statement postulating a possible relationship between two or more phenomena or variables. A statement describing a phenomenon or which specifies a relationship between two or more phenomena. FUNCTION; It offers explanations for the relationships between those variables that can be empirically tested. It furnishes proof that the researcher has suffucient background knowledge to enable him/her to make suggestions in order to extend existing knowledge. It gives direction to an investigation. It structures the next phase in the investigation and therefore furnishes continuity to the examination of the problem.

Types of hypothesesa. Inductive is a generalization based on specific observations. b. Deductive is derived from theory and provides evidence that supports, expands, or contradicts the theory. c. Nondirectional - states that relation or difference between variables exists. d. Directional - states the expected direction of the relation or difference. e. Null - states that there is no significant relation or difference between variables. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN HYPOTHESIS

It should have elucidating power. It should strive to furnish an acceptable explanation of the phenomenon. It must be verifiable. It must be formulated in simple, understandable terms. It should corresponds with existing knowledge. TYPES RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

It is a relationship between variables and indicates the nature of the relationship. If A is valid, B follows ... If you hit a child with a cain, he/she will cry. Schools in which pupil-teacher relations are open/friendly will have less unrest than comparable schools where pupil-teacher relations are closed/tense.

NULL HYPOTHESIS

"You are wrong, there is no relation; disprove me if you can" (Kerlinger, 1973) There is no difference between pupil-teacher relations in unrest schools and pupilteacher relations in comparable schools which experience no unrest. NB

An important requirement for hypotheses is TESTABILITY. A condition for testability is CLEAR nad UNAMBIGUOUS CONCEPTS. A research hypothesis (inempirical research) has to do with relationships between empirical phenomena. The concepts in a research hypothesis must posess single references (indicators) or denotations to identifiable phenomena in reality. A central theoretical thesis refers to hypotheses in more theoretical studies.