HYPOTHESIS

PRESENTED TO

PROF.Dr .Saraswathy
mam PRESENTED BY
GCN
Naveen kumar C N

1st Year M Sc(N)

INTRODUCTION
Hypothesis is an important & integral component of modern scientific
research.
Formulation of Hypothesis plays an important part in the growth of
knowledge in science.
It is regarded as an important mental tool & considered as the
principal instrument in research.
Its main function is to suggest new experiments & observation.
The focused specification of a research problem is articulated in the
form of Hypothesis.
The purpose or goal of a study is to guide the development of the
objectives, questions or outcomes.
 MEANING
Term derived from Greek word
HYPOTITHENAI

HYPO to put under or to suppose

THESIS proposal
 Hypothesis
DEFINITION
is an conjectural statement of the relation between two or
more variables.
Kerlinger

It is a tentative generalization, the validity of which remains to be tested.

Lundburg

Hypothesis are single tentative guesses, good hunches assumed for use
in devising theory or planning experiments intended to be given a direct
experimental test when possible.
Eric Roger

Hypothesis is a formal statement that presents the expected relationship

between an independent & dependent variables.
Creswell
 PURPOSE
Guides/gives direction to the study/investigation.
Defines facts that are relevant & not relevant.
Suggest which form of research design is likely to be the most appropriate.
Provides a framework for organizing the conclusions of the findings.
Limits the research to specific area.
Offers explanation for the relationship between those variables that can be
empirically tested.
Furnishes proof that the researcher has sufficient background knowledge
to unable her/him to make suggestions in order to extend existing
knowledge.
 CHARACTERISTICS
Related to problem Clear & Precise

State relation Testable

Specific & Simple Amenable with time

 SOURCE
THEORY

It gives clues to research by stating what is known.

Logical detection from theory leads to new hypothesis.

OBSERVATION

Direct observation is useful for deriving hypothesis.

INTUTION & PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Nurses can derive many hypothesis from clinical experience.

All knowledge begins with experience & its a source of hypothesis.
 RESULT OF PREVIOUS STUDIES
Its useful in order to replicate or test the present result.

CONTINUITY OF RESEARCH
Continuity of research in the same field itself is an important
source of hypothesis.
CLASSIFICATION
HYPOTHESIS

GENERAL STATISTICAL
HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS

SIMPLE COMPLEX RESEARCH NULL

HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS

DIRECTIONAL NON-DIRECTIONAL
HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS
 SIMPLE HYPOTHESIS
A simple hypothesis concerns the relationship
between an independent & dependent variable.

A simple is also called Bivariate hypothesis.

Example: The lower the level of Hb, the higher is the
infection among postpartum women
 COMPLEX HYPOTHESIS
A Complex hypothesis concerns a relationship where two or
more independent variables or both are being examined in the
same study.

A complex hypothesis is also Multivariate hypothesis.

A hypothesis is either supported totally or not supported.
Example : Satisfaction is higher among patients who are older &
dwelling in rural area, than those who are younger & dwelling in
urban area.
 NULL HYPOTHESIS (H o)
It is used for statistical testing & for interpreting statistical outcomes.
Itis used when the researcher believes there is no relationship between
the two variables & when theoretical or empirical information is
inadequate to state a research hypothesis.

It is non-directional by nature.
Example : There is no relationship between smoking & incidence of
coronary artery disease.
 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Research hypothesis states the expected relationship between
variables.

Theresearch hypothesis is also known as scientific, substantive &

theoretical hypothesis.

This will be helpful for understanding what the researcher expects to

find after analyzing the data.

It is directional by nature or it can be descriptive, relational & casual.

Example : There is a relationship between smoking & incidence of
lung cancer.
 DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS
Thehypothesis which stipulates the direction of the
expected difference or relationship.

Directional
hypothesis is a statement is conjuncture
where the two variables of the study are expressed as
having some relationship in certain direction.

Example : There will be a positive relationship between

extra coaching & academic achievement.
 NON DIRECTIONAL
HYPOTHESIS
A research hypothesis which does not specify the
direction of expected difference or relationship is
non-directional hypothesis.

In this case the difference can be in any direction.

Example : There will be a difference in adaptability
of fathers & mothers towards rearing of their
children.
 CRITERIA
Written in a declarative sentence.
Written in the present tense.
Reflect the problem statement or purpose statement.
Be empirically tested.
Contains variables.
Contains the population.
 COMPONENTS OF
former
VARIABLES
latter
variables variables

Dependent & Independent variables.

Types of relationship between these variables.
Direction of change.
Subjects in the population being studied.
 TESTING
It is defined as the formal
procedures that
statiscians use to test
whether a hypothesis can
be accepted or not.

They are procedure for

making rational decisions
about the reality of effects.
 BASIC CONCEPT OF
HYPOTHESIS
The null & alternative hypothesis.
Choosing the relevant test & appropriate probability distribution.
It depends on the following :
Size of the sample.
Whether the population standard deviation is known or not.
Choosing the critical value :
Significance level.
Degree of freedom.
One or two tailed test.
TOOLS FOR TESTING
HYPOTHESIS
Data
Idea
Collection

Expert
Deductions
opinions
 HYPOTHESIS TESTING
(procedure)
Stating the hypothesis (Null or Research).
Setting the criteria for a decision.
Data collection.
Evaluate the null hypothesis(accept or reject
the null hypothesis, based on the results on
analysis)
 FORMULATE AN ANALYSIS
PLAN
The analysis plan describes how to use sample data
to accept or reject the null hypothesis.
Specification :
Significance level
Often researcher choose significance levels
equal to 0.01,0.05 or 0.1, but any value between
0 & 1 can be used.
Test Method :
Involves a test statistic & a sampling distribution.
If the test statistic probability is less than the
significance level, the null hypothesis is rejected.
 ERRORS
Type i :
Occurs when the null hypothesis (Ho) is wrongly rejected.
Example : When the two drugs produce different effects when in fact there
was no difference between them.
Type ii :
Occurs when the null hypothesis (Ho) is not rejected when it is in fact false.
Example : When the two drugs produce the same effect, that is there is no
difference between the two drugs on average, when in fact they produce
different ones.
ASSUMPTIONS
 INTRODUCTION
An assumption is a realistic expectation which is something that we
believe to be true.
However , no adequate evidence exists to support this belief.
It doesn't have empirical evidence to support.
Provide a basic to develop theories & research instrument & therefore
influence the development & implementation of research process.
Principles those are accepted as being true based on logic or reason, but
without proof or verification.
Statements that are considered true, even though they have not been
scientifically testing.
 DEFINITION
It is any important fact presumed to be true but
not actually verified. It does not need testing,
unlike the hypothesis.
Gay
Example : That the interviewee answered the
interview questions accurately.
 ASSUMPTIONS NEEDED TO
CONDUCT A RESEARCH

Some of the common sense assumptions may be

developed to conduct a particular study.
Example : Prevalence of coronary artery disease is
more common among urban people as compared to
rural people.
 USES
Assumption are foundation for research studies.
Assumptions are good source of research topic.
They provide the research with basis ideas
regarding research.
They are helpful to develop theories & research
instrument for the research project which will
enhance the implementation of research process.
 CHARACTERISTICS

They are universally accepted.

They are theories applicable to a particular
field of study.
They refer to the finding of previous related
researchers.
ASSUMPTIONS MADE IN
NURSING
Health professional view health care in different manner than a lay-
person.
Thenursing process is the best way of conceptualizing nursing
process.
Stress should be avoided.
Human biological & chemical factors show less variation than
cultural & societal factor.
Counseling reduces anxiety of parents undergoing surgery.
Balanced diet will increase the resistance for children.
 TYPES
Universal Assumption
Based on Theory
Conduct a Research
Warranted research
Unwarranted Research
 UNIVERSAL ASSUMPTION :
Assumed to be true by a large part of the society, but testing such
assumptions is not always possible.
Example : There is a supernatural power which governs this universe.
THEORY BASED ASSUMPTION :
Research project can be based on nursing theories.
Example : A study based on Penders health promotion model will use
theory based assumption.
Individual characteristics & experiences.
Behavior specific cognition & effects.
Behavior outcomes.
 CONDUCT A RESEARCH :
Some assumptions may be developed to conduct a particular study.
Example : Childhood obesity is more private schools as compared
to govt schools.
Prevalence of communicable disease is more common in
rural area compared to urban areas or locality.
 WARRANTED ASSUMPTION :
Research findings or observations are stated along with assumption.
Example : Regular physical activity reduce BMI.

UNWARRANTED ASSUMPTION :
These are presented without any support of research findings.
Example : Mental diseases are cured by holistic healing.
LIMITATIONS
 THEORITICAL LIMITATION :

They restrict the ability of research findings

by generalize specific theoretical concepts in
study.
Also limits the study of variables through
operational definitions.
 METHODOLOGICAL LIMITATION :

Unrepresentative sample
Weak design
Single sitting
Limited control over extraneous variables
Poor implementation of treatment protocol
Research tool with limited reliability &
validity
Poor data collection procedure
Ineffective use of statistical analysis
 Difference
ASSUMPTIONS HYPOTHESIS LIMITATIONS
Assumptions are basically Hypothesis is a predictions. Limitations are restricted.
belief and ideas that hold to
be true.
Assumptions are not Hypothesis are statistically Limitations cannot be tested
statistically tested in tested in research. statistically in research.
research
Beliefs about the variables Predictions about the Limitations points out
relationship of two or more strength and weakness of
variables the research.
Based on the belief , the Predicts relation between The limitation influence the
researcher attempts to variables and statistically interpretation of the finding
discover the correlation. tested to conclude the study. and thus reduces the
credibility of research
 SUMMARY
A hypothesis is an explanation about the relationship between
the two variables (dependent & independent).
Research questions & hypothesis becomes sign post for
explaining the purpose of the study & guiding the research.
There are different types of hypothesis
Simple
Complex
Null hypothesis
Alternative
 Research hypothesis can either be non-directional
or directional. There exists a hypothesis that is
opposite of the positively stated as null hypothesis.
Thus to conclude it would be fitting to say
hypothesis is perhaps the most powerful tool, man
has invented to achieve dependable knowledge.
Research findings of the investigation will either
support or fail to support the hypothesis.
 If a theoretical, the theory is also supported in a descriptive study
hypothesis is not necessary, yet research questions are posed.
Assumptions and Limitations affect the inferences from the study.
Assumption generally refer to
Characteristics of the data.
Distributions
Correlation trends.
Variable type.
Violating these assumptions can lead to drastically invalid
results, though this often depends on sample size and other
considerations.
 CONCLUSIONS
Hypothesis plays a vital role in the research process but still a question remains. Is a
hypothesis always necessary.
Most research that can be classified as descriptive proceeds without an explicit
hypothesis.
Descriptive research, i.e. research that aims predominantly at describing phenomena
rather than explaining them, is very common in the emerging field of nursing
research.
Examples of descriptive investigations include surveys of the health needs of elderly
citizens, studies of the coping patterns of mothers of handicapped children and
surveys of the nutritional status of low income pre-school children.
 This type of study is often extremely important in laying a
foundation for later research.
When a field is new, it may be quite difficult to provide
adequate justification for the development of explanatory
hypothesis because of a dearth of facts or previous
findings. Thus, there are some studies of descriptive nature
for which hypothesis may not be required.
However, initial efforts to investigate phenomena are
usually strengthened by the formulations of hypothesis.
 EXCERCISE
A study to assess pregnancy related problems and
practices adopted by primigravida women in a selected
clinic at Bangalore.
OBJECTIVE :
To identify the physiological and psychological problems
related to pregnancy.
To identify the practices adopted in antenatal women.
To find the association between the score of practice
adopted towards pregnancy related problems and selected
demographic variable.
ASSUMPTIONS :
The study assumes that :
Primigravid women experience problem during pregnancy.
Women will adopt some practice to reduce pregnancy related problems.

HYPOTHESIS :
Therewill be a significant association between scores practice adopted towards
pregnancy related problems and selected demographic variable.
A study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of lifestyle modification among
hypertensive patients at selected hospitals in Bangalore.
OBJECTIVES :
To assess the attitude of hypertensive patients regarding lifestyle modification.
To assess the knowledge of hypertensive patients regarding lifestyle modification.
To assess the practice of hypertensive patients regarding lifestyle modification.
To associate the knowledge of hypertensive patients with there demographic
variables(Age, Sex, Education, Occupation, Income, Family history, Diet pattern)
HYPOTHESIS :
H0-There is no significant relation ship between knowledge attitude and
practice regarding life style modification among hypertensive patients

H1-There is significant difference between knowledge and attitude regarding

prevention of hypertension
H2- There is significant difference between knowledge and practice regarding
prevention of hypertension
H3- There is significant difference between attitude and practice regarding
prevention of hypertension
H4- There is significant difference between knowledge and attitude regarding
prevention of hypertension
ASSUMPTION :
The study based on the following assumptions
Hypertensive patients have inadequate knowledge regarding
practice about prevention and Control of hypertension

Knowledge about life style modifications helps in reduction of

hypertension and to better Prevention
Patients are the best conveyors of information to other patients and
to family
To find out the selected demographic variables.
Adopting lifestyle modification can prevent complication of
hypertension
Adopting lifestyle modification can prevent complication of
hypertension
A descriptive study to assess the knowledge of antenatal mothers regarding nutritional anemia
in selected rural area at Bangalore .
OBJECTIVES :
To assess the knowledge of Antenatal mothers regarding nutritional anemia and its prevention.
To find the awareness regarding right nutritional requirement for expectant mothers.
To plan and implement structured awareness program regarding Anemia and its prevention.
To find out the association between the knowledge of Antenatal mothers regarding Anemia and
its prevention with selected socio-demographic variables.
HYPOTHESIS :
H1:- The mean post test knowledge scores of antenatal
mothers who have undergone the structured awareness
program regarding Nutritional Anemia and its prevention
will be significantly higher than their mean pre test
knowledge scores.
H2:-There will be significant association between the mean
pre test knowledge scores of antenatal mothers regarding
Nutritional Anemia and its prevention with selected socio-
demographic variables.
ASSUMPTIONS :
The study is based on the following assumptions:
Antenatal Mothers may be willing to co-operate and
participate in the study.
The Antenatal mothers have interest to know about
Nutritional Anemia and its prevention.
The audio visual aids may enhance the knowledge of
antenatal mothers regarding Nutritional Anemia and its
prevention.
A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on
knowledge regarding burping of newborns among primi-gravida mothers
at selected hospitals Bangalore
OBJECTIVES :
Toassess the existing knowledge score of primi-gravida mothers regarding
burping of newborns at selected hospitals.
To assess the post test knowledge score of primi-gravida mothers regarding
burping of newborns at selected hospitals.
Tocompare the post test knowledge score with pre test knowledge score of
primi-gravida mothers regarding burping of newborns at selected hospitals.
Tofind association between the pre test knowledge score with selected
demographic variables of primi-gravida mother.
ASSUMPTIONS :

A1: The primi-gravida mothers may have some knowledge

regarding burping of newborns at selected hospitals.
A2: The demographic factors may have the influence on
knowledge level regarding burping of newborns.
A3: The structured teaching program regarding burping of
newborns may improve the knowledge, which may bring about
changes in health practices of primi-gravida mothers than
informal teaching.
HYPOTHESIS :
H :
1 There will be a significant difference between pre and
post test knowledge score of primi-gravida mothers regarding
burping of newborns at selected hospitals.

H2: There will be a significant association found between

the pre test knowledge score with selected demographic
variables of primi-gravida mothers.
A study to assess the knowledge of Adults regarding swine
flu and its prevention in selected urban area at Bangalore.
OBJECTIVES :
To assess the knowledge of adults regarding swine flu and
its prevention.
Tofind the association between the knowledge scores of
adults regarding swine flu and its prevention with selected
demographic variables.
Todevelop an information booklet based on their level of
knowledge on swine flu and its prevention.
 HYPOTHESIS :

H - There is a significant relationship between the

1
knowledge of adults on swine flu and its prevention with
selected demographic variables.
Assumption :
1. Adults may not have adequate knowledge regarding
swine flu and its prevention.
2. Adults demographic characteristic may have
association with their knowledge regarding swine flu and
its prevention.
3. Information booklet on swine flu and its prevention
may improve their knowledge regarding swine flu and its
prevention.
 BIBILOGRAPHY
F.N.Kerlinger,
1986 Nursing Research Principles &
Methods CBS Publications pp 16-28,198.
F.N.Kerlinger,
1956 The Language of Approach
Science CBS Publications .
Denise.F.Polite
Nursing Research Lippioncott &
Wiiliams Publications 2nd edition pp
119,121,124,126,133,134.
Denise.F.Polite & Bernadette.P.Hungles, Nursing
Research Principles & Methods. Lipioncott &
Williams Publications 6th Editions pp 61-70.
 Janet Houser Nursing Research 1st Edition 2011
Jones & Bartler Publications pp 124,443,442.
B.T.Basavanthappa Nursing Research 1998 Jaypee
Publications VIVA.
Dr.Bincy.R Nursing Research 2012 VIVA Publications
pp 65-75.
Kothari.C.R. 2009 Research Methodology Methods &
Techniques,2nd New Delhi, New Age International Ltd
Publishers.