Guidelines in Formulating the Hypothesis
In formulating an effective hypothesis the following guidelines should be adhered to:
- a) Reflect — on issues of concern
- b) Analyze the research problem, title, objectives and literature review. These sections will identify key variables that the. r0esearcher’; can use as a base to define the relationships.
- c) Generate operational definitions for all variables.
- d) State the research hypothesis – The research hypothesis should clearly state the relationship that the researcher thinks exists between the independent and dependent variables.
- e) Formulate — The researcher should then write down the relationship between the variables ensuring that they are measurable and if accomplished will answer the research question. The researcher should ensure they reflect expected relationships or differences.
- e) Evaluation — After formulating the hypothesis, the researchers should evaluate it to find out if it addresses all sections of the research problem.
Challenges Faced in Formulating the Hypothesis
There are various challenges faced in hypothesis formulation. These challenges include:
- Lack of clarity: In some studies, the hypothesis does not clearly state the relationship between two or more variables. They do not focus on the relationship the study hopes to portray.
- At times the variables stated in the hypothesis are too many and cannot be achieved within the time frame stated.
- Some of the formulated hypotheses are not testable or verifiable.
- Some hypotheses do not address all aspects of the research problem.
Hypothesis can be used in both qualitative and quantitative research. They are applicable when the researcher intends to show that a relationship exists between the independent and dependent variables.
These are issues that the researcher seeks to answer. They are related to the research objectives. These questions guide the research process by addressing the variables of the study.
Significance of the Study
This section outlines the significance or importance of the issue at hand. If for example the researcher is investigating poor prices, then significance would be related to improvement of prices. It could also involve creation of awareness of market forces.
Limitations of the Study
This section indicates challenges anticipated or faced by the. researcher. This includes time and financial limitations that influenced the scope of the study, data inaccessibility, and unanticipated occurrences. However the researcher should make an attempt to state how the challenges were overcome.
