Hypothesis - 1

The general objective in exploratory research is to gain insights and ideas. The exploratory study is particularly helpful in breaking broad, vague problem statements into smaller, more precise sub problems statements, hopefully in the form of specific hypothesis.

Hypothesis is:
1. A statement that specifies how two or more measurable variables are related. A good hypothesis carries clear implications for testing stated relationship.

2. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observable phenomenon.

3. An assumption or concession made for the sake of argument b : an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action

4. A tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences

5. The antecedent clause of a conditional statement

6. A preliminary or tentative explanation or postulate by the researcher of what the researcher considers the outcome of an investigation will be.

7. Statement postulating a possible relationship between two or more phenomena or variables. (Mouton's (1990: Chapter 6))

8. A statement describing a phenomenon or which specifies a relationship between two or more phenomena. (Guy's (1987: 116))

9. A tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to some phenomenon or event. A useful hypothesis is a testable statement which may include a prediction. A hypotheses should not be confused with a theory. Theories are general explanations based on a large amount of data. For example, the theory of evolution applies to all living things and is based on wide range of observations. However, there are many things about evolution that are not fully understood such as gaps in the fossil record. Many hypotheses have been proposed and tested.

10. Proposition formulated to be tested empirically, tentative or estimation.

11. Theoretical answer to formula of research problem, but it doesn’t empiric answer. Hypothesis used for quantitative research, while in research qualitative, doesn’t formulate hypothesis, but exactly find hypothesis.


In early stages of research, we usually lack sufficient understanding of the problem to formulate a specific hypothesis.

In statistics, hypothesis use sample as data for the intake of conclusion, for that in this research use international confidence, significant level, confidence level, margin error and others. This matter because decision for the population of obtained from sample data, representing estimation of population and not a result of depicting real condition from population.

Hypothesis function:
1. Guidance to instruct research
2. Giving definition to what will check and what will not check
3. Instructing most appropriate research design form
4. Giving framework to compile conclusion to be yielded
5. Besides functioning to test the truth of a theory, hypothesis also can be used to give new idea in developing a theory and extend knowledge of researcher regarding a symptom which is studying.


Source:
-. Marketing Research, Methodological Foundations, 5th edition, The Dryden Press International Edition, author Gilbert A. Churchill, Jr.
-. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothesis
-. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesis
-. http://malayresearchfoundation.blogspot.com/2008/08/hypothesis.html
-. http://www.accessexcellence.org/LC/TL/filson/writhypo.php