Presentation 4-Hypothesis Flashcards
What is a theory?
A theory is a set of interrelated propositions or statements organized into a deductive system that offers an explanation of some phenomenon (incident, fact, and occurrence).
Three key elements of a theory. They perform three major roles:
- Theories are made up of propositions which are statements about the relationship between some elements in the theory.
- The second important part of the definition of a theory is that theories are abstract systems, meaning that they link general and abstract propositions to particular testable events or phenomena. In many cases these abstract systems are deductive systems a general set of propositions that can be used to deduce furthermore concrete relationships between the elements of a theory.
3.Thirdly, theories provide explanations for the phenomena they address. The ultimate goal of a theory is to explain why something occurred.
The function of the theories
1.Explanation of a Phenomena
Theories provide an explanation of phenomena. They say not only what will happen under certain conditions but also why it will happen. This provides a much more powerful understanding of human behaviour.
2.Theories are a guide for research and practice.
They focus attention on certain phenomena as being relevant to the issues of concern. If we were to dispense with theories all together, as some will suggest, then what will we study? What data will be collected? What intervention strategy will be adopted? Theories help us find answers to questions.
3.Integration of multiple observations.
Theories serve to integrate and explain the many observations made in diverse setting by researchers and practitioners.
They tell us why things happened, and they enable us to link the outcome of numerous studies and interventions made in a variety of settings. As long as the findings of these efforts remain individual and isolated, they are not particularly valuable to science.
Recall that a single observation is viewed with considerable scepticism. Single research findings maybe in error, they may be passed over and forgotten, or their implications may be missed entirely. Theories enable us to organise these dispersed findings into a larger scheme.
Concepts
Concepts are mental constructs or images developed to symbolize ideas, persons, things or events. Concepts are the elements of theories; they are the building blocks that are interrelated in propositions that form the explanatory statements of a theory. At the theoretical or abstract level concepts are given nominal definition. These are verbal definitions in which one set of words or symbols will be used to stand for another set of words or symbols.
Definitions
Nominal definitions are directly analogous to the dictionary definition of ordinary words in which a phrase is designed to give meaning to the word or concept being defined.
An important step in moving from the abstract level of theory to the concrete level of research is to give concepts operational definitions.
Operational definitions are definitions that indicate the precise procedure or operations to be followed in measuring a concept.
What is a hypothesis
is 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.
Developing hypothesis
Need to move from a general theory to a specified researchable problem.
Part of the strategy is to develop hypothesis which are testable statements of presumed relationships between two or more concepts.
Hypothesis states what we expect to find rather than what has already been determined to exist.
The major purpose of developing hypothesis in research is to test the accuracy of a theory.
Concepts and theories are too broad and too abstract to be directly tested.
Research is the platform for informed opinion or information about the topic. You must be specific. Hypothetical Construct – provides a point of interpretation as if it were real.
Some concepts need to be specified empirically through operational definitions before they are amenable (agreeable) to testing.
Once operationally defined, these concepts are generally referred to as variables or things that are capable of taking on more than one value.
Continuation of hypothesis (maths)
In the construction of hypothesis, the relationship between variables is stated in one or two possible directions – a positive relationship or a negative (inverse) relationship.
In a positive relationship, the values of the variables change in the same direction both increasing or both decreasing.
In a negative or inverse relationship, the values of variables change in opposite directions.
Guidelines for developing hypothesis
It is important that the independent and dependent variables in the hypotheses be clearly specified. The independent variable (stands alone) is stated first in the hypotheses followed by the dependent variable. The independent variable is the presumed active or causal variable – it is the one believed to be producing changes in the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the passive variable or the one that is affected.
3.Hypotheses should be so stated that they can be verified or refuted. Hypotheses after all are statements about which we can gather empirical evidence to determine whether they are correct or false.
Developing hypotheses from theories is a creative process that depends in part on the insight of the investigator.
Deduction vs Induction
DEDUCTION VERSUS INDUCTION
The two forms of reasoning that are central to the specific process deduction and induction.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING
This involves deducting or inferring a conclusion from some premises or propositions.
INDUCTIVE REASONING
This involves inferring something about a whole group or class of objects from our knowledge of one or a few members of that group or class.
Research is a systematic and methodological process of enquiry and investigation which increases knowledge.
