Hypothesis

A hypothesis describes possible future events. A hypothesis is a proportion about factual and conceptual element and thin relationships that project beyond known facts and experiences for the purpose furthering understanding. A hypothesis is conjectural element of the reaction between two more variables. Hypothesis is not always inductive sentence farm and they relate either generally or specifically variable to variable. The two criteria for good hypothesis and hypothesis statements hypothesis are statements about relations between variables. Hypothesis carry clears implication for testing the stated relations. On the basis of above statement following hypothesis have been developed.
  Any scientific investigation starts with the statement of a solvable problem. When the problem has been stated, the investigator offers a tentative solution in the form of a testable proposition. This, testable proposition is called a hypothesis. Therefore a hypothesis is nothing but a suggested testable answer to a problem. Enlarging on this meaning of a hypothesis we may say: A hypothesis is a testable relationship between to or more than two variables.
Several experts have defined hypothesis in the same way:
 According to McGuigan, (1990), “A testable statement of a potential
Relationship between two or more variable is called hypothesis”.
 According to J.C. Townsned, (1953), “A hypothesis is a suggested answer to the problem”.
According to F.N. Kerlinger, (1986),”A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relation between two or more variables”.
According to W.J. Goode and P.K. Hatt, (1952), “A hypothesis states what we are looking for. A hypothesis looks forward. It is a proposition, which can put to a test to determine its validity. It may prove to be correct or incorrect”.
Types of Hypothesis
On the basis of the degree of generality, research hypothesis can be divided into two types:
1. Universal Hypothesis
2. Existential Hypothesis

Universal Hypothesis
A universal hypothesis is one in which the stated relationship holds good for all the levels or values of variables which are specified for all time at all places. ‘Adequate level of light increases reading efficiency’ is an example of universal hypothesis.

Existential Hypothesis
  Existential hypothesis is one, which states that the relationship stated holds good for at least on particular case. For example, ‘there is at least on schizophrenic such who does not have either delusion or hallucination’ is an example of existential hypothesis.
Null Hypothesis
  The hypothesis proposed in a psychological experiment may take the form of a general theory or a specific inquiry. A specific hypothesis is ordinarily to be preferred and exact the query the greater the likelihood of a conclusive answer. Null hypothesis is a useful tool in testing the significance of differences. This hypothesis asserts that there is not true difference between two population means, and that the difference found between sample means is, therefore, accidental. Null hypothesis is more useful than other hypothesis. In this type of hypothesis, the experimenter presumes that there is no difference between the two variables. By the helps of this hypothesis, we can study the significance of different samples. This type of hypothesis actually fulfills the main objectives of experiment.