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The term “hypothesis” comes from the Greek word hypothesis , which in turn, is made up of the prefix hypo , which means “under”, and the suffix thesis , which means “position”, “opinion”, or “conclusion”. ». Therefore, according to its etymology, a hypothesis is a conjecture, proposition or affirmation.
According to the Royal Spanish Academy, the hypothesis can be defined as an assumption of something possible or impossible, to draw a consequence from it. It is also a statement that is tentatively established as the basis of an investigation that may confirm or deny its validity .
In general terms, hypotheses are predictions of the outcome of a research project and are used to formulate different theories.
However, within the social sciences, and especially in sociology, the definition of a hypothesis is related to its object of study. Sociology focuses on the scientific analysis of human societies. That is, it is a science whose object of study is human groups, their interactions, their relationships and the effects they produce within society.
Taking into account the object of study of sociology, a hypothesis can be defined as speculation or conjecture about any aspect related to society that one wishes to investigate .
Characteristics of a hypothesis
The hypotheses are made up of the following parts:
- Variables: refer to things that can change or vary according to certain factors. They are usually elements, qualities, attributes or characteristics to be examined. They can also be observable or unobservable, dependent or independent.
- Observation units: they are categories, within which groups, people, organizations, and others are included.
- Indicators: are comparisons between two or more types of data. They are used to obtain quantitative or qualitative results.
- Logical connector: they are the words that relate the ideas within a text and allow it to be expressed clearly and coherently, something essential for the development of a hypothesis and the research process.
In addition, the hypotheses must present the following characteristics:
- They must refer to real or achievable situations.
- Your variables must be precise and well defined.
- The relationship between variables proposed by a hypothesis must be clear and credible.
- Hypotheses must be supported with available techniques and resources that can test them.
- They must include clear and specific terms.
- They must incorporate references and be able to be contrasted empirically.
- They have to be objective and not include value judgments.
- They need to be specific.
Types of hypotheses
There are different types of hypotheses. Some of them are:
- Null hypothesis: this hypothesis suggests that there is no relationship between two variables, according to the theory and the scientific evidence existing up to now. For example, a hypothesis may state that there are no differences between two age groups in terms of cognitive performance.
- Alternative hypothesis: includes different independent variables to obtain alternative answers to the question that you want to investigate.
- Conceptual hypothesis: focuses on the explanation of the research problem, according to a specific theoretical framework.
- Working hypothesis: quantitatively shows what has been raised in the conceptual hypothesis.
- Statistical hypothesis: it is based on statistical data to refute or reaffirm the research problem.
- Causal hypothesis: Here the hypothesis has one variable causing an effect on the other, producing an independent and a dependent variable.
- Correlational hypothesis: seeks to evaluate and explain the relationship between variables.
How is a hypothesis made?
To formulate a hypothesis, researchers generally follow a series of steps.
Selection of the topic or variables of interest
In some cases, the researcher already has certain information about the problem or phenomenon under study. In others, it is possible that he wants to check which are the variables that intervene in a certain process or obtain information that he does not know.
Data collection and definition of the problem
With the information obtained, the problem is delimited and the variables to be observed are specified.
Formulation of the hypothesis to be tested
The conjecture or prediction is made regarding the object of study, which will be the axis of the investigation and will allow to explain, refute, or describe the problem in question.
Development of effects or consequences
The possible effects or consequences that may arise from what is formulated in the hypothesis are developed and specified.
Investigation
The investigation process is carried out, experimentally to determine if what has been inferred in the hypothesis agrees with real facts or not.
Conclusion
Finally, a conclusion is reached that reaffirms or refutes the formulated hypothesis.
Examples of hypotheses
Since sociology studies a wide range of topics, there are an infinite number of possible hypotheses. Some simple examples of hypotheses can be:
- The anti-vaccine movement has greater support among young people between the ages of 15 and 20.
- Globalization and technology have not had an impact on the culture of the aboriginal communities of the Amazon in the last decade.
- Tobacco use in early adolescence is three times more harmful than in adulthood.
- In Hollywood, women’s salaries are lower than men’s.
- Cars today consume 20% more energy than those of twenty years ago.
- The life expectancy of the inhabitants of Japan is higher than that of other Asian countries.
- The consumption of two liters of water daily promotes weight loss.
- The opening of this city to tourism will increase the employment rate by 15%.
- 75% of adolescent pregnancies are unintentional and are due to a lack of information from both the educational and family spheres.
Bibliography
- dk. The sociology book. (2020). Spain. dk.
- Durkheim, E. The rules of the sociological method and other essays in methodology. (2020). Spain. Fund of Economic Culture.
- Müller, H. (2007, November 11). How is a hypothesis made ? Blog Sociology on the net. Available at: http://sociologiaenlared.blogspot.com/2007/11/cmo-se-hace-una-hiptesis.html
- RAE. Spanish dictionary. Available at: https://www.rae.es/
