Forms of Hypotheses
Research
Working
Directional
Null
Research hypotheses, ex. 1-2
There is a relationship between critical thinking
ability and performance on the Science Concepts
Test.
There is a relationship between the amount of
study time and the number of items correct on a
geometry test.
Research hypotheses, ex. 3-4
There is a relationship between parenting
style and adolescents' academic achievement.
There is a relationship between social skills
training and peer acceptance.
Basic form of the research
hypothesis:
There is a relationship between
variable X and variable Y.
(The research hypothesis is often
implied in the research report.)
Working hypothesis
Serves as a starting point for the
researcher. It is not a “formal”
hypothesis.
Working hypotheses, ex. 1-2:
There is a significant difference between lowability students in ability-grouped classes and
comparable students in randomly-grouped classes
on intrinsic motivation.
There is a significant difference in the math
achievement of 8th graders who spend more timeon-task for worked examples and those who
spend less time-on-task.
Working hypotheses, ex. 3-4
There will be a significant difference in science
achievement between students who are taught
science through “interactive collaboration” and
comparable students taught through “creative
exploration.”
The mean Science Concepts Test scores of 9th
grade boys and girls will significantly differ
following science instruction.
Working hypotheses, ex. 5:
Self-esteem scores will significantly differ for
peer-rejected 5th grade boys who receive
social skills training and comparable boys
who do not receive training.
Directional hypothesis
Posits not only that a difference exists
between or among 2 or more groups,
but also the direction of the difference.
Directional hypotheses, ex. 1-2
The mean score of male 12th graders will be
significantly greater than the mean score of
female 12th graders, after one semester of
instruction, on the Science Concepts Test.
Special education teachers will report
significantly higher rates of "burn-out" than
will regular education teachers.
Directional hypotheses, ex. 3-4
There is a positive relationship between the
number of older siblings and the social maturity
scores of six year old children.
Children who attended preschool will show
significantly greater gains in first grade reading
achievement than will comparable children who
did not attend preschool.
Directional hypotheses, ex. 5-6
10th grade biology students who are instructed
using multimedia will have significantly higher test
scores than will comparable students receiving only
lecture-based instruction.
High school students with behavior disorders who
are taught conflict resolution techniques will exhibit
significantly fewer instances of aggressive
behaviors than will comparable students who are
not taught these techniques.
Null hypothesis
Posit no difference between or among
groups, or no relationship between or
among variables.
Null hypotheses, ex. 1-2
There will be no significant difference in the
average scores of male and female 9th graders
on the Science Concepts Test following one
semester of science instruction.
There is no relationship between the amount of
study time and the number of items correct on
a geometry test.
Null hypotheses, ex. 3-4
There is no relationship between adults' reading
practices and their literacy proficiencies, as
determined by their performance on NALS
assessment.
There is no relationship between the ability level
of students with whom teachers work and
teachers' susceptibility to "burn-out".
Null hypotheses, ex. 5-6
There will be no significant differences in 5th grade
academic performance between students who were
enrolled in Project Follow-Through during grades 1-3
and those who were not enrolled.
There will be no significant differences in the academic
achievement of 10th grade biology students who are
instructed using multimedia technology and comparable
students who receive lecture-based instruction.
Working and directional are
alternative hypotheses to the
null hypothesis.
Which type of hypothesis is best
to use?
-Your research question will determine the
type of hypothesis you select
-The research literature will determine the
type of hypothesis you select