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Why do we need research hypotheses or research questions? Generally, hypothesis transform a general idea into a plan for what to look for, Hypothesis presents the researcher’s expectation about the relationship between two (or more ) variables. (Ary, Jacobs and Sorensen, 2010). Hypothesis is defined as “a logical supposition, a reasonable guess, an educated conjecture. It provides a tentative explanation for a phenomenon under investigation.” (Leedy and Ormrod, 2001).

Leedy and Ormrod (2001) explained that hypotheses are not unique to research. Hypotheses are constantly generated in the human mind as we work to understand day-to-day phenomena. By formulating a series of reasonable guesses of cause and effect we are able to understand and explore the events in our surrounding environment.

A hypothesis is important because it guides the research. An investigator may refer to the hypothesis to direct his or her thought process toward the solution of the research problem or subproblems. The hypothesis helps an investigator to collect the right kinds of data needed for the investigation. Hypotheses are also important because they help an investigator to locate information needed to resolve the research problem or subproblems (Leedy and Ormrod, 2001).

Ary, Jacobs and Sorensen (2010) had stressed that the principal purposes served by the hypothesis include the following:

1. The hypothesis brings together information to enable the researcher make a tentative statement about how the variables in the study related;
2. Hypotheses stimulate a research endeavor that results in the accumulation of new knowledge. Hypothesis testing research permits investigators to validate or fail to validate theory through an accumulation of data from many studies. In this way, knowledge is extended.
3. The hypothesis provides the investigator with a relational statement that is directly testable in a research study
4. The hypothesis provides direction to the research. The hypothesis posits a specific relationship between variables and thus determines the nature of the data needed to test the proposition.
5. The hypothesis provides a framework for reporting the findings and conclusions of the study. The researcher will find it very convenient to take each hypothesis separately and state the conclusions that are relevant to it.

Hope that explains on why do we need research hypotheses or research questions.

References and further readings:

1. Ary, D., Jacobs L.C., Sorensen C.K, (2010). Introduction to Research in Education. Eighth Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company;
2. Bryman & Bell (n.d): Research Project Guide, Formulating research aims and objectives. Oxford University Press;
3. Leedy, Paul. D, and Ormrod, Jeanne E. (2001). Practical Research: Planning and Design. (7th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall;
4. The International Development Research Center (IDRC): Formulation Of Research  Objectives;
5. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire : Generating A Research Hypothesis.

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