Course: Research Methods
In social sciences, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation or tentative answer to a research question or problem.
It is a statement that can be tested through empirical observation and analysis.
A hypothesis is typically based on a theory or previous research and provides a framework for the researcher to predict the relationship between variables. For example, a hypothesis might state that “increased stress levels will lead to decreased job satisfaction among employees.”
To test a hypothesis, social scientists typically collect data through various methods, such as surveys, experiments, or observation, and analyze the data to determine if the hypothesis is supported or not. If the hypothesis is not supported, the researcher may need to revise or refine it based on the new evidence.