8/16/2019 Abstract of Hypothesis

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  ABSTRACT

Formulation of Hypothesis becomes essential in studies involving use of empirical research

techniques. Hypothesis is derived from two words: ‘hypo’ means ‘under’, and ‘thesis’ means an

‘idea’ or ‘thought’. Hence, hypothesis means ‘idea’ underlying a statement or proposition. In fact

the word ‘hypothesis’ is derived from the ree!, hypo "means under# and tithenas "means to

 place#.

$ictionary e%plains ‘hypothesis’ to mean ‘a proposition, condition or principle which is assumed,

 perhaps without belief, in order to draw out its logical consequences and by this method to test

its accord with facts which are !nown or may be determined’. It is a proposition which can be

 put to test to determine its validity.

& hypothesis, therefore, needs to be formulated in such a way that one can gather empirical

evidence for verifying or refuting its correctness. It may prove correct or incorrect. 'ut in either 

case, it leads to an empirical test. (hatever may be the outcome, the hypothesis is a question put

in such a way that an answer of some !ind can be forthcoming. If a hypothesis is empirically

 proved, the problem, which was tentative in the beginning of the research, is answered. )he

statement ceases to be a mere proposition. It becomes a verified fact. If hypothesis is not proved,

the statement, in the absence of empirical support, merely remains as a proposition, probably,

see!ing for validity in future. *evertheless, such a disproved hypothesis may lead to an

alternative or additional hypothesis.