What is Hypothesis?
Hypothesis is a logical prediction of certain occurrences without the support of empirical
confirmation or evidence.
In scientific terms, it is a tentative theory or testable statement about the relationship
between two or more variables i.e. independent and dependent variable.
Different Types of Hypothesis:
1. Simple Hypothesis:
A Simple hypothesis is also known as composite hypothesis.
In simple hypothesis all parameters of the distribution are specified.
It predicts relationship between two variables i.e. the dependent and the independent
variable
2. Complex Hypothesis:
A Complex hypothesis examines relationship between two or more independent variables
and two or more dependent variables.
3. Working or Research Hypothesis:
A research hypothesis is a specific, clear prediction about the possible outcome of a
scientific research study based on specific factors of the population.
4. Null Hypothesis:
A null hypothesis is a general statement which states no relationship between two
variables or two phenomena. It is usually denoted by H0.
5. Alternative Hypothesis:
An alternative hypothesis is a statement which states some statistical significance between
two phenomena. It is usually denoted by H1 or HA.
6. Logical Hypothesis:
A logical hypothesis is a planned explanation holding limited evidence.
7. Statistical Hypothesis:
A statistical hypothesis, sometimes called confirmatory data analysis, is an assumption
about a population parameter.
Importance of Hypothesis:
It ensures the entire research methodologies are scientific and valid.
It helps to assume the probability of research failure and progress.
It helps to provide link to the underlying theory and specific research question.
It helps in data analysis and measure the validity and reliability of the research.
It provides a basis or evidence to prove the validity of the research.
It helps to describe research study in concrete terms rather than theoretical terms.
Characteristics of Good Hypothesis:
Should be simple.
Should be specific.
Should be stated in advance.
The Purpose of a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is used in an experiment to define the relationship between two variables. The
purpose of a hypothesis is to find the answer to a question. A formalized hypothesis will force us
to think about what results we should look for in an experiment.
The first variable is called the independent variable. This is the part of the experiment that can be
changed and tested. The independent variable happens first and can be considered the cause of
any changes in the outcome. The outcome is called the dependent variable. The independent
variable in our previous example is not studying for a test. The dependent variable that you are
using to measure outcome is your test score.
A hypothesis should always:
Explain what you expect to happen
Be clear and understandable
Be testable
Be measurable
And contain an independent and dependent variable
Type 1 error definition
Type 1 error, in statistical hypothesis testing, is the error caused by rejecting a null
hypothesis when it is true.
Type 1 error is caused when the hypothesis that should have been accepted is rejected.
Type I error is denoted by α (alpha) known as an error, also called the level of significance
of the test.
This type of error is a false negative error where the null hypothesis is rejected based on
some error during the testing.
The null hypothesis is set to state that there is no relationship between two variables and the
cause-effect relationship between two variables, if present, is caused by chance.
Type 1 error occurs when the null hypothesis is rejected even when there is no relationship
between the variables.
As a result of this error, the researcher might end up believing that the hypothesis works
even when it doesn’t.
Type II error definition
Type II error is the error that occurs when the null hypothesis is accepted when it is not true.
In simple words, Type II error means accepting the hypothesis when it should not have been
accepted.
The type II error results in a false negative result.
In other words, type II is the error of failing to accept an alternative hypothesis when the
researcher doesn’t have adequate power.
The Type II error is denoted by β (beta) and is also termed as the beta error.
The null hypothesis is set to state that there is no relationship between two variables and the
cause-effect relationship between two variables, if present, is caused by chance.
Type II error occurs when the null hypothesis is acceptable considering that the relationship
between the variables is because of chance or luck, and even when there is a relationship
between the variables.
As a result of this error, the researcher might end up believing that the hypothesis doesn’t
work even when it should.
Example: Type I vs Type II errorYou decide to get tested for COVID-19 based on mild
symptoms. There are two errors that could potentially occur:
Type I error (false positive): the test result says you have coronavirus, but you actually
don’t.
Type II error (false negative): the test result says you don’t have coronavirus, but you
actually do.