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Hypothesis and Research Question Essay example

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Research questions are formulated in a study to inquire about variables, both independent and dependent variables, and the relationship between them. Research questions are categorized into two, that is, qualitative and quantitative research questions. Qualitative questions are used in qualitative research like case studies, surveys and action research where the approach is non-numerical and analyses special phenomena that occur in nature. Quantitative research on the other hand is more of a systematic approach with measurable numerical quantities that go through analysis to prove a hypothesis. Finally, the research hypothesis is either approved or disapproved with regards to the results of the analysis (Laureate Online Education B.V. …show more content…

It must be logical, and provide a concrete base for any differences between the variables. It must also be simple and clear.
A hypothesis can state the following: there exists a positive relationship between employee performance and flexible working hours. Whereas a research question could generally be: do flexible working hours affect workers productivity? You can clearly see that the hypothesis states clearly and it is more specific in its prediction unlike the research question (eNotes.com, Inc 2011).
Hypothesis is typically used in quantitative research only. Moreover, when a question poses an inquiry on the relationship between two variables, a hypothesis is a statement declarative in nature of the relationship between different variables (Pajares 2007). A researcher chooses whether to use a question or a hypothesis depending on the purpose of the research, its objectives, the methodology for the research and the preference of the audience to receive the research. A researcher must be able to interpret the final outcome with reference to the research questions or the hypothesis used (Pajares 2007). A research requires a minimum of two hypotheses namely a null and an alternative hypothesis.
So, somebody can make a certain observation and come up with a hypothesis about how and why a phenomenon occurs the way it is. Hypothesis could be

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