Q. What is hypothesis? Critically evaluate the significance of hypothesis in social research.

Model Answer:

What is Hypothesis? Significance in Social Research

A hypothesis is a tentative, testable proposition that speculates on the relationship between two or more variables. As Goode and Hatt define, it is “a proposition which can be put to test to determine its validity.” It serves as a predictive statement that researchers aim to verify or falsify through empirical investigation.

Significance in Social Research

Provides Direction: Hypothesis narrows the field of inquiry, guiding data collection and analysis while preventing accumulation of irrelevant information.

Facilitates Theory Testing: It bridges abstract theory and empirical reality. By testing hypotheses, researchers can support or reject existing theories—for instance, testing Durkheim’s theory of suicide through empirical investigation.

Enhances Objectivity: Specifying exact variables and relationships makes research transparent, replicable, and verifiable, ensuring scientific rigor.

Framework for Analysis: Hypothesis provides structure for organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data systematically.

Critical Evaluation

Positivist Bias: Interpretivists argue that pre-formulated hypotheses impose rigid frameworks, failing to capture subjective meanings central to Weber’s Verstehen.

Researcher Bias: Hypotheses may create “self-fulfilling prophecies” where researchers unconsciously seek confirmatory evidence.

Limitations in Exploratory Research: In under-researched areas, rigid hypotheses prove restrictive. Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss) advocates inductive approaches where propositions emerge from data itself.

Conclusion:

While hypotheses provide structure and objectivity in quantitative research, their utility isn’t universal. Qualitative and exploratory studies often require flexible, inductive approaches to capture social complexity.