Nursing Research Q47
What is a characteristic of a hypothesis?
A. It flows from interpretation of the data collected.
B. It operationally defines the variable to be studied.
C. It eliminates the need to designate a dependent variable.
D. It implies a causative or associative relationship.
Correct Answer: D. It implies a causative or associative relationship.
A hypothesis implies a causative or associative relationship. Investigators conducting studies need research questions and hypotheses to guide analyses. Starting with broad research questions (RQs), investigators then identify a gap in current clinical practice or research. Any research problem or statement is grounded in a better understanding of relationships between two or more variables.
Option A: A hypothesis guides the research design and collection of data. To test a hypothesis, researchers obtain data on a representative sample to determine whether to reject or fail to reject a null hypothesis. In most research studies, it is not feasible to obtain data for an entire population. Using a sampling procedure allows for statistical inference, though this involves a certain possibility of error.
Option B: Operational definitions are not included in the hypothesis. A hypothesis is a predetermined declaration regarding the research question in which the investigator(s) makes a precise, educated guess about a study outcome. This is sometimes called the alternative hypothesis and ultimately allows the researcher to take a stance based on experience or insight from medical literature.
Option C: The hypothesis indicates the dependent variable. A hypothesis states a presumed relationship between two variables in a way that can be tested with empirical data. It may take the form of a cause-effect statement, or an “if x,…then y” statement.