The statement that describes researcher's expectations about relationship of two variables under study is known as?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

A hypothesis is a formal, declarative statement that predicts the expected relationship between two or more variables in a research study.
It translates the research problem into a clear, testable explanation of the expected outcomes.
According to Polit and Beck (2008), a hypothesis is a statement of a researcher's expectations about the relationship between the variables under investigation.
This predictive nature guides the entire research process, including study design, data collection, and analysis.

Option A: A significance test is not the predictive statement itself, but rather a statistical tool used to test the hypothesis after data has been collected. Its purpose is to evaluate the likelihood that the observed results occurred by chance.
Option C: An assumption is a statement taken for granted or considered true without being scientifically tested within the study. It provides a foundation for the research but is not the prediction being investigated.
Option D: Testability is a quality or characteristic that a good hypothesis must possess. It is not the hypothesis itself. A hypothesis must be testable, meaning it can be proven or disproven through empirical evidence.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Research Methodology: Hypothesis Formulation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
For nurses, understanding the term 'hypothesis' is fundamental to practicing evidence-based care. It allows them to critically appraise research articles and determine the validity of the evidence presented.
When reading a study about a new intervention, a nurse can identify the hypothesis to understand exactly what the researchers predicted and intended to test.
This skill helps nurses differentiate between high-quality research that can inform clinical practice and studies with weak or untestable claims.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question stem to identify the key concepts. The question asks for a term that defines a 'statement', 'researcher's expectations', and the 'relationship of two variables'.
Evaluate each option against this definition.
A 'significance test' is a statistical procedure, not a statement of expectation.
An 'assumption' is a belief taken as true, not a prediction to be tested.
A 'hypothesis' is a direct match: it's a predictive statement about the relationship between variables.
'Testability' is a characteristic of a hypothesis, not the statement itself.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 NursingResearch Suresh Sharma 5e Part 1 pp. 98-100, 105-107

E6 NursingResearch Sukhpal Kaur p. 115-117

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.