International Journal of
Educational Administration and Policy Studies

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Educ. Admin. Pol. Stud.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-6656
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJEAPS
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 245

Review

The importance of defining the hypothesis in scientific research

Aleksandar Bulajic1*, Milan Stamatovic2 and Slobodan Cvetanovic3
1Faculty of Information Technology, Metropolitan University, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. 2Faculty of Management, Metropolitan University, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. 3Faculty of Economics, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.  
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 08 May 2012
  •  Published: 31 July 2012

Abstract

Among hypotheses supporters exists a belief that the hypothesis creates the research process framework, implying that the other elements of the research are not as important for reaching the goal. This opinion directly promotes a methodology built solely on a system of hypotheses with its variables and indicators as a sufficient road to project realization. Correctly constructing a hypothesis and its system of variables and indicators is never a trivial process. The conceptual definition of the hypothesis, its functionality, classification and structure requires additional research work and in most cases can be considered a separate research project. In this paper, special importance is assigned to the hypothesis and its conceptual definition; how it originates and is discovered along with its functionality, classification and structure and the derivation of the hypothesis and its variables and indicators with all their necessary scientific attributes.

 

Key words: Hypothesis, scientific research, scientific research method, subject of research, variables, indicators.