Hypothesis
The word ‘Hypothesis is derived from a Greek word, which means ‘to suppose’. It is usually considered as the principal instrument in research. For a researcher it is a formal question that he or she intends to resolve. In this way a hypothesis may be defined as a proposition or a supposition. The main function of hypothesis is to guide the collection and processing of materials and direct the research. Hypothesis is a tentative conclusion. It is facts based theory. A research scholar will analyze the information from variety of sources in order to create a hypothesis. Hypothesis can be of two types – - Explanatory - Descriptive
In explanatory hypothesis researcher tries to account for a given fact and the explanation is provisional because it is based on inconclusive proof. This method is especially used in finding out laws in history. The defeat of the army of Siraj in the battle of Plassey is a fact. Various explanations are offered for this fact. Again the rise of Gandhi has been accounted for variously by various authors such as Shaid Amin and Judith Brown. These explanations are really the nature of hypothesis.
Descriptive hypothesis is employed for making a complex mass of facts, which are isolated from one another, a meaningful unit by describing it in a collective manner. To describe the reign of Samudragupta as “the Golden age of the Ancient India” is to frame a descriptive hypothesis. There are many who dispute this hypothesis. Many do not accept the reign of Samudragupta as the golden age of the ancient India. They are in the nature of hypothesis.
In explanatory hypothesis researcher tries to account for a given fact and the explanation is provisional because it is based on inconclusive proof. This method is especially used in finding out laws in history. The defeat of the army of Siraj in the battle of Plassey is a fact. Various explanations are offered for this fact. Again the rise of Gandhi has been accounted for variously by various authors such as Shaid Amin and Judith Brown. These explanations are really the nature of hypothesis.
Descriptive hypothesis is employed for making a complex mass of facts, which are isolated from one another, a meaningful unit by describing it in a collective manner. To describe the reign of Samudragupta as “the Golden age of the Ancient India” is to frame a descriptive hypothesis. There are many who dispute this hypothesis. Many do not accept the reign of Samudragupta as the golden age of the ancient India. They are in the nature of hypothesis.
Bibliography: 1. Ali, B,Sheik, History: Its Theory and Method, Macmillan India, New Delhi, 1978. 2. Chitnis, K.N., Research Methodology in History, Atlantic, New Delhi, 1998. 3. Jayapalan, N, Historiography, Atlantic, New Delhi, 2000. 4. Kothari, C.R., Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, New Age Publishers, Delhi, 1988.