La formulation d'hypothèse
Modifié le 08/04/2025 à 13h54
“Science, my boy, is made of mistakes, but mistakes that it is good to make, because they gradually lead to the truth.”
Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne
When conducting experimental research, the researcher goes through several stages to arrive at their operational hypothesis, which must then be verified.
To ensure we correctly answer our research question, it is important to carefully formulate each hypothesis. These are crucial steps for the rest of the study.
Step 1: Initial Question / Problem Statement
- This is the first stage of experimental research. It consists of a set of questions we ask ourselves to address a specific topic.
- This question can be formulated after a phase of documentation / reading through the study of different external information sources, or following an observation or an exploratory study.
Example 1
Julie wants to learn how to ski, so she signed up for private lessons to improve her skills.
Will Julie's skiing level at the end of the vacation depend on the number of lesson hours she takes?
Will Julie's skiing level at the end of the vacation depend on the number of lesson hours she takes?
Example 2
Researchers are working on optimizing learning on an e-learning platform through guidance.
Do learning performances on an e-learning platform depend on guidance?
Do learning performances on an e-learning platform depend on guidance?
Step 2: Theoretical Hypothesis or Research Hypothesis
The research hypothesis is an assumption that answers the initial question. Whenever possible, it asserts a relationship between two variables.
An independent variable or condition (e.g.: sociological, psychological characteristics of individuals),
And a dependent variable or effects (performance, psychological state, etc.).
It is always formulated as an affirmative sentence that describes the impact of one variable on another.
An independent variable or condition (e.g.: sociological, psychological characteristics of individuals),
And a dependent variable or effects (performance, psychological state, etc.).
It is always formulated as an affirmative sentence that describes the impact of one variable on another.
The general or theoretical hypothesis is an answer to a question.
It aims to predict:
- The direction of the IV - DV relationship (+ / +/- - /...)
- The causal direction of the relationship (IV → DV)
Example 1
A theoretical hypothesis can be derived from the reasoning behind the initial question.
- Taking multiple skiing lessons will improve Julie's skiing level.
Example 2
A theoretical hypothesis can be derived from the reasoning behind the initial question.
- Adding guidance will improve learning on an e-learning platform.
Step 3: Operational Hypothesis
The operational hypothesis specifies the general hypothesis.
It serves as a concrete example of applying the general hypothesis. It retains the same idea but specifies the variables and behaviors that will be studied in the experiment.
It serves as a concrete example of applying the general hypothesis. It retains the same idea but specifies the variables and behaviors that will be studied in the experiment.
The operational hypothesis consists of predicting the effect of the manipulated factor(s) (independent variables) in the experiment on the indicators (dependent variables) of the behavior being studied by the researcher.
The primary quality of a general hypothesis is its ability to be operationalized.
Example 1
HT: The number of lesson hours Julie takes will influence her skiing level at the end of the vacation.
The operational hypotheses making the theoretical hypothesis testable are:
- HO 1: If Julie takes lessons, she will have a better skiing level.
- HO 2: Taking lessons with an instructor will reduce the learning time needed for Julie to ski on a green slope.
