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The Research HypothesisStatistics & Risk

Management

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What is a Hypothesis?A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the

relationship between two or more variables.Examples:

As gas prices rise, consumption of gas will drop.Women prefer driving a SUV over a pickup truck.Bonds provide a better “Return on Investment”

(ROI) over stocks.

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What is a Research Hypothesis?

A research hypothesis is a testable statement about there being a significant difference in a relationship between two or more variables.

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Common Formulas?

Research Hypothesis (SUV/PU)

Research Hypothesis (Bonds/Stocks)

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An Opinion? No, No, & No!

An opinion may not be supported with facts and may be difficult to test. − “Republicans make better Presidents than

Democrats.”A hypothesis is testable.

− “In modern times more Republicans are elected as President during recessionary periods.”

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An Opinion? You Decide!

The reason students drop out of high school is because they are failing anyway.

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An Opinion? You Decide!

Government Employees are lazy.

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An Opinion? You Decide!

Because of the recession, university enrollment has plummeted in the last ten

years.

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An Opinion? You Decide!

Student Obesity has been on the increase for the last 10 years.