Hypothesis formulation, testing and directionality

research hypothesis

• tentative explanation to a research question

• stated in advance

• based on previous observations

• testable

• can be falsified but not proven

• It leads to predictions (expectations based on that hypothesis)

• it implies a relationship between VARIALBLES

• independent variable (predictor)

• dependent variable (outcome, response

Correlation

just implies association between variables (‘x’ and ‘y’ change together in a systematic way = trend

Causation

indicates that one event (dependent/response variable) is the result of the occurrence of another event (independent/predictor variable

RH directionally 

directional vs non directional

directional

def: states ‘direction’ (positive or negative) of association or effect

when: evidence suggesting so

predictions