A hypothesis is a term used to describe hypotheses or postulates regarding a subject under investigation.
It is a method of predicting how the test results will turn out before the actual analysis is carried out (Khan, 2011).
A hypothesis can be expressed in two ways: null hypothesis (HO) and alternative hypothesis (AH) (HA). In a sample, the hypothesis yields both independent and dependent variables. Independent variables are those that may be modified or adjusted to evaluate the effects on a dependent variable (Babbie, 2008).
Formulating hypothesis in Chicago gun violence study
A possible hypothesis, in this case, can be;
Gun violence in Chicago remains the leading cause of deaths.
From the above hypothesis, the statement can be said to be a null hypothesis, and a researcher can deem fit to provide an alternate hypothesis so that one of the two is tested to be true after data collection and analysis. In this regard, the two versions will be;
HO: Gun violence in Chicago remains the leading cause of deaths.
HA: Gun violence in Chicago is not the leading cause of deaths.
Formulation of variables
In this study, the independent variables can be ownership and in obtaining guns, law enforcement weaknesses, weakened family values, poor parenting, and police absence during celebrations. The dependent variable can be increased gun violence as shown in the conceptual framework below;
Independent Variables
- Gun ownership & Obtaining guns easily
- Law enforcement weaknesses
Dependent Variable
Increased Gun Violence
- Weakened Family Values
- Police Absence in Celebrations
- Poor Parenting
Conclusion
From these variables and hypothesis, the researcher expects to find out the main factors contributing to increased gun violence in order to come up with a remedy since the problem under study has been on the rise.
References
Babbie, E. (2008). The basics of social research. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Khan, J. (2011). Research methodology. New Delhi: APH Publishing Corporation.
