Mixed methods research design and application

¶ … Prediction and Theory

There are several important components to a research study. First, a hypothesis examines a question or an idea before beginning a study. Next, a prediction suggests an outcome for a study. Finally, after the study has been carefully examined and has been tested multiple times using a wide variety of hypotheses, the results can be defined as a theory.

According to Cozby (2009), a hypothesis is "a type of idea or question: it makes a statement about something that may be true" (17). A hypothesis can be described as a speculative idea or query about why certain behaviors or situations occur. This question can then be either proven or disproven by collecting scientific evidence. Formulating a hypothesis is one of the first steps in developing a research study.

Prediction

Before beginning an experiment or conducting a study, a researcher will generate a prediction that suggests the most likely outcome of the study or experiment. The results of the experiment will either validate or invalidate the prediction. Likewise, the prediction will either support or refute the hypothesis. If the results of the experiment fail to support the hypothesis, the hypothesis may be rejected entirely, or the study may be recreated using different subjects or a different method (Cozby, 2009). There are several distinct differences between a hypothesis and a prediction. First, a hypothesis states a question or an idea in response to an observation. A prediction, on the other hand, suggests the outcome of a study. Secondly, a hypothesis is created before a study is developed. A prediction, however, is either validated or invalidated based upon the results of the study that was developed around the hypothesis.

Theory

In day-to-day speech, a theory is defined as an idea that might or might not be factual. When used in this manner, it is easy to confuse a theory with a hypothesis. There are distinct differences between a theory and a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a preliminary idea that has not been tested. On the other hand, a scientific theory is based upon large amounts of data that were gathered through empirical research, using multiple hypotheses that were tested and were found to be consistent with the theory. After a theory has been examined, tested and retested and evidence has been found that consistently supports it, the theory can be used to explain many observable factors in nature and society (Cozby, 2009).