Hello dear fellow researchers. I am conducting a quantitative study (exploring causality between the dependent and independent variables) in which I have provided a theoretical framework informed by SLA research. Should a hypothsis (based on theory to account for any causality claims) be stated or would it be better to dispense with the theoretical framework at all if no hypothesis is stated? Advise please.
In social science research, including language learning, researchers often do NOT include a hypothesis, or at least not a formal hypothesis/null hypothesis statement. But you still need a literature review, which is, in effect, your theoretical framework. And I think you can, nevertheless, say that "this study was based on the _________ theories."
Mahfoudh Bessidhoum
Yes, you do need a hypothesis in quantitative research! It is normally stated after you base your study on some theoretical framework (usually placed at the end of the literature review section)!
A hypothesis is an extension of a research question. A specific question is also an extension of a general research question. Bearing that in mind, in quantitative research, one can either choose to extend a research question with a hypothesis or a more specific question, depending on the study purpose and design—albeit having a hypothesis in mind all the time. For instance, if a researcher explores the relationship between variables of interest, the use of a declarative hypothesis is unnecessary—suffice it to have a clear objective with a specific question. However, if they follow an experimental design and intend to link an explanation with causation in their investigation of the relationship between the variables, they should explicitly state a hypothesis in their study. You might check out the following for further insights.
Emmert-Streib, F., & Dehmer, M. (2019). Understanding statistical hypothesis testing: The logic of statistical inference. Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction, 1(3), 945–961. https://doi.org/10.3390/make1030054
Thron, C., & Miller, V. (2015). Persistent confusions about hypothesis testing in the social sciences. Social Sciences, 4(2), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci4020361
Wiedermann, W., & von Eye, A. (Eds.). (2016). Statistics and causality: Methods for applied empirical research. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118947074
Good luck,
When you state a hypothesis, your research framework is well grounded particularly that u r linking between dependend n indep vars
Dear Mahfoudh,
as another prompt or idea: You said you were "conducting a quantitative study (exploring causality between the dependent and independent variables)". To me, this would imply that you are conducting an experiment, in which the IV is presented in different conditions to identify whether the DV changes as a result of changes in the IV. Is this your current workplan?
Theories might be used to explore the questions in a scholarly study. In quantitative research, researchers often test theories as an explanation for answers to their questions. ... In mixed methods research, researchers may both test theories and generate them
Well, that's perfect then! When you said "conducting a quantitative study", I thought it might be a one-off questionnaire that you simply hand out to students. Often, when people do that, they afterwards claim that there is a causal relationship between the questionnaire variables (e.g., EFL motivation influences EFL proficiency), although the one-off questionnaire cannot actually examine causality. But in the case of an actual experiment with different conditions this is of course possible! Everything is fine then. (-:
Andreas Wirag Thank you for your feedback. However, I did not mention questionnaires at all, and quantitative studies could also be descriptive, survey and experimental. Mine is quasi-experimental because my context is education (classroom-based research).
I see! I think my one-off questionnaire is actually the same as your quantitative survey, just using a different name for the same thing. Very good, with your quasi-experiment you can examine causality (which is great). All the best for your research!
Andreas Wirag Tank you very much professor for your feedback and support. Best of luck for you. Bless you.
There is a link between theoretical framework and quantitative research design. ... Quantitative research design utilizes deductive reasoning, which begins with identifying the theoretical framework that will provide structure and guide the research project. https://www.statisticssolutions.com/dissertation-resources/theoretical-framework/
Check https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/22781_Chapter_3.pdf
Every research should have an hypothesis which will either be rejected or confirmed at the end of the study.
theories might be used to explore the questions in a scholarly study. In quantitative research, researchers often test theories as an explanation for answers to their questions. ... In mixed methods research, researchers may both test theories and generate them