The Hypothetico-Deductive Method Of

Scientific Research.
Introduction:-
This method is conducted in the process of scientific investigation/research. In research
process scientific method/scientific approach is very important. Without scientific
approach and following a scientific method, the research results could be full of errors,
mistakes and bad judgment. Therefore, scientific approach/research is used in research
process to make assure that the theories formulated, hypothesis generated are exactly
error free. H-D (hypothetico - deductive) model is a method of scientific research.

Definition:-
“The method/process which contains/consists of starting a theoretical framework, formulation of
hypothesis and later on implementation of method of deduction on the results of studies, this
process/method is known as H-D(hypothetico-deductive) model of scientific research.”

OR
“The method containing seven logical steps for the purpose of completion of scientific
investigation/research is known as hypothetico-deductive method of scientific research.”

Utility Of the H-D Model:-

Some advantages/merits of the usage of H-D model of scientific research are given
below:

1)It provides help in gathering different ideas to reliable information.

2)It provides the facility of replicability, and if repeated the results will remain same.

3)It helps the researcher to collect right kind of information from appropriate sample
and with appropriate analysis techniques.

4)It is a systematic method/process where situations are carefully observed, then

problems are identified, hypothesis is generated, data is collected, analyzed and then
conclusions are drawn with an objective to solve the problem.

5)It aids in the transfer of knowledge.

6)It helps to prevent from wrong analysis and wastage of energy.

7)It also makes the results more reliable and accurate.

8)It is most helpful to solve the problem through scientific research.

Steps Involved in the Hypothetico-Deductive Method:-

1:Observation.

2:Preliminary Information gathering.

3:Theory Formulation.

4:Hypothesizing.

5:Scientific Data Collection.

6:Data Analysis.

7:Deduction.

Diagram:-

Hypothetico-
Deductive
Method
1:Observation:-
This is the very first stage of H-D method of scientific research.In this stage a manager
of the organization observes different sort of changes or some new behaviours or
emotions or feelings e.g communications styles,verbal and non-verbal cues etc are
occurring/happening around himself.For example,there is a problem which is currently
being faced by the organization,when H-D method is applied to solve that problem,the
manager will first of all observe that particular problem then later on will go to the next
steps.

2:Preliminary Information Gathering:-

The manager/researcher feels or gets an idea about the happening in the environment
in the first step known as observation.Now in the second step,he focuses on that
particular problem and the reasons due to which that problem arises with the help of
interviewing the employees.He gathered all the important information relevant to that
particular problem.By asking or interviewing the employees,the researcher/manager
understands the factors which have been identified/got during information gathering
stage.

3:Theory Formulation:-
The term “theory formulation” means to integrate/interlink all the gathered
information into a logical and scientific manner.In this step the theories are
made/formulated in a sequence from the information gathered in last step so that the
factors and reasons which are responsible for the problem can be conceptualized and
tested respectively. These formulated and tested theories make an effective role to solve
the problem. These theories convert the complication of the problem into ease to some
extent.

4:Hypothesizing:-
Hypothesizing is the next step in H-D model after theory formulation. Hypothesis
testing is also known as deductive research. The hypotheses or educated conjectures
can be generated from testing theories, which were formulated in last step. Sometimes,
hypotheses that were not originally formulated get generated with the help of
induction process. Hypotheses are tested to determine the solution of problem and also
to determine either the statements/results are supported or not. Testable hypotheses or
educated conjectures have to be generated and are generated for the purpose of solving
the problem.
5:Scientific Data Collection:-
After the making of hypotheses, data regarding each and every variable present in
hypotheses needs to be obtained with the help of scientific data collection. In other
words, scientific data collection is needed to pick up the data from the hypotheses,
which were generated during the study, and later on the hypotheses are tested by
testing that particular data which is picked from hypotheses generated. So in short,
scientific data collection is needed and used to test the hypotheses. Data is picked from
hypotheses through the process of sampling which means the process of using small
or limited number of items or parts of a larger population to draw conclusions on the
behalf of the whole population.

6:Data Analysis:-
After collecting the data, next step which is done to solve the problem situation known
as data analysis or interpretation of data. The data gathered and collected through
sampling techniques is statistically analyzed to see if the hypotheses that were
generated have been supported with the theories/results formulated/made or not. Both
qualitative and quantitative data is analyzed. Qualitative data means information
gathered verbally or in narrative form through observations and interviews whereas
quantitative data is in the form of numerical numbers.

7:Deduction:-
Deduction is the process where the researcher/manager arrives at a result/conclusion
after formulating the theory, collecting the information, generating the hypothesis,
collecting the data, testing of hypothesis or analysis of data and interpreting the
meaning of results of data analysis. In this process, the manager/researcher logically
deduces the results of studies. By using this process, the researcher gets
result/conclusion by logical generalization of known factor.