1. Research Hypothesis WOMAN AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH UNIT, FERNANDEZ HOSPITAL, HYDERABAD, INDIA

2. The Hypothesis  The Research Hypothesis is a statement that you will either prove or disprove through your research  A well thought out hypothesis may come out of experience (self, peers, experts, teachers), knowledge gained from different sources (journals, text books, academic meetings, the patient), or sometimes in your dreams…serendipity!

3. Hypothesis to Question  The research hypothesis leads to the research question  A well thought out research hypothesis will have several specific elements that can lead to the development of a focused research question  The addition of specific elements may make the hypothesis a lengthy one; however, this is balanced by the clarity it adds to the development of a focused research question

4. Specific Elements of a Hypothesis  The hypothesis clearly mentions the condition of interest in a well defined manner  The hypothesis clearly mentions and defines associated variables of interest  The hypothesis clearly mentions and defines the anticipated relationship between the variables of interest

5. Specific Elements of a Hypothesis-2  The hypothesis clearly mentions and defines the population of interest for the research  The hypothesis clearly defines a time period for the study- in terms of duration of interest (year), or specific periods of the condition (gestational age), period of follow up  The hypothesis clearly mentions and defines the proposed methods of ascertainment of the measures pertinent to the research

6. Relevance of the Hypothesis  Is the hypothesis relevant to the local, regional or national population that you serve?  Is the hypothesis Measurable, Achievable, and possible to explore within a reasonable Time frame?  A well thought out hypothesis will lay out several elements necessary for a focused research question

7. Hypothesis-Example  Iron deficiency anemia, as determined by the measurement of hemoglobin using a hemoglobinometer and defined as a haemoglobin < 11.0 gm/dl, in the second and third trimesters among primi mothers is a cause for low birth weight (determined by measurement of birth weight within 30 minutes after delivery) and defined as a birthweight < 1500 gms, among singleton babies born after 2005