Sources of the Hypothesis

With the above reference of the heading, first of all, the question is this that where do ideas or problems originate.

Where should we look for a searchable problem?

In all fields of life, there are a number of common sources of problems, such as Existing Theories and Past Researches.

Being a student of social sciences or being a social scientist, we are fortunate that we draw so much from everyday life events. The things we, read about, see, and hear can serve as ideas to be turned into research topics.

However, the identification of these ideas as research topics requires an alert and curious scientist. Rather than just passively observing behavior or reading material related to social sciences.

We must actively question the reasons for the occurrence of an event or of a certain behavior. If you ask the question "why" you will find many searchable topics.

There are four sources to find a research problem as following:

 

Table of Contents

1. Theory

2. Everyday Life

3. Practical Issues

4. Past Researches
5. Internet (Different online Websites like Academia, Research Journals, etc)

 

Now I will discuss these four sources in detail.

Theory

The first source of the hypothesis is theories. According to Marx 'A theory defined as a group of logically organized laws', the theory is of two type functions:

1. Tool Function Theory

2. Goal Function Theory

The tool function theory is evidenced by the proposition that theories guide research.

The goal function theory is that laws are ordered and integrated by theories; theories summarize and integrate existing knowledge.

Everyday Life

The second source of the hypothesis is everyday life events. As we proceed through the daily routine dictated by our current point in life. We come into contact with many phenomena that pose questions in need of a solution.

Parents want to know how to handle their children, students want to know how to learn material faster.

When we interact with others or see others react, we note many individual differences. When one is observing children on a playground, these differences are readily apparent, one child may be very aggressive, while one other is much more reserved, waiting for others to encourage interaction.

The response of a particular person also varies according to the situation. A child who is very aggressive in one situation may be very passive in another.

Why do these differences exist not only among children but also within the same child.

What produces these varying responses? 
Why are some people leaders and other followers? 
Why do we like some people and not others?

These are many research-able questions that can be identified from the interactions and personal experiences that everyone has.

Practical Issues

The third source of the hypothesis is practical issues. Many experimental problems arise from practical issues, that require a solution.

The private industry faces problems such as employee morale, absenteeism, turnover, selection, and placement, to name only a few.

Work is has been and will continue to be conducted in these areas.

Counseling and clinical psychology is in need of a great deal of research to identify more efficient modes of dealing with mental disturbances.

Units of the federal and provincial governments also support experimentation designed to solve practical problems.

The government is spending a large sum of money to find a cure for cancer, hepatitis, TB, drug addiction and so many other problems. Large expenditures are also being directed toward finding better ways to conduct the educational process.

Grevious crimes such as kidnapping, murder, rape, smuggling the younger children for camel race are required such a measure that if not theses have been stopped but should be minimized in any situation.

Above mentioned all are practical concerns required solution.

Past Researches

The fourth source of the hypothesis is Past Research. Previously conducted research/ experiments are excellent sources of research ideas. Each well-designed study does provide additional knowledge, phenomena are multi-determined.

In an experiment, only a limited numbers of variables can be studied. Investigation of certain variables may lead to a hypothesis about the effects of other variables.