A Study of Common Errors in Hypothesis Formulation and Testing among University Students in Social and Management Sciences

Abstract:

Formulating and testing hypotheses have been major issues for students, especially in the field of social and management sciences. This study examines these issues. Content analysis was used whereby five (5) projects of undergraduate and postgraduate students were analysed to identify errors in hypothesis writing and testing. The study findings revealed that there are common errors such as inadequate representation of specific variables of the project topics and wrong use of statistical tools in testing hypotheses. The study recommended that students should spend ample time reading literature on research and hypothesis formulation and testing. In addition, supervisors should have adequate knowledge of formulating and testing hypotheses so as to guide those they supervise in following the acceptable principles in the field of social and management sciences.