Why might it be important for a researcher to predict the findings and show the variables’ expected relationship in this manner? What purpose does the hypothesis serve?

Literature Review II / Developing the Research Hypothesis

Discussion: The Research Hypothesis

The research hypothesis typically states the anticipated relationship between variables in a quantitative study. Oftentimes, these variables are labeled as dependent and independent, with the independent variable meaning the intervention, treatment, or other change that is introduced. The researcher then wishes to measure the impact of that change on the dependent variable.

Why might it be important for a researcher to predict the findings and show the variables’ expected relationship in this manner? What purpose does the hypothesis serve? In this Discussion, you answer these questions and generate a hypothesis for your own proposed study.