Hypotheses in Nursing Research
In some nursing studies, researchers enter the inquiry without firm expectations. Their goal is to explore a clinical issue with an open mind, answer meaningful questions, or gather information that may later help generate hypotheses for future investigation. In other cases, the purpose of a study is to test a specific hypothesis. A hypothesis is a statement that reflects what the researcher expects to find. It may predict a relationship between two variables or describe how one factor influences another in a clinical setting.
To develop a strong hypothesis in nursing research, it is important to understand the difference between independent variables (the factor believed to cause or influence change) and dependent variables (the outcome being measured). These ideas typically come from existing nursing theories or conceptual frameworks. When researchers use a deductive approach, they draw on theory to predict how an independent variable will affect a dependent variable. If the theory accurately represents what happens in real clinical practice, then the researcher’s predictions should be supported by the data collected.
Sometimes hypotheses predict the direction of a relationship. For example, a nurse researcher might hypothesize that “higher nurse-to-patient ratios are associated with decreased patient satisfaction.” This statement predicts that as the number of patients assigned to each nurse increases, satisfaction scores will decrease. In other cases, hypotheses may simply state that two variables are related without specifying the direction.
It is important to note that researchers rarely claim to have proven a hypothesis. Instead, they say that their findings support or do not support the hypothesis. This reflects the understanding that new evidence or improved research methods may emerge. Nursing researchers may also refer to the null hypothesis, which predicts that no relationship exists between the variables. Rejecting the null hypothesis suggests that the variables are, in fact, related.
Quantitative and qualitative nursing research approach hypotheses differently. Quantitative research typically aims to test hypotheses using measurable data—for example, examining whether a new wound-care protocol reduces healing time. Qualitative research, however, often begins with broad questions rather than firm predictions. Its goal is to explore experiences, behaviours, or perceptions to develop new insights or theories. These qualitative findings may later inform hypotheses that can be tested quantitatively.
Both approaches are essential to advancing nursing knowledge. Qualitative research helps nurses understand the “why” behind clinical situations, while quantitative research tests interventions and relationships that guide evidence-based practice. Together, they strengthen hypothesis development and contribute to high-quality nursing research.
In the next section, we will explore qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches in more detail.
Student Tips for Developing the Research Process by Dr. Fehr
🔹 Tip 1: Start Small, Think Big
If you’re overwhelmed by research, begin with something you see in clinical practice. Even a small observation, such as patients forgetting discharge instructions, can spark a research-worthy question.
🔹 Tip 2: Connect Research to Clinical Practice
Ask yourself, “How would answering this question improve patient care?” If you can link it back to the bedside, you’re on the right track.
🔹 Tip 3: Literature Reviews Save Time
Don’t reinvent the wheel! A quick literature search can show what’s already been studied and where the gaps are. This helps refine your research question.
🔹 Tip 4: Exploratory vs. Explanatory
Not all research has to demonstrate “cause and effect.” Sometimes the most valuable work simply explores a problem or describes it clearly for the first time.
🔹 Tip 5: Think Feasibility
When brainstorming research ideas, consider: Can this actually be done with the time, resources, and access I have as a student? Small, focused questions often lead to meaningful insights.
🔹 Tip 6: Nursing Lens Matters
A study may look at “hospital readmissions,” but your nursing perspective lens asks: What can nurses do differently at the bedside to reduce them? Always keep the nursing viewpoint in focus.
🔹 Tip 7: Keep It Relatable
Use examples from your own student life—simulation labs, exams, clinical placements. If it matters to you and your peers, chances are it matters in practice, too.
🔹 Tip 8: Ethics Are Everywhere
Even if you’re just surveying your classmates about study stress, remember: informed consent, confidentiality, and respect always apply.
🔹 Tip 9: Use Visual Aids
Flowcharts, tables, and diagrams aren’t just “extras.” They help you clarify your own thinking and make your work easier to understand.
🔹 Tip 10: Research = Lifelong Skill
Think of learning research like learning a new nursing skill. You may not master it overnight, but the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become—and it will serve you throughout your career.
Activity
Watch the video Independent vs Dependent Variables [1:14] on YouTube by research assistants Ime Stavinga and Katie Gregson (2026).
Note: If you are using a printed copy of this resource, watch the video by scanning the QR code with your mobile device.
Activity
Watch the video, Hypotheses: Advancing Evidence Based Nursing Research [1:36] on YouTube, by research assistants Ime Stavinga and Katie Gregson (2026).
Note: If you are using a printed copy of this resource, watch the video by scanning the QR code with your mobile device.
Remixed from:
- An Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology by Valerie Shepard (2019), published by Justice Institute of British Columbia and BCcampus, using a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
-
- Chapter 18: Hypotheses (originally adapted from Chapter 5.2 in Principles of Sociological Inquiry, which was adapted by the Saylor Academy without attribution to the original authors or publisher, as requested by the licensor.)
Media Attributions
- Dr. Fehr [avatar] by Katie Gregson on Canva using Canva AI image creation https://www.canva.com/ai-assistant/
References
Gregson, K. & Stavinga, I. (2026, March 14). Independent vs Dependent Variables [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2RoTeAZi-A
Gregson, K. & Stavinga, I. (2026, March 10). Hypotheses: Advancing Evidence Based Nursing Research [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rts0sH2NIls&feature=youtu.be
Sheppard, V. (2020). 3.4 Hypotheses. In An Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology. BCcampus. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/researchmethods/chapter/3-4-hypotheses/
A micro-theory; a best guess or prediction about what one expects to find about the variable outlined in the study.
The variable the experimenter manipulates.
The variable the experimenter measures (it is the presumed effect).
A reasoning approach that tests hypotheses or applies existing theories to specific cases; it is theory-driven and confirmatory.
A statement that predicts no relationship or effect exists between the variables being studied. In nursing research, it serves as a baseline to test whether an intervention or factor actually influences the outcome.
A research approach that collects and analyzes numerical data to measure variables, test hypotheses, and identify patterns or relationships, focusing on how much or how often.
A research approach that explores experiences, meanings, and perspectives through non-numerical data, such as interviews, observations, or text, to understand why or how phenomena occur.