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In the academic environment, making assumptions is vital as the research statement of the problem when writing a project dissertation. Assumptions in an essay are those statements your audience will take as true or false. Today, we will be looking at making assumptions in research writing and errors to be avoided during this process.

 

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Formulation of assumptions is important in designing the objectives and problem statement of a project dissertation. Generally, an assumption in research  are an integral part of the research process since they give it direction and validity. This post focuses on how one should state assumptions in a research study, giving step-by-step instructions, illustrative examples, and tips on the common errors to avoid. Be it assumption creation for a thesis or assumption in qualitative research; by mastering this area, the research one pursues will stand a good chance of being valid and credible.

 

What is assumption in research?

In academic literature, assumption is conceptualized as unexamined belief, including what we think about without being aware. Popularly, assumptions are things that are accepted as true, or at least plausible, by researchers and peers who will read your dissertation or thesis  Most certainly, all research studies are implemented based on assumptions the writers have made about the study.

The concept of assumptions in research goes beyond mere uncritical beliefs. In the context of academic research, assumptions represent the bridge between existing knowledge and the uncharted lands we wish to discover. These assumptions are the fundamental propositions that researchers hold to be true without direct empirical evidence, as it enables the development of the research process to unfold effectively.

In every academic investigation, assumptions are the link between already established knowledge and new explorations. In explaining the concept of assumptions in research, one needs to recognize their role in guiding the formulation of hypotheses, methods, and conclusions. One of the common assumptions made in research is that respondents answer survey questions honestly.

Consider, for example, a common assumption in social science research: that people will respond honestly to survey items. Such an assumption underlies thousands of studies, but researchers must note its existence and potential import. In experimental sciences, it is often assumed that laboratory conditions are held constant over the course of an experiment, except in noted cases.

The Importance of Assumptions in a Thesis

Finding out the feasible assumptions that might come up in the readers’ minds is a critical task when writing a research paper. Assumptions definitely form the backbone of any sound and valid research work. In fact, problems of research cannot be defined without assumptions, since they provide the solutions that are going to be drawn from the research conducted.

This is very important, especially in writing a thesis.

Assumptions are important in demarcating the scope and limitations of research in the formulation of a doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis.

They help to set the parameters within which an investigation occurs and give a framework for the interpretation of findings.

Another assumption sometimes made in educational research is that students will attend regularly throughout the study period. This is especially important when the learning outcomes are being studied, or a new pedagogical intervention is introduced. While it may appear to be an assumption of great simplicity, its clear statement provides transparency about the context in which the research was carried out and possible limitations of the results.

Furthermore, assumptions in thesis research often overlap with the theoretical perspectives. When a researcher theoretically assumes certain positions, he or she implicitly accepts some assumptions regarding how phenomena work or how knowledge is created. These theoretical assumptions have to be spelled out so that one can understand the whole framework of the research.

How to Write Research Assumptions

Formulating research assumptions requires an in-depth understanding of the parameters and environment of the study. The following are the guidelines to develop impactful assumptions:

1. Identify Fundamental Principles: Ascertain the essential convictions upon which your research is based.
2. Justify Each Assumption: Explain why this assumption is necessary for the research process.
3. Use Explicit Language: Clarify the assumption in order to avoid any misunderstanding.

 

For example:

Context: This research examines behavior within the workplace.

Assumption: ‘Respondents will answer survey items honestly.’

Comprehending the process of formulating an assumption statement guarantees precision for your audience, while simultaneously reinforcing your research aims.

Check our other article more examples on writing out the Assumption Statements

Identifying Assumptions in research thesis

It is crucial to emphasize that the nature of the assumptions made will significantly influence the conclusions drawn from the research. Consequently, it is imperative to carefully evaluate the types of assumptions you adopt in your study.

What constitutes an appropriate assumption in a research?

It must be verifiable and justifiable. To formulate a sound assumption, one must not only present it but also elucidate and provide examples to substantiate the validity of the premise.

On the other hand, a false assumption is not easily verified nor justified. For instance, if one assumes that respondents will provide honest answers to the questions asked of them, it is necessary to explain the methods used to gather the information and to describe what steps will be taken to protect their identities so that their responses will be truthful.

Identification of assumptions requires both systematic scrutiny and rigorous reflection.

The scholar must have a systematic approach toward the uncovering of explicit and implicit assumptions in his or her research undertaking. This usually commences with an extensive literature review, whereby the common assumptions in the field become evident.

When identifying assumptions in research, consider the following checklist in making assumptions:

Methodological framework: Each of the different research methodologies puts forward its own inherent assumptions. Quantitative research usually assumes a normal distribution of data or independence of variables, while qualitative might assume that participants can remember and describe experiences accurately.

The contextual environment: Research conducted in specific contexts carries assumptions about the stability and generalizability of those settings. For example, research in organizations often assumes that company policies and structures remain stable enough over time to provide a reliable backdrop for the study.

Conceptual foundations: Each theoretical model comes with a unique set of presuppositions concerning the relationships between variables or the occurrence of phenomena. These theoretical assumptions need to be explicitly acknowledged and justified.

When learning how to make assumptions in research, one needs to take into account the methodology and theoretical framework.

For example, a key assumption in qualitative research is usually ‘narratives obtained from participants reflect their actual experiences.’ A quantitative study may assume ‘data follows a normal distribution

 

Assumptions and Hypotheses: Similarities and differences

Many people confuse an assumption with a hypothesis. While the latter two concepts do share certain characteristics, they are actually quite different. Below we enumerate two major similarities and differences between an assumption and thesis.

Similarities between assumption and thesis:

1. Both assumption and hypothesis can be proved and disapproved during the course of the research.
2. Like a thesis, an assumption must always be affirmative, never a question.

Differences between an assumption and a hypothesis:

1. Unlike an assumption, the researcher consciously works to prove the validity of the hypothesis used for the research.

2.An assumption is the starting point for the research work while a theory is the objective the study seeks to obtain.

The relation between assumptions and hypotheses goes beyond the basic similarities and differences noted. In practical applications, assumptions often help to formulate and test hypotheses. For example, when researchers state hypotheses about causal relations, they usually assume that other factors that might affect the results are being held constant or controlled.

Knowing this complex relationship helps scholars construct more rigorous studies. Hypotheses guide the course of research, producing testable predictions, while assumptions lay the basic groundwork for their testing. This interdependent relationship is all the more noticeable in experimental research, where controlled conditions rest on a myriad of assumptions about the stability of the environment and the reliability of measurements.

 

Is Premise and Assumption the same?

A premise is often defined as the starting assumption that arguments depend on “fly.” In other words, this means that sometimes an assumption is referred to as a premise in academic studies. To better understand, let us consider the following illustration:

1. All men are mortal;
2. Socrates is a man;
3. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Now, from the above example, it is clear that the first two statements are premises. Why are they assumptions? Because there is no effort to substantiate their validity, everyone just takes them as a reality. However, the last statement hinges upon the first two sentences; if those are wrong, it is wrong, and vice versa.

The relation between premises and assumptions does not stop at this basic example. In scholarly research, premises often play the role of logical connectors that link assumptions to conclusions. Let us consider a more complex research scenario in social psychology:

Premise 1: Human behavior is determined by social environment.

Premise 2: Social media forms a substantial portion of the modern-day social environment.

Assumption: The study participants behave in manners that manifest real-life social media influence.

Conclusion: Observed behavioral changes are due to exposure to social media.

This example illustrates the relation between premises and assumptions in the context of research design. Premises constitute the basic logical structure, whereas assumptions refer to doubts that can hardly be justified but are necessary nonetheless if the research is to proceed.

Types of Assumptions

There are two types of Assumptions when writing a research paper: directly stated assumption (explicit) or indirectly stated but implied (Implicitly). Therefore, whenever an assumption in research work is identified, look out for the two types.

In order to read well, that is, often one has to go beneath the surface of the text and read between the lines.

Example: Patricia stopped drinking soda The explicit assumption is “Patricia stopped drinking soda. “The implicit assumption is, “Patricia used to drink soda before. ”

Consider this other example: It is important to note that Patricia stopped drinking soda. The obvious inference to draw here is, “Patricia stopped drinking soda.” Here, the word “fortunately” indicates that the speaker has a positive view about this event – this is the tacit assumption.

Other than the basic classifications, research assumptions may also be further divided based on their roles and functions in the process of research. This helps a researcher to identify and address assumptions relevantly in their studies.

Methodological Assumptions: These refer to the chosen research methods and their appropriateness for the study. For instance, when relying on surveys, researchers often make methodological assumptions about the clarity of the questions and the ability of respondents to understand them accurately.

Theoretical assumptions: These constitute the theoretical perspective on which the study is based. In organizational research, one might assume that leadership styles have a significant effect on employee performance, based on well-grounded theoretical models.

Procedural Assumptions: These pertain to the actual research process. For instance, assumptions that lab equipment will remain calibrated throughout the experiment, or that interview conditions will remain reasonably stable across several interview sessions.

Examples of Assumptions in Academic Articles

Assumptions differ considerably across different research contexts. Here are a few examples:

1. Educational Research: ‘There will be regular attendance for students during the research period.’
2. Health Studies: ‘Participants take medication as prescribed.’

3.Organizational Research: ‘Company policies are not changed during data collection.’

The following are examples of typical assumptions in the research study and indicate the importance of stating such premises explicitly.

Common Assumptions in Research

Probably the most common assumption in any study is the one concerning the participants’ honesty in responding to the questions they are being asked. It is essential to highlight the fact that if the questions you ask the respondents are quite sensitive, it would be more appropriate to assume plausible honesty when compared to answering impersonal questions.

If the answer involves elements of subjectivity and concession, then it should be placed under the limitation of the study instead of an assumption. Also, the assumptions and limitations of the study should not be in contradiction to each other. One common assumption in studies is the homogeneity of participants in the study. Another concern that is common in studies is the extent of the representativeness that a sample size possesses regarding the population. The scope of common research assumptions widens to the inclusion of specific disciplinary paradigms.

In qualitative research, for example, researchers tend to hold assumptions about:

Data Saturation: A point where it is believed that further data collection would not add meaningfully new information, meaning the sample size is sufficient.

Transferability: the assumption that findings from one specific context can be meaningfully applied to similar contexts, taking due account of the limitations of such transfers.

In quantitative research, common assumptions often include:

Normal Distribution: The assumption that data is normally distributed—a very important assumption in doing statistical analysis.

Independence of Variables: The assumption that variables under study are genuinely independent from one another, except for the ones explicitly noted as dependent variables.

Temporal Stability: A condition in which the relation under study is relatively constant during the period of the study.

Writing Assumptions in Different Research Contexts

The process of writing assumptions varies significantly across different research contexts and methodologies. In case study research, for example, assumptions often center around the representativeness of the chosen case and the stability of observed phenomena. Researchers must carefully articulate these assumptions while acknowledging the unique characteristics of their chosen case.

In experimental research, assumptions usually refer to:

Control Variables: Researchers believe that they have identified and controlled for all relevant variables that may impact study results.

Environmental Stability: The assumption that laboratory or experimental conditions remain consistent throughout the study period.

Instrument Reliability: Assumptions about the accuracy of the measuring instruments and data collection tools.

 

Four Ways to do Assumptions in your research

As we have seen, no matter what kind of research is involved, assumptions are important to making that research successful. Since they play such an important role in research writing, reevaluation of those same assumptions often results in deciding that they are not accurate enough, so revising them would be better. Next, we consider four ways to handle assumptions in research writing.

1. Don’t change them; leave them as they are. Once you have examined the assumptions you have made in your research, you might consider retaining them. You will, however, be more confident of being right not to change them, if you consider both them and the available alternatives with care.
2. Spell them out more fully (make them explicit). After all, if an assumption goes into writing, there is probably little question in one’s mind that the assumption is what one believes ought to be done; however, the clarity of your research enterprise will benefit if you elaborate on the assumption a bit more fully, without providing exemplary support, of course.
3. Add evidence (making them supported claims) At this point you might be thinking that you have objections to our request for evidence. But it is something worth your consideration especially if you suspect that your readers will be likely to challenge one of the premises you have put forward, along with an example to back it up.
4. Rephrase the general claim. Sometimes you will discover, even after composing multiple drafts of support, that you have failed to convince yourself of the validity of the assumption you are presenting to your readers. If this occurs, it’s time to rephrase both the assumption and the sentence that depends upon it.

All of these approaches require careful consideration of the context of the research. When deciding whether assumptions can be retained in their original form, researchers need to consider the strength of the theoretical framework on which assumptions are based. For instance, in educational research, the assumption that student motivation affects learning outcomes might be so widely and deeply accepted as to require little justification.

The process of making assumptions explicit deserves particular attention in qualitative research. Researchers might assume that participants’ narratives reflect their genuine experiences and perspectives. This would then mean being open about possible biases and detailing measures taken to ensure that the collection of data is truly representative, such as member checking or triangulation methods.

Three Common Mistakes about making an assumption in research

When assessing an assumption, there are unavoidable errors to watch out for:

Mistake #1: The premise is invalid because it lacks proof. Many people make the error of stating that an assumption with no proof is bound to fail. However, if one looks at the definition of assumption, one will notice that a lack of proof is a key feature.

Mistake #2: I do not entirely agree because it is not known if it is true or not. One of the common misunderstandings about assumptions is that if we have no way of knowing if they are true or false, then we cannot call them assumptions because there is nothing to base an agreement or disagreement on. But the fact is that even if we do not know the proof for the assumption, we can still make a qualified guess and explain the reason for that guess.

Mistake #3: The assumption seems to be reasonable because of the evidence. Most people argue that an assumption which is proved by evidence becomes a reasonable one. However, the truth is that if your so-called assumption is based upon evidence, and the writer has tried to prove it, then it is no longer an assumption.

Beyond these three basic errors, there are other pitfalls that assumption writers often fall into:

Overextending assumptions: Sometimes, researchers go as far as making assumptions that reach beyond the scope of their study. For example, assuming that findings from a small-scale study can be generalized to all contexts without proper justification.

Confusing Assumptions with Hypotheses: While related, assumptions and hypotheses serve distinct purposes in research. Assumptions represent a point of departure for a research, whereas hypotheses tailor potential relationships for testing.

 

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