Failure? Think again: Why a rejected hypothesis is a win for science and education
Research has in fact, been a cultural imperative for the Philippine Educational System, serving as the way to meet academic requirements and contributed positively to society. In the national context, a thesis, mandatory for undergraduates, aims at solving societal and professional questions through data collection and analysis from assigned samples. It therefore goes through various processes such as the synthesis of gathered data to see if the outcome proves (or fails to prove) the proposed hypothesis. But does a rejected hypothesis mean a failed study? What is the true purpose of a research study?
Education constitutes the foundation for any nation's development and progress. The educational system in the Philippines, following a long-standing series of innovations and reforms, has incorporated research subjects into primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Research projects done by students investigating real-world issues allow students to apply theoretical knowledge and strengthen problem-solving skills. In this way, research at the high school level is the bridge that joins basic and higher education, ensuring that graduates possess the necessary competencies for academic and professional success. Moreover, though formal research projects are not a formal requirement of the elementary curriculum, some initiatives have been developed to nurture scientific inquiries among young learners. These programs, which further this aim, seek to develop scientifically literate citizens by enriching the science curriculum and promoting the use of inquiry-based learning approaches. Through these programs, students participate in activities that develop critical thinking and basic research skills, thereby providing foundations for more advanced research work in higher education. Given these developments, we see that research has been avowedly incorporated into the Philippine education system; however, there still exist myriad misconceptions pertaining to research.
In research, a hypothesis rejection is often seen as a failure. Many people, including students and new researchers and the public, think that if data do not support a hypothesis, the research has failed. This notion is misguided and falsifies the very nature of scientific knowledge and the purpose of hypothesis testing.
The hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction made before the conduction of data collection, guiding it and analysis. Research is a process with several steps that range from formulating hypotheses to analyzing the collected data to see if support the prediction. The hypothesis indicates the answer to a research query, but the questioning is the research itself.
It seems that professionals sometimes overlook the fact that research is an inquiry pursued to produce an answer. With that, a rejected hypothesis is far from a failed research study. A rejected hypothesis only means that the results did not align with the original prediction, but it does not imply research failure. Instead, it leads to new insights and directions for further study. The rejection of a hypothesis contributes to refining existing theories and knowledge. It provides clarity on what does not work, helping researchers—both nationally and globally—adjust their approach.
In research, a rejected hypothesis often leads to the formulation of new hypotheses and further investigations. Misinterpreting this as failure can hinder the elimination of biases and assumptions in hypothesis formulation—something research is meant to correct. Honest reporting of research findings, even when hypotheses are rejected, upholds scientific credibility and integrity.
Many discoveries come from very unlikely finds such as that of penicillin or X-rays. Famous examples of rejected hypotheses that resulted to something beneficial include Thomas Edison, who conducted endless experiments on light bulbs with only an unbroken string of failures, and Louis Pasteur, who worked on the Germ Theory, the theory of disease transmission and all the misconceptions regarding same that were addressed through the rejected hypotheses, leading ultimately to all modern microbiology.
A hypothesis should not be thought of as something that indicates a research failure when such is assessed; rather, it is an integral part of the scientific theme, confirming or denying knowledge, cleaning paths from biases, and paving the way for different discoveries. It provides the platform for understanding hypothesis testing in research, making it possible for the most productive and enlightening scientific inquiries to take place. It is a dismay of disappointments not in the rejection of a hypothesis but in the inability to learn from the results and move on. (Rosabelle S. Cubillas, Principal II, Mahay Integrated School)
Image Source:
Center for
Learning Enrichment and Research for Students (CLEARS) • Far Eastern University. (2024, October 15). Far Eastern University. https://www.feu.edu.ph/clears/
CSILKER holds 1st
Luzonwide SHS research congress – University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao. (2018, June 13). Usl.edu.ph. http://oldwebsite.usl.edu.ph/csilker-holds-1st-luzonwide-shs-research-congress/
References:
Faustino, J. B.,
& Daphne, A. (2012). Special Science Elementary School : Project and
Prospects for Gifted Education in the Philippines. Journal of Science
Education in Japan, 36(2), 131–141. https://doi.org/10.14935/jssej.36.131
Malbas, M. H.,
Tomarong, K., Felix Jr. Diano, & Frances, C. (2023). In Retrospect
and Prospect: An Analysis of the Philippine Educational System and the Impact
of K-12... ResearchGate; unknown. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376646444_In_Retrospect_and_Prospect_An_Analysis_of_the_Philippine_Educational_System_and_the_Impact_of_K-12_Implementation
Phuong, T., &
Tran, L. H. (2024). Uncovering the Challenges and Requirements of Elementary
School Teachers in Implementing STEM Educational Activities in Vietnam. International
Journal of Learning Teaching and Educational Research, 23(6),
373–390. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.6.17
Lobo, J. (2023). Students’ Challenges and Barriers in the Completion of an Undergraduate Thesis in the Case of A Premier Local College in the Philippines. International Journal of Disabilities Sports & Health Sciences, 6(1), 38–52. https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1230630
