Help, I need advice4
Ross Woods, 2022
Help, I need advice. How can I explain the results obtained from my data analysis when more than 90% of my hypothesis is not supported? Could my dissertation to still be accepted even when the data does not support the theoretical foundation of the research? How can I address this?
[Based on a real case. Details changed and name omitted.]
I don't see a problem; in fact it might be a good thing. My thinking is this ...
Follow the data. What's the value in testing an hypothesis if it can't be wrong?
All the previous evidence pointed to your hypothesis being true. That's what your literature review led to, that's why you proposed it, and that's why your committee approved your proposal and let you run with it.
Now you have found out that it's not true, so you've discovered something new. The best discoveries are counterintuitive. It's significant exactly because it's unexpected. (Perhaps the confusion is the assumption that you must find your hypothesis correct.) Your finding is significant whether it's true or not (or a null hypothesis).
Your next step is to find out why the data led to that set of conclusions and suggest new hypotheses.