What type of statement expresses the anticipated relationship between variables?

The research hypothesis is a statement that articulates the expected relationship between two or more variables in a study. It is a predictive assertion that sets the foundation for research by outlining what the researcher anticipates will occur based on existing theory or evidence. For example, a researcher might hypothesize that an increase in exercise will lead to a decrease in weight. This hypothesis guides the research design and analysis, framing the investigation around testing its validity.

In contrast, a research question poses an inquiry to be explored rather than predicting a relationship, while a null hypothesis typically states that there is no relationship or effect between the variables, serving as a baseline to be tested. A statistical hypothesis relates specifically to the assumptions made about a population parameter and is often used in statistical tests but does not directly specify the anticipated relationship as clearly as a research hypothesis does.