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             Following a well-defined research question the research investigators' task is to follow-up with a statement of a testable null hypothesis or hypotheses. The null form of the hypothesis is required in order for the proper application of a statistical data analysis tool to be implemented (Ohlson, 1998). More specifically, the null hypothesis informs the reader whether or not relationships, differences, and or effects between and amongst independent and or dependent variables are being investigated. Simply stating that an attempt to "confer" that an insulin deficiency might or might not affirm a "predisposition to complications" is not adhering to proper scientific research protocol (Van Dalen, 1964). Quite simply, the authors are obligated to state very specifically the direction they expected the results to take. In addition, as the study is quite clearly of experimental design wherein two treatment modalities are being assessed and evaluated the authors are compelled to identify both the independent (treatment) and dependent (measurement or end point) variables. There is no such identification made by the research investigators and the reader has to make the treatment-measurement assumption him or herself. Compounding this problem are the authors' statements under the Outcome Section of their report that several measurement variables, in addition to the primary measurement variable of death, were being used, ranging from length of stay, to days in intensive care, to amount of antibiotics, to polyneuropathy, to markers of inflammation. All such variables must be stated in secondary research and null hypothesis format. .

             As a side bar note it is important to acknowledge a secondary requirement for null hypothesis, namely, that null hypotheses permit the investigator to avoid having to explain that which did not happen, but permit an explanation as to that which did. This distinction might seem to be somewhat subtle; however, attempting to give credence to that which did not occur is akin to discussing the number of angles that can be placed on the head of a pin.