A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. It is a statement of expectation or prediction that will be tested by research. A hypothesis is an assumption or a tentative explanation for a specific process observed during research. The sole purpose of a hypothesis is to predict the findings, data, and conclusion of a research paper. When writing a hypothesis, you are essentially making an educated guess based on scientific prejudices and evidence, which is further proven or disproven through the scientific method.
To write a hypothesis, you should begin with a research question that you want to answer. The question should be focused, specific, and researchable within the constraints of your project. Your initial answer to the question should be based on what is already known about the topic. Look for theories and previous studies to help you form educated assumptions about what your research will find.
There are different types of hypotheses in research, including:
- Research Hypothesis: A hypothesis that is used to test the relationship between two or more variables.
- Null Hypothesis: A hypothesis that assumes there is no significant difference between two variables.
- Alternative Hypothesis: The opposite of the null hypothesis, which assumes that there is a significant difference between two variables.
- Experimental Hypothesis: A hypothesis that predicts what change(s) will take place in the dependent variable when the independent variable is manipulated.
A hypothesis should be precise, testable, and supported or rejected based on evidence.
