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- scientific hypothesis, an idea that proposes a tentative explanation about a phenomenon or a narrow set of phenomena observed in the natural world.
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Apr 24, 2024 · A scientific hypothesis is an idea that proposes a tentative explanation for a natural phenomenon, based on existing knowledge, intuition, or experience. It is falsifiable and testable, and can be supported or refuted by observation and experimentation.
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A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research questionthat has not yet been tested. For some research projects, you might have to write several hypotheses that address different aspects of your research question. A hypothesis is not just a guess – it should be based on existing th...
Step 1. Ask a question
Writing a hypothesis begins with a research question that you want to answer. The question should be focused, specific, and researchable within the constraints of your project.
Step 2. Do some preliminary research
Your initial answer to the question should be based on what is already known about the topic. Look for theories and previous studiesto help you form educated assumptions about what your research will find. At this stage, you might construct a conceptual framework to ensure that you’re embarking on a relevant topic. This can also help you identify which variables you will study and what you think the relationships are between them. Sometimes, you’ll have to operationalizemore complex constructs.
Step 3. Formulate your hypothesis
Now you should have some idea of what you expect to find. Write your initial answer to the question in a clear, concise sentence.
If you want to know more about the research process, methodology, research bias, or statistics, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. Learn how to write a hypothesis for your research project, including variables, types, and examples.
Dec 10, 2019 · A hypothesis is a prediction or explanation that is tested by an experiment. Learn how to write a hypothesis in the if-then format, and the difference between null and alternative hypotheses.
- Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Jan 19, 2022 · The basic idea of a hypothesis is that there is no predetermined outcome. For a solution to be termed a scientific hypothesis, it has to be an idea that can be supported or refuted...
A hypothesis ( pl.: hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. For a hypothesis to be a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it. Scientists generally base scientific hypotheses on previous observations that cannot satisfactorily be explained with the available scientific theories.
Learn how to use the scientific method to test hypotheses in biology and other sciences. A hypothesis is a potential answer to a question that can be tested by making predictions and observations.
