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What is a Hypothesis – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

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Definition:

Hypothesis is an educated guess or proposed explanation for a phenomenon, based on some initial observations or data. It is a tentative statement that can be tested and potentially proven or disproven through further investigation and experimentation.

Hypothesis is often used in scientific research to guide the design of experiments and the collection and analysis of data. It is an essential element of the scientific method, as it allows researchers to make predictions about the outcome of their experiments and to test those predictions to determine their accuracy.

Types of Hypothesis

Types of Hypothesis are as follows:

Research Hypothesis

A research hypothesis is a statement that predicts a relationship between variables. It is usually formulated as a specific statement that can be tested through research, and it is often used in scientific research to guide the design of experiments.

Null Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is a statement that assumes there is no significant difference or relationship between variables. It is often used as a starting point for testing the research hypothesis, and if the results of the study reject the null hypothesis, it suggests that there is a significant difference or relationship between variables.

Alternative Hypothesis

An alternative hypothesis is a statement that assumes there is a significant difference or relationship between variables. It is often used as an alternative to the null hypothesis and is tested against the null hypothesis to determine which statement is more accurate.

Directional Hypothesis

A directional hypothesis is a statement that predicts the direction of the relationship between variables. For example, a researcher might predict that increasing the amount of exercise will result in a decrease in body weight.

Non-directional Hypothesis

A non-directional hypothesis is a statement that predicts the relationship between variables but does not specify the direction. For example, a researcher might predict that there is a relationship between the amount of exercise and body weight, but they do not specify whether increasing or decreasing exercise will affect body weight.

Statistical Hypothesis

A statistical hypothesis is a statement that assumes a particular statistical model or distribution for the data. It is often used in statistical analysis to test the significance of a particular result.

Composite Hypothesis

A composite hypothesis is a statement that assumes more than one condition or outcome. It can be divided into several sub-hypotheses, each of which represents a different possible outcome.

Empirical Hypothesis

An empirical hypothesis is a statement that is based on observed phenomena or data. It is often used in scientific research to develop theories or models that explain the observed phenomena.

Simple Hypothesis

A simple hypothesis is a statement that assumes only one outcome or condition. It is often used in scientific research to test a single variable or factor.

Complex Hypothesis

A complex hypothesis is a statement that assumes multiple outcomes or conditions. It is often used in scientific research to test the effects of multiple variables or factors on a particular outcome.

Applications of Hypothesis

Hypotheses are used in various fields to guide research and make predictions about the outcomes of experiments or observations. Here are some examples of how hypotheses are applied in different fields:

• Science : In scientific research, hypotheses are used to test the validity of theories and models that explain natural phenomena. For example, a hypothesis might be formulated to test the effects of a particular variable on a natural system, such as the effects of climate change on an ecosystem.
• Medicine : In medical research, hypotheses are used to test the effectiveness of treatments and therapies for specific conditions. For example, a hypothesis might be formulated to test the effects of a new drug on a particular disease.
• Psychology : In psychology, hypotheses are used to test theories and models of human behavior and cognition. For example, a hypothesis might be formulated to test the effects of a particular stimulus on the brain or behavior.
• Sociology : In sociology, hypotheses are used to test theories and models of social phenomena, such as the effects of social structures or institutions on human behavior. For example, a hypothesis might be formulated to test the effects of income inequality on crime rates.
• Business : In business research, hypotheses are used to test the validity of theories and models that explain business phenomena, such as consumer behavior or market trends. For example, a hypothesis might be formulated to test the effects of a new marketing campaign on consumer buying behavior.
• Engineering : In engineering, hypotheses are used to test the effectiveness of new technologies or designs. For example, a hypothesis might be formulated to test the efficiency of a new solar panel design.

How to write a Hypothesis

Here are the steps to follow when writing a hypothesis:

Identify the Research Question

The first step is to identify the research question that you want to answer through your study. This question should be clear, specific, and focused. It should be something that can be investigated empirically and that has some relevance or significance in the field.

Conduct a Literature Review

Before writing your hypothesis, it’s essential to conduct a thorough literature review to understand what is already known about the topic. This will help you to identify the research gap and formulate a hypothesis that builds on existing knowledge.

Determine the Variables

The next step is to identify the variables involved in the research question. A variable is any characteristic or factor that can vary or change. There are two types of variables: independent and dependent. The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or changed by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the one that is measured or observed as a result of the independent variable.

Formulate the Hypothesis

Based on the research question and the variables involved, you can now formulate your hypothesis. A hypothesis should be a clear and concise statement that predicts the relationship between the variables. It should be testable through empirical research and based on existing theory or evidence.

Write the Null Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is the opposite of the alternative hypothesis, which is the hypothesis that you are testing. The null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference or relationship between the variables. It is important to write the null hypothesis because it allows you to compare your results with what would be expected by chance.

Refine the Hypothesis

After formulating the hypothesis, it’s important to refine it and make it more precise. This may involve clarifying the variables, specifying the direction of the relationship, or making the hypothesis more testable.

Examples of Hypothesis

Here are a few examples of hypotheses in different fields:

• Psychology : “Increased exposure to violent video games leads to increased aggressive behavior in adolescents.”
• Biology : “Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will lead to increased plant growth.”
• Sociology : “Individuals who grow up in households with higher socioeconomic status will have higher levels of education and income as adults.”
• Education : “Implementing a new teaching method will result in higher student achievement scores.”
• Marketing : “Customers who receive a personalized email will be more likely to make a purchase than those who receive a generic email.”
• Physics : “An increase in temperature will cause an increase in the volume of a gas, assuming all other variables remain constant.”
• Medicine : “Consuming a diet high in saturated fats will increase the risk of developing heart disease.”

Purpose of Hypothesis

The purpose of a hypothesis is to provide a testable explanation for an observed phenomenon or a prediction of a future outcome based on existing knowledge or theories. A hypothesis is an essential part of the scientific method and helps to guide the research process by providing a clear focus for investigation. It enables scientists to design experiments or studies to gather evidence and data that can support or refute the proposed explanation or prediction.

The formulation of a hypothesis is based on existing knowledge, observations, and theories, and it should be specific, testable, and falsifiable. A specific hypothesis helps to define the research question, which is important in the research process as it guides the selection of an appropriate research design and methodology. Testability of the hypothesis means that it can be proven or disproven through empirical data collection and analysis. Falsifiability means that the hypothesis should be formulated in such a way that it can be proven wrong if it is incorrect.

In addition to guiding the research process, the testing of hypotheses can lead to new discoveries and advancements in scientific knowledge. When a hypothesis is supported by the data, it can be used to develop new theories or models to explain the observed phenomenon. When a hypothesis is not supported by the data, it can help to refine existing theories or prompt the development of new hypotheses to explain the phenomenon.

When to use Hypothesis

Here are some common situations in which hypotheses are used:

• In scientific research , hypotheses are used to guide the design of experiments and to help researchers make predictions about the outcomes of those experiments.
• In social science research , hypotheses are used to test theories about human behavior, social relationships, and other phenomena.
• I n business , hypotheses can be used to guide decisions about marketing, product development, and other areas. For example, a hypothesis might be that a new product will sell well in a particular market, and this hypothesis can be tested through market research.

Characteristics of Hypothesis

Here are some common characteristics of a hypothesis:

• Testable : A hypothesis must be able to be tested through observation or experimentation. This means that it must be possible to collect data that will either support or refute the hypothesis.
• Falsifiable : A hypothesis must be able to be proven false if it is not supported by the data. If a hypothesis cannot be falsified, then it is not a scientific hypothesis.
• Clear and concise : A hypothesis should be stated in a clear and concise manner so that it can be easily understood and tested.
• Based on existing knowledge : A hypothesis should be based on existing knowledge and research in the field. It should not be based on personal beliefs or opinions.
• Specific : A hypothesis should be specific in terms of the variables being tested and the predicted outcome. This will help to ensure that the research is focused and well-designed.
• Tentative: A hypothesis is a tentative statement or assumption that requires further testing and evidence to be confirmed or refuted. It is not a final conclusion or assertion.
• Relevant : A hypothesis should be relevant to the research question or problem being studied. It should address a gap in knowledge or provide a new perspective on the issue.

Advantages of Hypothesis

Hypotheses have several advantages in scientific research and experimentation:

• Guides research: A hypothesis provides a clear and specific direction for research. It helps to focus the research question, select appropriate methods and variables, and interpret the results.
• Predictive powe r: A hypothesis makes predictions about the outcome of research, which can be tested through experimentation. This allows researchers to evaluate the validity of the hypothesis and make new discoveries.
• Facilitates communication: A hypothesis provides a common language and framework for scientists to communicate with one another about their research. This helps to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promotes collaboration.
• Efficient use of resources: A hypothesis helps researchers to use their time, resources, and funding efficiently by directing them towards specific research questions and methods that are most likely to yield results.
• Provides a basis for further research: A hypothesis that is supported by data provides a basis for further research and exploration. It can lead to new hypotheses, theories, and discoveries.
• Increases objectivity: A hypothesis can help to increase objectivity in research by providing a clear and specific framework for testing and interpreting results. This can reduce bias and increase the reliability of research findings.

Limitations of Hypothesis

Some Limitations of the Hypothesis are as follows:

• Limited to observable phenomena: Hypotheses are limited to observable phenomena and cannot account for unobservable or intangible factors. This means that some research questions may not be amenable to hypothesis testing.
• May be inaccurate or incomplete: Hypotheses are based on existing knowledge and research, which may be incomplete or inaccurate. This can lead to flawed hypotheses and erroneous conclusions.
• May be biased: Hypotheses may be biased by the researcher’s own beliefs, values, or assumptions. This can lead to selective interpretation of data and a lack of objectivity in research.
• Cannot prove causation: A hypothesis can only show a correlation between variables, but it cannot prove causation. This requires further experimentation and analysis.
• Limited to specific contexts: Hypotheses are limited to specific contexts and may not be generalizable to other situations or populations. This means that results may not be applicable in other contexts or may require further testing.
• May be affected by chance : Hypotheses may be affected by chance or random variation, which can obscure or distort the true relationship between variables.

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How to Propose a Formal Hypothesis

Sara mahuron.

Students begin learning the basics of scientific research at a young age helping to prepare them for the day when they will be asked to form their own hypothesis for research. While this is realized for people differently and at different levels, the basic process remains the same. A hypothesis is proposed as a testable statement someone wishes to research. The significance of research papers, whether an informal paper, or a student's college thesis or dissertation, are often at the mercy of the hypothesis. This makes proposing the formal hypothesis statement an important part of the overall research project.

Conduct a literature review on the topic you are interested in researching. A hypothesis needs to be theoretically grounded in existing research unless you are researching something for which there is not existing research. A literature review should be comprehensive and include an analysis of varying conclusion and research findings related to your topic.

Write down questions or correlations you find in the literature review that interest you in research. A hypothesis requires a proposed relationship between two variables. Informal questions or correlations can be the basis for a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a statement that predicts a relationship exists or doesn't exist.

Identify the two variables in your question. Label which one is the independent variable and which one is the dependent variable. The independent variable must cause some change in the dependent variable. For example, if you are interested in studying the relationship between soil nutrients and plants, you might propose that your independent variable -- soil nutrients -- causes your dependent variable -- plant growth -- to either grow better or worse. The direction of the relationship between the two variables is determined by which variable is independent and which one is dependent.

Write your hypothesis statement. The statement is a prediction of what you think will happen between the variables. This statement needs to be clear and concise, and written in a fashion that can be tested. The two common types of hypothesis statements are the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis. The null hypothesis is used when no relationship is expected. An example of a null hypothesis is, "There is no difference in plant growth between those that do and do not receive soil nutrients." The alternative hypothesis is used when a relationship is expected. An example of an alternative hypothesis is, "Plants who receive soil nutrients will grow better than those that do not."

Ask your peers and faculty for feedback on your hypothesis statement. Make sure it is clearly communicated to others, and make any corrections you feel are warranted after reviewing the feedback.

• 1 Emory University; The Elements of a Proposal; Frank Pajares
• 2 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: Generating a Research Proposal

About the Author

Sara Mahuron specializes in adult/higher education, parenting, budget travel and personal finance. She earned an M.S. in adult/organizational learning and leadership, as well as an Ed.S. in educational leadership, both from the University of Idaho. Mahuron also holds a B.S. in psychology and a B.A. in international studies-business and economics.

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Definition of 'hypothesis'

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hypothesis in British English

Hypothesis in american english, examples of 'hypothesis' in a sentence hypothesis, cobuild collocations hypothesis, trends of hypothesis.

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In other languages hypothesis

• American English : hypothesis / haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs /
• Brazilian Portuguese : hipótese
• Chinese : 假设
• European Spanish : hipótesis
• French : hypothèse
• German : Hypothese
• Italian : ipotesi
• Japanese : 仮説
• Korean : 가설
• European Portuguese : hipótese
• Latin American Spanish : hipótesis
• Thai : สมมุติฐาน

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• Plural of Hypothesis | Definition, Spelling & Examples

Plural of Hypothesis | Definition, Spelling & Examples

Published on October 3, 2024 by Ryan Cove .

The plural of “hypothesis” is hypotheses , pronounced [hahy- poth -uh-seez].

“Hypothesis” is a Greek-derived irregular plural noun that follows Greek pluralization rules. Instead of following the common pluralization rules of English, where you simply add “ -s ” or “ -es ” to the end of the word, Greek-derived words ending in “ -is ” are made plural by changing the “ -is ” to “ -es .”

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Hypothesis vs. hypotheses, what is an irregular plural noun, frequently asked questions about the plural of hypothesis.

A hypothesis is an assumption or explanation based on limited evidence and the starting point for further experimentation. It is a testable statement that predicts a possible outcome or relationship between variables in scientific research.

Hypotheses is the plural word of “hypothesis” and refers to multiple explanations or assumptions that are to be tested in a scientific way.

People sometimes mistakenly use “hypothesises” as the plural of “hypothesis,” but that is incorrect. The word “hypothesis” is an irregular plural noun, meaning it doesn’t follow the regular rules of pluralizing by simply adding “ -s ” or “ -es ” to the end of the noun (e.g., dog/dogs or wish/wishes ).

Instead, “hypothesis” follows Greek pluralization rules and changes the “ -is ” at the end of the singular form to “ -es ” to form the plural (e.g., diagnosis/diagnoses or crisis/crises ).

“Hypothesis” happens to be a Greek-derived irregular plural, but there are irregular plurals that are derived from other languages such as Latin (e.g., stimulus/stimuli ), Old English (e.g., man/men ), and Dutch (e.g., hoof/hooves ).

Another type of irregular plural is called zero plurals . This is a noun that remains the same in both the singular and plural forms.

Yes, hypothesis is a word. It refers to an assumption or explanation based on limited evidence and is the starting point for further experimentation.

The plural of hypothesis is hypotheses .

Scribbr’s free Grammar Checker can help ensure all your words are correct no matter what you’re writing.

Some synonyms for the word “hypothesis” include:

• Presumption
• Supposition

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool will help you easily find synonyms for any word you use in your writing.

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Cove, R. (2024, October 03). Plural of Hypothesis | Definition, Spelling & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved October 8, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/plurals/hypothesis-plural/

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