Developing a Hypothesis for an Investigation
Understanding the Hypothesis:
- A hypothesis is a statement that proposes the answer or outcome of an investigation. It is derived from your initial observations and research.
- It is not a random guess; rather, it is a predictive statement based on scientific principles and past work.
- It should be focused on a specific relationship between variables.
- The 'null hypothesis' simply states that there isn't a meaningful relationship between the variables.
Developing the Hypothesis:
- Start with a clear and specific scientific question you want to answer through your investigation.
- Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the existing knowledge about the subject.
- Outline the variables in your investigation. There should be a dependent variable (the one you measure or observe changing) and an independent variable (the one you manipulate to create change).
- Develop a supposition about what you expect will happen when you manipulate the independent variable.
- Make sure your hypothesis is testable. It should be possible to prove it true or false through the experiment.
- Your hypothesis should be expressed in a way that it can be clearly measured.
Refining the Hypothesis:
- Refine your hypothesis so that it is focused, concise, and nominalizes your prediction.
- Use precise language and terms. Vague terminologies provide opportunities for misinterpretations.
- An effective hypothesis should be useful, i.e., has significance for the field of study and has potential practical applications.
- It should be falsifiable, meaning there should be a possible negative answer to your hypothesis.
- Lastly, your hypothesis should tell a true story, meaning it should be logical and entail a clear idea of what is supposed to be tested.
Remember, formulating a hypothesis is just the first step towards scientific investigation. The true skill and excitement come in using smart experiments to prove or disprove it!