Researchers wanted to determine if there was an association between daily apple consumption
Published on May 6, 2022 by Shona McCombes. A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your
experiment or data collection. Example: Hypothesis Daily apple consumption leads to fewer doctor’s visits. A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research question that 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 theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research
methods (such as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of data). Hypotheses propose a relationship between two or more variables. An independent variable is something the researcher changes or controls. A
dependent variable is something the researcher observes and measures. Example: Hypothesis In this example, the independent variable is exposure to the sun – the assumed cause. The dependent variable is the level of happiness – the assumed effect. Developing a hypothesis (with example)Step 1. Ask a questionWriting 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. Example: Research question Step 2. Do some preliminary researchYour 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. At this stage, you might construct a conceptual framework to identify which variables you will study and what you think the relationships are between them. Sometimes, you’ll have to operationalise more complex constructs. Step 3. Formulate your hypothesisNow you should have some idea of what you expect to find. Write your initial answer to the question in a clear, concise sentence. Attending more lectures leads to better exam results. 4. Refine your hypothesisYou need to make sure your hypothesis is specific and testable. There are various ways of phrasing a hypothesis, but all the terms you use should have clear definitions, and the hypothesis should contain:
5. Phrase your hypothesis in three waysTo identify the variables, you can write a simple prediction in if…then form. The first part of the sentence states the independent variable and the second part states the dependent variable. If a first-year student starts attending more lectures, then their exam scores will improve. In academic research, hypotheses are more commonly phrased in terms of correlations or effects, where you directly state the predicted relationship between variables. The number of lectures attended by first-year students has a positive effect on their exam scores. If you are comparing two groups, the hypothesis can state what difference you expect to find between them. First-year students who attended most lectures will have better exam scores than those who attended few lectures. 6. Write a null hypothesisIf your research involves statistical hypothesis testing, you will also have to write a null hypothesis. The null hypothesis is the default position that there is no association between the variables. The null hypothesis is written as H0, while the alternative hypothesis is H1 or Ha. H0:
The number of lectures attended by first-year students has no effect on their final exam scores. Hypothesis examples
Frequently asked questions about writing hypothesesWhat is a hypothesis? A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research question that 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 theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of data). Sources in this articleWe strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below. This Scribbr article
Is this article helpful?You have already voted. Thanks :-) Your vote is saved :-) Processing your vote... Is the response variable qualitative or quantitative?The response variable is the number of individuals who participate in the study. The response variable is quantitative.
Which allows the researcher to claim causation between an explanatory variable and a response variable?A designed experiment allows the researcher to claim causation between an explanatory variable and a response variable.
What does it mean for the experiment to be randomized quizlet?Randomized experiment. A research design in which individuals are randomly assigned to the various levels of the independent variable.
What is a designed experiment quizlet?Designed Experiment. if a researcher assigns the individuals in a study to a certain group, intentionally changes the value of the explanatory variable, and then records the value of the response variable for each group, the researcher is conducting a designed experiment.
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