TOPIC # 4 - Session 2 -DUE DATE February 23rd, 2023 -Forming a Good Hypothesis for Scientific Research
Formulating a Hypothesis
In many cases, researchers might draw a hypothesis from a specific theory or build on previous research. For example, prior research has shown that stress can impact the immune system. So a researcher might hypothesize: "People with high-stress levels will be more likely to contract a common cold after being exposed to the virus than people who have low-stress levels."
In other instances, researchers might look at commonly held beliefs or folk wisdom. "Birds of a feather flock together" is one example of folk wisdom that a psychologist might try to investigate. The researcher might pose a specific hypothesis that "People tend to select romantic partners who are similar to them in interests and educational level."
Elements of a Good Hypothesis
So how do you write a good hypothesis? When trying to come up with a hypothesis for your research or experiments, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your hypothesis based on your research on a topic?
- Can your hypothesis be tested?
- Does your hypothesis include independent and dependent variables?
Before you come up with a specific hypothesis, spend some time doing background research. Once you have completed a literature review, start thinking about potential questions you still have. Pay attention to the discussion section in the journal articles you read. Many authors will suggest questions that still need to be explored.
To form a hypothesis, you should take these steps:
- Collect as many observations about a topic or problem as you can.
- Evaluate these observations and look for possible causes of the problem.
- Create a list of possible explanations that you might want to explore.
- After you have developed some possible hypotheses, think of ways that you could confirm or disprove each hypothesis through experimentation. This is known as falsifiability.
Falsifiability
In the scientific method, falsifiability is an important part of any valid hypothesis.1 In order to test a claim scientifically, it must be possible that the claim could be proven false.
Students sometimes confuse the idea of falsifiability with the idea that it means that something is false, which is not the case. What falsifiability means is that if something was false, then it is possible to demonstrate that it is false.
One of the hallmarks of pseudoscience is that it makes claims that cannot be refuted or proven false.
Types of Hypotheses
The hypothesis you use will depend on what you are investigating and hoping to find. Some of the main types of hypotheses that you might use include:
- Simple hypothesis: This type of hypothesis suggests that there is a relationship between one independent variable and one dependent variable.
- Complex hypothesis: This type of hypothesis suggests a relationship between three or more variables, such as two independent variables and a dependent variable.
- Null hypothesis: This hypothesis suggests no relationship exists between two or more variables.
- Alternative hypothesis: This hypothesis states the opposite of the null hypothesis.
- Statistical hypothesis: This hypothesis uses statistical analysis to evaluate a representative sample of the population and then generalizes the findings to the larger group.
- Logical hypothesis: This hypothesis assumes a relationship between variables without collecting data or evidence.
Examples of Hypotheses
A hypothesis often follows a basic format of "If {this happens} then {this will happen}." One way to structure your hypothesis is to describe what will happen to the dependent variable if you change the independent variable.
The basic format might be: "If {these changes are made to a certain independent variable}, then we will observe {a change in a specific dependent variable}."
A few examples of simple hypotheses:
- "Students who eat breakfast will perform better on a math exam than students who do not eat breakfast."
- Complex hypothesis: "Students who experience test anxiety before an English exam will get lower scores than students who do not experience test anxiety."
- "Motorists who talk on the phone while driving will be more likely to make errors on a driving course than those who do not talk on the phone."
Examples of a complex hypothesis include:
- "People with high-sugar diets and sedentary activity levels are more likely to develop depression."
- "Younger people who are regularly exposed to green, outdoor areas have better subjective well-being than older adults who have limited exposure to green spaces."
Examples of a null hypothesis include:
- "Children who receive a new reading intervention will have scores different than students who do not receive the intervention."
- "There will be no difference in scores on a memory recall task between children and adults."
Examples of an alternative hypothesis:
- "Children who receive a new reading intervention will perform better than students who did not receive the intervention."
- "Adults will perform better on a memory task than children."
Takeaways
- TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS:
- Simple hypothesis: This type of hypothesis suggests that there is a relationship between one independent variable and one dependent variable.
- Complex hypothesis: This type of hypothesis suggests a relationship between three or more variables, such as two independent variables and a dependent variable.
- Null hypothesis: This hypothesis suggests no relationship exists between two or more variables.
- Alternative hypothesis: This hypothesis states the opposite of the null hypothesis.
- Statistical hypothesis: This hypothesis uses statistical analysis to evaluate a representative sample of the population and then generalizes the findings to the larger group.
- Logical hypothesis: This hypothesis assumes a relationship between variables without collecting data or evidence.
For example, a researcher might operationally define the variable "test anxiety" as the results of a self-report measure of anxiety experienced during an exam. A "study habits" variable might be defined by the amount of studying that actually occurs as measured by time.
Some variables are more difficult than others to define. How would you operationally define a variable such as aggression? For obvious ethical reasons, researchers cannot create a situation in which a person behaves aggressively toward others.
Hypothesis Checklist
- Does your hypothesis focus on something that you can actually test?
- Does your hypothesis include both an independent and dependent variable?
- Can you manipulate the variables?
- Can your hypothesis be tested without violating ethical standards?
For Your Review
- How is it called tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables?
- How is it called to a factor or element that can be changed and manipulated in ways that are observable and measurable?
- What 3 types of Hyphotesis?
- What is the type of hypothesis that suggests a relationship between three or more variables?
C) Post activity:
1) WRITE ON YOUR NOTEBOOK : THE KEY TAKE AWAY AND FOR YOUR REVIEW
2) Write a VOCABULARY: Individually Create your own NEW WORDS LIST for each SESSION - with definitions in English-
There is no limit on the Number of Words.
5. Include your RUBRIC - Remember: to do the CO - EVALUATION WITH A PARTNER
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