You’ve started a new research project and have an idea for the topic you want to explore. Now comes the hard part: writing a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two variables. The purpose of a hypothesis is to generate new questions and predict outcomes that can be tested through experimentation or observation.
Writing a solid hypothesis is critical to any scientific experiment or research project. It is the statement that serves as the foundation for any scientific research. But how do you write an excellent hypothesis? Crafting a research hypothesis can be challenging for many students, but it doesn’t have to be.
This article walks you through the steps and examples of how to write a strong hypothesis. And if you are overwhelmed by assignments and need an expert to “write my research paper for me,” you can get professional help at studybay.com.
Variables in Hypotheses
A hypothesis predicts how two or more variables may be related and allows for further exploration and testing. It must have at least one independent variable and one dependent variable.
The independent variable is the factor that the researcher manipulates to observe the effect on the dependent variable. On the other hand, a dependent variable is a factor whose values are affected by the changes in the independent variable.
Example hypothesis: Increasing the amount of physical exercise for children improves academic performance.
- Independent variable: Physical exercise
- Dependent variable: Academic performance
Formulation of Research Hypothesis
Below is a step-by-step guide on formulating a research hypothesis
Step 1. Ask a Question
The first step in formulating a research hypothesis is to ask a question about a topic that interests you. This question should be specific and focused and address a gap in the existing knowledge or understanding of the topic.
Example of a research question: “Does the use of technology in the classroom improve student learning outcomes?”
Step 2. Do Some Preliminary Research
Once you have the research question, you need to conduct the initial research to gain knowledge on the topic. Whether pursuing natural sciences, business, and law, among other disciplines, you need to conduct preliminary research to understand the topic. The research can involve reviewing existing literature, exploring online resources, or interviewing experts in the field.
As you conduct research, you will identify theories and potential relationships between variables and inform the development of the hypothesis. You can also create a conceptual framework to follow throughout the research.
The initial research is thorough and unbiased so that you can craft a valid and reasonable hypothesis. Additionally, it is vital to identify the limitations of the existing research and how you can address them in your study. Once the preliminary research is complete, you are in a better position to craft a hypothesis that accurately reflects the research topic.
Step 3. Formulate Your Hypothesis
Once you clearly understand your research question and the relevant literature, you can formulate your hypothesis. The hypothesis should be a concise and testable prediction about the relationship between the two variables in your research question. The initial answer to your research question should provide
Example: Hypothesis
Using technology in the elementary school classroom improves student learning outcomes
Step 4. Refine Your Hypothesis
It is critical to refine your hypothesis and ensure it’s concise and testable before proceeding with the study. You want to be sure it has the independent and dependent variables, the group under study, and the expected research outcome.
Example: Hypothesis: The use of technology in the elementary school classroom improves student learning outcomes.
- The independent variable is technology
- Dependent variable – learning outcomes
- The group under study – elementary school students
Step 5. Phrase Your Hypothesis in Three Ways
Stating your hypothesis makes it easy to identify the dependent and independent variables. For example, starting a hypothesis with “If…” puts the independent variable first, and the dependent variable follows.
Example: Hypothesis
If elementary school students use technology in the classroom, their learning outcomes will improve.
You can also use correlation to directly predict the relationship or the effect you expect between the variables.
Example: The use of technology in the classroom positively impacts student learning outcomes.
Also, you can state the difference you expect to find between two groups within the target population.
Example: Elementary school students who use technology in the classroom have better learning outcomes than those who don’t.
Step 6. Write a Null Hypothesis
If your research requires statistical hypothesis testing, you need to include a null hypothesis. A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no relationship between the variables being studied. For example, in the case of our research question about the use of technology in the classroom, the null hypothesis might be:
Example: Hypothesis
There is no significant relationship between the use of technology in the elementary school classroom and student learning outcomes.
What Can Proofreading Do for Your Paper?
Proofreading is an integral part of the writing process that can significantly improve the quality of your paper. It can help you catch any spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure errors you may have missed while writing. Also, proofreading can help you improve clarity and readability and identify any areas of content that may need further development.
Additionally proofreading ensures that your paper follows the formatting guidelines for by your professor. By taking the time to proofread your paper, you can ensure that your writing is of the highest quality and effectively conveys your message. Better still, you can hire an expert to proofread and edit your paper before submission.
Hypothesis Examples
Below are hypothesis examples.
| Research Question | Hypothesis | Null Hypothesis |
| Does the amount of sleep a person gets affect their academic performance? | The more sleep a person gets, the better their academic performance. | The amount of sleep a person gets does not affect their academic performance. |
| Does exercising daily increase weight loss? | There is a positive relationship between daily exercise and weight loss. | There is no relationship between daily exercise and weight loss. |
| Does a vegetarian diet lead to weight loss in obese individuals? | A vegetarian diet leads to weight loss in obese individuals. | A vegetarian diet does not lead to weight loss in obese individuals. |
| Does access to mental health services reduce the incidence of anxiety and depression in college students? | Providing access to mental health services will reduce the incidence of anxiety and depression in college students. | Access to mental health services does not affect the incidence of anxiety and depression in college students. |
| Does increasing positive reinforcement in the workplace improve employee productivity and satisfaction? | Increasing the frequency of positive reinforcement in the workplace improves employee productivity and satisfaction. | Increasing the frequency of positive reinforcement in the workplace does not improve employee productivity and satisfaction. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Hypotheses
What Is the Hypothesis of a Research Paper?
The hypothesis of a research paper is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables. It guides the direction of the research and helps the researcher to answer a specific research question.
What Is Hypothesis Testing?
Hypothesis testing is a statistical procedure used to determine whether a hypothesis about a population parameter is true or false. It involves comparing the observed data to the expected data based on the hypothesis.
What Are Null and Alternative Hypotheses?
The null hypothesis (H0) is a statement that asserts that there is no relationship between two variables. On the other hand, the alternative hypothesis (H1) is a statement that claims that there is a relationship between two variables.
