Students always deal with diverse types of assignments. Some of them are quite easy to prepare, while others require lots of time and effort. They continuously learn new things and face diverse terms while preparing academic papers. When it comes to scientific research, students need to get acquainted with the term “hypothesis statement.”
A good hypothesis statement is an essential part of any scientific research. It helps you introduce the research question and present the expected results of the experiment. Therefore, it’s vital to make the statement testable and ensure that it is based on existing theories and knowledge. Students need to know the main features of such statements in order to create a good project.
Those who are new to the scientific sphere may experience some issues while writing a hypothesis. This article will describe the main features of a good hypothesis statement and share some tips on how to write it in several steps.
Let’s start with the definition of the term and its main peculiarities that should be taken into consideration.
Generally speaking, a hypothesis is a statement that is a key part of the scientific project. It is based on previous knowledge and predicts the outcomes of your research. It has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods.
So, in reality, you put the things you already know into a statement that can be tested. Then, you do the research and prove that the observation is correct or wrong.
For example, let’s say you drink too much coffee and realize that it leads to insomnia. You see the connection and decide to find out if your idea is correct.
Then, you check the various academic studies on this topic. You find out that there’s a real connection between drinking lots of coffee and suffering from insomnia. Thus, based on the background research and your own lifestyle patterns, you may create a solid hypothesis:
“If you drink too much coffee, it may cause sleep problems.”
After that, you may conduct research that will prove your ideas and show how coffee leads to sleep disorders.
One of the other things that make students feel confused is the variety of types of such statements:
Each type has peculiarities. But let’s focus on two types: simple and complex hypotheses. Thus, a simple one predicts relations between single and dependant variables. Complex one predicts relations between two and more independent and dependant variables.
But what is a variable, and why is it essential when it comes to writing a hypothesis statement? When it comes to research, variables are viewed as any characteristics that can take on different values. For instance, height, age, species, or exam score.
There are two types of variables in the hypothesis: independent and dependent. The first one is something that researchers change or control. The second one is something that is observed and measured.
So, now it is clear what a hypothesis is and what to pay attention to when making one. But how to create a good statement that will lead to solid research? Check out these steps and learn some useful tips.
There’s no chance you create an outstanding statement from scratch. The best idea is to start with finding a research question you want to answer. It should be focused, researchable, and specific so that you can answer it throughout your project.
Note that the answer should be based on theories and previous studies. Thus, you also need to do preliminary research and find information related to the topic. Check multiple relevant and reliable sources to get as much data as possible.
As soon as you’ve collected enough information, think of the variables you will study and define the relationships between them.
When you have an idea of what you expect to find, it’s the right time to formulate a hypothesis. Try to create one as an if-then statement. Thus, the formula will be: “If you do something, then it will lead to such a result.”
For example, it could be something like:
If I drink less coffee, I will sleep better;
If I exercise regularly, I will lose weight and feel better;
If I study more, I will have better grades;
If I eat more healthy food, I will lose a few kilograms
It’s important to verify that your statement is specific and testable. Indeed, there are plenty of ways on how you can formulate your statement. Still, the main idea is to make it clear and concise. Check if:
the variables are relevant;
there’s a predicted outcome of the experiment;
there’s a possibility to prove that your hypothesis is true or false;
the results of the hypothesis could be reproduced again
Don’t forget to pay attention to variables when creating a hypothesis statement. It should contain both independent and dependent variables. The first one shows the factor that you are changing to produce results. The second one presents the idea you are testing.
If you omit any of the variables, you won’t be able to perform an experiment and prove a hypothesis. Thus, it means that your project will be useless.
When your statement is ready, verify that it is good enough by asking some questions:
Is your hypothesis clear and based on previous research?
Can you easily identify the variables? Do you have both independent and dependent ones? Are they clear and understandable?
Is your statement testable?
Do you have predictions for the outcome of your experiment?
Is it possible to reproduce the results of your statement again?
If you’ve answered “yes” to all the questions, it means that your hypothesis is good. It’s the right time to continue working on your project.
All in all, creating a good hypothesis could be quite a challenging task. Students need to understand the main peculiarities of such statements. It’s vital to pay attention to various details and spend lots of time on investigation.
To ensure that the experiment will go successfully, it’s important to check that the statement is clear and testable. Thus, students need to find out plenty of information about their topic to base the hypothesis on previous research. They need to create a statement that will include both independent and dependent variables.
Sometimes they may feel lost while trying to create a good hypothesis for their research. Luckily, they can ask for professional assistance and get help from top experts. In this case, they will have a chance to consult writers with years of experience. They will not only help them create a remarkable hypothesis but also offer some useful tips for the paper. Moreover, they will provide you with reliable sources that can be used in your project. Still, make sure you pick a trustworthy company that is ready to offer guarantees to the clients. Otherwise, you may just waste your time and money.
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