Deduction, Developing Research Questions and Generating Hypotheses
A hypothesis is a prediction about the outcome of a scientific investigation. Like all predictions, hypotheses are based on a person's observations and previous knowledge or experience.
In science, hypotheses must be testable. That means that researchers should be able to carry out an investigation and obtain evidence that shows whether the hypothesis is true or false. The way a hypothesis is written can outline a way to test it. Try to word each of your hypotheses in the form of an If ... then ... statement.
Researchers often frame hypotheses in terms of independent and dependent variables. Variables are things that we measure, control, or manipulate in research. A variable is an object, event, idea, feeling, time period, etc. Variables in science are mathematical tools that allow researchers to keep track of what is going on in a quantitative way. The terms dependent and independent variable apply mostly to experimental research where some variables are manipulated, and in this sense they are "independent" from the initial reaction patterns, features, intentions, etc. of the subjects.
The Independent Variable is a variable that stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure (examples of IVs are: age, gender, marital status, allele (gene variant). Independent Variables are manipulated. When you are looking for some kind of relationship between variables you are trying to see if the independent variable causes some kind of change in the other variables, or dependent variables.
The dependent variable is something that depends on other factors. It can change under different conditions. Dependent variables are measured. A question often asked is "What makes the dependent variable change the way it does?"
Useful tool: Insert your variables into the following sentence (only one way will make sense!)
(Independent variable) causes a change in (Dependent Variable) and it isn't possible that (dependent Variable could cause a change in (Independent Variable).
For example:
(Size, duration of mating display) causes a change in (degree of commitment, availablitity) and it isn't possible that (degree of cmmitment, availability) could cause a change in (size, duration of mating display).
Tips for Developing Hypotheses
- Ideas for hypotheses often result from problems that have been identified or questions that have been raised. Write down several questions about the topic. Try to narrow the questions to one that can be investigated scientifically. then write the hypothesis.
- Make sure the hypothesis is a prediction.
- Make sure the hypothesis can be tested through an investigation.
- Check the way you worded the hypothesis. A properly worded hypothesis should take the form of an If ... then ... statement.
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/help/user_guide/graph/variables.asp
The following links will be helpful to you in developing your hypotheses and generating logical, scientific arguments:
Developing logical scientific arguments: undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_07
Competing ideas and the provisional nature of scientific inquiry: undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_11
Defining hypotheses and theories: undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_19
Slide show on hypothesis development:
www.wou.edu/~fosterd/psy301/Lectures/DevelopingHypotheses.ppt#256,1,Developing Hypotheses
Deduction, Developing research questions, Hypothesis formation – the following links will help you to better understand the nature of scientific inquiry, to begin to structure and develop research questions and finally, to generate hypotheses that can serve an organizing function for your literature review. I suggest that you read them in the order given.
Deduction: sahs.utmb.edu/pellinore/intro_to_research/wad/deductio.htm
Developing research questions: sahs.utmb.edu/pellinore/intro_to_research/wad/res_ques.htm
Hypothesis formation: sahs.utmb.edu/pellinore/intro_to_research/wad/vars_hyp.htm