A hypothesis in scientific research is a testable statement or prediction about how something works or the relationship between variables. It is typically based on prior knowledge, observations, or theories. Researchers formulate hypotheses to explain phenomena and guide their experiments. The hypothesis is then tested through experimentation or observation to determine whether the data supports or contradicts it.
A well-formed hypothesis usually has two main characteristics:
- Testability: It can be evaluated through experimentation or observation.
- Falsifiability: It can potentially be proven false, which means it must make predictions that can be disproven by evidence.
For example, a simple hypothesis might be: “If plants are exposed to more sunlight, then they will grow faster.” In this case, the variables are sunlight exposure and plant growth, and the hypothesis predicts a relationship between the two.