Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Facebook
Pinterest
LinkedIn
YouTube
WeChat
x
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
Language Editing Services by Elsevier Author Services
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • English
What is and How to Write a Good Hypothesis in Research?
  • Manuscript Preparation

What is and How to Write a Good Hypothesis in Research?

  • 4 minute read
  • 64.3K views
Total
11
Shares
11
0
0
0
0

Table of Contents

  • What is a Hypothesis in Research?
  • Research Question vs Hypothesis
  • How to Write Hypothesis in Research
    • Research Hypothesis Example

One of the most important aspects of conducting research is constructing a strong hypothesis. But what makes a hypothesis in research effective? In this article, we’ll look at the difference between a hypothesis and a research question, as well as the elements of a good hypothesis in research. We’ll also include some examples of effective hypotheses, and what pitfalls to avoid.

What is a Hypothesis in Research?

Simply put, a hypothesis is a research question that also includes the predicted or expected result of the research. Without a hypothesis, there can be no basis for a scientific or research experiment. As such, it is critical that you carefully construct your hypothesis by being deliberate and thorough, even before you set pen to paper. Unless your hypothesis is clearly and carefully constructed, any flaw can have an adverse, and even grave, effect on the quality of your experiment and its subsequent results.

Research Question vs Hypothesis

It’s easy to confuse research questions with hypotheses, and vice versa. While they’re both critical to the Scientific Method, they have very specific differences. Primarily, a research question, just like a hypothesis, is focused and concise. But a hypothesis includes a prediction based on the proposed research, and is designed to forecast the relationship of and between two (or more) variables. Research questions are open-ended, and invite debate and discussion, while hypotheses are closed, e.g. “The relationship between A and B will be C.”

A hypothesis is generally used if your research topic is fairly well established, and you are relatively certain about the relationship between the variables that will be presented in your research. Since a hypothesis is ideally suited for experimental studies, it will, by its very existence, affect the design of your experiment.
The research question is typically used for new topics that have not yet been researched extensively. Here, the relationship between different variables is less known. There is no prediction made, but there may be variables explored. The research question can be casual in nature, simply trying to understand if a relationship even exists, descriptive or comparative.

How to Write Hypothesis in Research

Writing an effective hypothesis starts before you even begin to type. Like any task, preparation is key, so you start first by conducting research yourself, and reading all you can about the topic that you plan to research. From there, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to understand where your focus within the topic will lie.

Remember that a hypothesis is a prediction of the relationship that exists between two or more variables. Your job is to write a hypothesis, and design the research, to “prove” whether or not your prediction is correct. A common pitfall is to use judgments that are subjective and inappropriate for the construction of a hypothesis. It’s important to keep the focus and language of your hypothesis objective.

An effective hypothesis in research is clearly and concisely written, and any terms or definitions clarified and defined. Specific language must also be used to avoid any generalities or assumptions.

Use the following points as a checklist to evaluate the effectiveness of your research hypothesis:

  • Predicts the relationship and outcome
  • Simple and concise – avoid wordiness
  • Clear with no ambiguity or assumptions about the readers’ knowledge
  • Observable and testable results
  • Relevant and specific to the research question or problem

Research Hypothesis Example

Perhaps the best way to evaluate whether or not your hypothesis is effective is to compare it to those of your colleagues in the field. There is no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to writing a powerful research hypothesis. As you’re reading and preparing your hypothesis, you’ll also read other hypotheses. These can help guide you on what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to writing a strong research hypothesis.

Here are a few generic examples to get you started.

–

Eating an apple each day, after the age of 60, will result in a reduction of frequency of physician visits.

Budget airlines are more likely to receive more customer complaints. A budget airline is defined as an airline that offers lower fares and fewer amenities than a traditional full-service airline. (Note that the term “budget airline” is included in the hypothesis.

Workplaces that offer flexible working hours report higher levels of employee job satisfaction than workplaces with fixed hours.

–

Each of the above examples are specific, observable and measurable, and the statement of prediction can be verified or shown to be false by utilizing standard experimental practices. It should be noted, however, that often your hypothesis will change as your research progresses.

Language Editing Plus

Elsevier’s Language Editing Plus service can help ensure that your research hypothesis is well-designed, and articulates your research and conclusions. Our most comprehensive editing package, you can count on a thorough language review by native-English speakers who are PhDs or PhD candidates. We’ll check for effective logic and flow of your manuscript, as well as document formatting for your chosen journal, reference checks, and much more.

Type in wordcount for Plus
Total:
Follow this link if your manuscript is longer than 9,000 words.
Upload

 

Total
11
Shares
Post 11
Tweet 0
Share 0
Send 0
Message 0
Previous Article
Research Paper Conclusion
  • Manuscript Preparation

Research Paper Conclusion: Know How To Write It

View Post
Next Article
Write and Improve your Researcher Profile
  • Publication Recognition

How to Write and Improve your Researcher Profile

View Post
You May Also Like
how to write the results section of a research paper
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

How to write the results section of a research paper

What are Implications in Research
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

What are Implications in Research?

Differentiating between the abstract and the introduction of a research paper
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

Differentiating between the abstract and the introduction of a research paper

what-background-study-how-to-write
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

What is the Background of a Study and How Should it be Written?

How to Use Tables and Figures effectively in Research Papers
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

How to Use Tables and Figures effectively in Research Papers

Converting your PhD Thesis into a Book in Five Steps
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

Converting your PhD Thesis into a Book in Five Steps

Research Paper Conclusion
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

Research Paper Conclusion: Know How To Write It

Know How to Structure Your PhD Thesis
View Post
  • Manuscript Preparation

Know How to Structure Your PhD Thesis

  • How to Build a VOI Assessment Strategy

    How to Build a VOI Assessment Strategy

    • 5 minute read
    View Post
  • How-to-present-scientific-data

    How to Present Scientific Data

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • informed-consent-research

    Informed Consent – Making Research Conscientious

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • Publishing in Special Issues: Is it good for my career?

    Publishing in Special Issues: Is it good for my career?

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
  • Challenges for early career researchers

    Challenges for Early Career Researchers

    • 5 minute read
    View Post
More Posts
  • Why is data validation important in research
    Why is data validation important in research?
    • 3 minute read
  • how to write the results section of a research paper
    How to write the results section of a research paper
    • 3 minute read
  • Writing a good review article
    Writing a good review article
    • 3 minute read
  • What are Implications in Research
    What are Implications in Research?
    • 3 minute read
  • Differentiating between the abstract and the introduction of a research paper
    Differentiating between the abstract and the introduction of a research paper
    • 3 minute read
  • Importance of Using Strategic Keywords in Research Papers
    The Importance of Using Strategic Keywords in Research Papers
    • 4 minute read
Price Calculator
Type in wordcount for Standard
Total:
Follow this link if your manuscript is longer than 12,000 words.
Upload
Learn more about
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • News
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Elsevier wordmark
Terms & Conditions

Cookies are used by this site. To decline or learn more, visit our Cookies page.

RELX Wordmark

Input your search keywords and press Enter.