Designing and writing a hypothesis is often one of the daunting tasks in research that even the reliable research paper writing service find it a challenge writing it. It’s essential to master how to write the hypothesis. Before you get down to writing a hypothesis in a research paper, you should understand what exactly it means.
What is a hypothesis?
Generally used in qualitative and quantitative research studies, a hypothesis is a prediction or guess on the relationship between two variables (dependent variable and independent variable). A dependent variable is what or who you think will be affected while the independent variable is what or who you guess will modify the dependent variable. A good hypothesis needs to specify all these and predict what the effect will be. It’s written as a testable statement based on the research questions, that you can either support or refute based on observable evidence. In simple terms, a hypothesis is basically what you think will happen in your study or research work. You can create your assumption after completing some research work or conducting the experiment or the study.
Procedure in Writing a Good Hypothesis
Step 1-Choose a Topic
Although in most cases you’ll be given a specific topic to research on, there is some instance when you may be required to come up with your research topic. If you’re asked to choose a topic, you need to settle on something that you have an interest in. Remember you’ll be spending much time with this research, so don’t research on impacts of water pollution on health when your passion is on tourism on tourism and economy. You may skip this step if you have been provided with the topic.
Step 2-Read and analyze the existing literature
I don’t really mean any other literature, but rather the scholarly studies and writings related to your topic of research, including course books, research papers on the topic you choose, peer-reviewed journals and articles. Before you create an excellent piece on a given topic, you need to know as much information as possible about it. As you go through the current literature, note the types of studies and experiments that have already been completed. However, you should not duplicate previous researches, unless, of course, you feel that the particular research somehow was not completed correctly or it failed in analyzing specific information.
Step 3: Create Questions and Look for Answers
A hypothesis is developed from research questions. So, it should be written after the research questions for your study is developed. With the general idea of your research study in mind, start asking questions on your topic. Make sure that the questions you create are not likely the ones that have already been addressed in the current literature works you’ve read. These are questions that you’re seeking answers for.
Step 4: Write your hypothesis
Write your hypothesis in a testable statement based on what you’ve learnt from your research. Often, a hypothesis follows “what/then format”. What may happen if this happens or what may be the effect of this on this? Remember a hypothesis is not a question, but rather a testable statement derived from research questions. Therefore, ensure that your hypothesis is testable. You need to make observations and take measurements or do experiments to see the relation between your variables. You may have to repeat the tests over and over again if need be.
Always keep your variables in mind when writing your hypothesis. A good hypothesis is the one that defines the dependent and independent variable in easy-to-measure terms, like who the participants of the study are, what changes in the course of testing and the potential effect of these changes.
Now that you’ve mastered how to write a hypothesis in a research paper, you may continue with creating your study.