HYPOTHESIS:

A hypothesis is an explanation for a phenomenon which can be tested in some

way which ideally either proves or disproves the hypothesis. For the duration of testing, the hypothesis
is taken to be true, and the goal of the researcher is to rigorously test the terms of the hypothesis. The
concept of the hypothesis is a very important part of the scientific method, and it also holds true in
other disciplines as well. For example, some historians have put forward the hypothesis that the Salem
Witch Trials were brought about by the consumption of grains contaminated with ergot, resulting in a
mass hysteria.

When someone formulates a hypothesis, he or she does so with the intention of testing it, and he or
she should not know the outcome of potential tests before the hypothesis is made. When formulating a
hypothesis, the ideals of the scientific method are often kept in mind, so the hypothesis is designed to
be testable in a way which could be replicated by other people. It is also kept clear and simple, and the
hypothesis relies on known information and reasoning.

A hypothesis does not have to be right or wrong, but the person formulating the hypothesis does have
to be prepared to test the theory to its limits. If someone hypothesizes that exposure to X causes Y in
lab rats, for example, he or she must see if exposure to other things also causes Y. When scientists
publish results which support a hypothesis, they often detail the steps they took to disprove the
hypothesis as well as the steps which confirmed it, to make the case that much stronger.

In some instances, a hypothesis turns out to be wrong, and this is considered perfectly acceptable,
because it still furthers the cause of science. In the example above, for instance, by showing that
exposure to X does not cause Y, a scientist can illustrate that further research on Y is needed. In this
example, the fact that the hypothesis is wrong does not necessarily mean that substance X is safe,
because substance X could still cause something else.

It is also possible for a hypothesis to turn out to be inconclusive after testing. This can be because a
scientist lacks the necessary tools for the testing, suggesting that advanced scientific techniques could
be used in the future to test the hypothesis. It can also be the result of not having enough information,
or a hypothesis which is simply poorly formed and hard to test.

In science, (both the "hard physical sciences", and the "soft social
sciences,") an hypothesis is the begining of looking for the answer to a question. The
hypothesis is formulating the question into different categories where you might look to
find the answer
a hypothesis is like a statement, in an essay it is usually a statement you write at the
beginning and the whole essay is about you proving that statement , with evidence and
research etc

an example:
i am doing a essay on Pearl Harbor at the moment and my hypothesis is:

Japan’s tactical raid on Pearl Harbor in WWII led to their ultimate downfall.

Now i have written my whole essay proving that this is true..

 in science a hypothesis can be known as like an educated guess: for a prac write up
example
I did a experiment on two different types of rockets ( one with wings and the other one
didn't have wings)
so my hypothesis was:

The rocket with wings will fly the furtherest.

at the end of the report you link back to your hypothesis, was is correct or not.

Characteristics of good hypothesis

A hypothesis for a project, a paper or a larger endeavor is key to guiding you in the right
direction as you reach your conclusion. A good hypothesis has a few key characteristics that
make it helpful, understandable and provable.

Step1
Determine the topic and the application for your hypothesis. Are you interested in bone structure
and want to conduct a science experiment? Or are you interested in political theory and want to
write a paper? The topic determines what your hypothesis is about, and the application tells you
how to word your hypothesis.
Step2
Narrow your topic down from general to specific, broad to narrow. You want the particulars of the
topic you wish to investigate and you want to bring the topic down to a size you can handle.
Whether you are dealing in abstract ideas or with tangible research, you can't conquer the world
all at once. Break it down into one-step-at-a-time sized pieces.
Step3
A good hypothesis is your assumption or explanation of why or how something occurs. You are
proposing an explanation or defending an argument. In order to determine your answer (your
hypothesis), first determine your question. What question do you want to answer by this
experiment, research or essay? Let's take for our purposes this (somewhat facetious) question:
"Why do people get bad haircuts?"
Step4
Decide what your answer to the question is. Why do people get bad haircuts? Is it because they
can't afford to go to a great salon? Perhaps they don't know they have bad haircuts? Or is a bad
haircut is only a matter of preference? Write down your best answer to the question you have
proposed.
Step5
A good hypothesis is simple and concise. Look at the answer you have written--that is--your
current hypothesis. Is it wordy? Cluttered up with unnecessary adjectives? Confusing? Wishy
washy? Reword as needed to form a statement that is brief and understandable. "People end up
with really bad haircuts because they don't know that they have bad haircuts and don't know how
to get good ones" can become "People have bad haircuts because they don't recognize good
haircuts."
Step6
A good hypothesis take a clear side. Your following research or writing will determine if the side
you chose is the right one; at this point, the purpose of your hypothesis is to make your claim
boldly. So don't tiptoe around. Decide what you think, and say it. If your current hypothesis is
dancing around the real heart of what you think, trim it up and work it over until it says what you
mean to say.
Step7
A good hypothesis uses clearly defined terms. If any of the terms you are using in your
hypothesis are ambiguous, either reword or include a brief clarification of what you mean by the
particular term. "People have bad haircuts (unflattering or unkempt) because they don't recognize
good haircuts."
Step8
A good hypothesis is testable. If there's no way to go out and test the truth of the statement you
are making, it won't work as a hypothesis. If you can test it, it will work. A testable hypothesis
gives you direct guidance for your next steps in completing your project. Once you determine that
your hypothesis is testable, you probably know how to test it. So your next move is to start testing
and find out if your good hypothesis is good enough to become a theory.