Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Category: Research Design and Data Tags: #research-methods
Definition
A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
Example
A researcher, after reviewing the academic literature related to narcissistic characteristics, finds that there has been very little mention of the potential connection between cell phone use and narcissistic characteristics. The researcher develops a simple hypothesis - "Higher levels of cell phone use are predictive of narcissistic characteristics."
The research study will be designed to test this hypothesis.
Why It Matters
A hypothesis gives research direction and focus. It turns curiosity into a clear, testable question. Without it, a study can easily drift or become unclear. A good hypothesis helps researchers stay on track and makes it easier to analyze and understand the results.
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