Developing a Hypothesis for an Investigation

Understanding the Hypothesis:

A hypothesis is a statement that proposes the answer or outcome of an investigation. It is derived from your initial observations and research.
It is not a random guess; rather, it is a predictive statement based on scientific principles and past work.
It should be focused on a specific relationship between variables.
The ‘null hypothesis’ simply states that there isn’t a meaningful relationship between the variables.

Developing the Hypothesis:

Start with a clear and specific scientific question you want to answer through your investigation.
Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the existing knowledge about the subject.
Outline the variables in your investigation. There should be a dependent variable (the one you measure or observe changing) and an independent variable (the one you manipulate to create change).
Develop a supposition about what you expect will happen when you manipulate the independent variable.
Make sure your hypothesis is testable. It should be possible to prove it true or false through the experiment.
Your hypothesis should be expressed in a way that it can be clearly measured.

Refining the Hypothesis:

Refine your hypothesis so that it is focused, concise, and nominalizes your prediction.
Use precise language and terms. Vague terminologies provide opportunities for misinterpretations.
An effective hypothesis should be useful, i.e., has significance for the field of study and has potential practical applications.
It should be falsifiable, meaning there should be a possible negative answer to your hypothesis.
Lastly, your hypothesis should tell a true story, meaning it should be logical and entail a clear idea of what is supposed to be tested.

Remember, formulating a hypothesis is just the first step towards scientific investigation. The true skill and excitement come in using smart experiments to prove or disprove it!