How to Develop a Hypothesis for Microbiology

A good hypothesis requires that you develop interesting questions from your research.

A hypothesis is an educated guess made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. The success of your microbiology report relies heavily on your ability to properly develop your hypothesis. To do so, during the information gathering stage of your project, you must be able to isolate the right question and be certain that it is testable. Asking and developing the right question will help you properly focus your research throughout the project.

Instructions

1. Research your topic extensively. As you study, interesting questions will occur to you. Write down a list of questions that will require testing to answer. These questions usually involve measuring both "what you will do" and "what will happen." For example: "If I increase the temperature of a cup of water, will it increase the amount of sugar that dissolves in the cup?" Once you have completed your primary research and your question list, select the question you wish to use as the basis of your microbiology report. This will become your hypothesis.

2. Determine what experiment is best to find an answer to your question. Keep in mind that when you reach the testing stage, your experiment may require an independent variable (usually the variable representing the value being changed) and a dependent variable (the observable result of the independent variable being changed). For example: "If I raise the temperature (independent variable) of a cup of water, this will increase the amount of sugar (dependent variable) that dissolves. Once you've determined what experiment you will use, make a prediction about how your experiment will turn out and write it down.

3. Develop your hypothesis. With your question and prediction in mind, write out your hypothesis in simple terms. A common format that will give you a good start is as follows: "If I do [this], then [this] will happen." For example: "If I raise the temperature of a cup of water, this will increase the amount of sugar that will dissolve in it." Once you are satisfied that your hypothesis has been properly captured in this format, you can reword it, edit it or flesh it out by adding minor, relevant details without bloating the structure. For example: "Raising the temperature of a cup water will increase the amount of sugar that it dissolves.'

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that your goal is not to prove that your prediction or hypothesis is correct but to find out why your experiment has turned out as it has.

• Asking the wrong questions can make conducting your research confusing and frustrating. Refine your question or select another question from your list if necessary.

• Begin your report as early as possible so that you can enjoy the learning process.

References

• "How to Write Themes and Term Papers"; Barbara Lenmark-Ellis; 1989