How to Formulate a Hypothesis for a Research Questionnaire

A properly formulated hypothesis should be straight forward and testable for it to function within the scientific method.

Formulating a decent hypothesis in any given situation is really a measure of your ability to understand the context of an event and make a guess as to what the outcome will be. The hypothesis is the third step in the scientific method which, according to the Science Made Simple website, is the "logical and rational order of steps by which scientists come to conclusions about the world around them." So the hypothesis is an initial step in proving a theory or something in nature.

Instructions

1. Review the material at hand. Decide what your instincts tell you about what you've observed and what you believe might happen.

2. Look for clues using common sense or past scientific material. Find something you can relate to the current situation that will allow you to form a reasonable relationship and prediction in your own matter.

3. Make a list of possible hypotheses that could be tested. The ultimate goal of a hypothesis should be to create something that is entirely provable or disprovable based on supporting evidence and tests. If you can't put your hypothesis to work its useless in the realm of science.

4. Select a hypothesis you believe can easily be tested and serves a purpose to further scientific inquiry. Don't choose something too obvious or too difficult. Go with your empirical instinct based on what you've seen before.

5. Write out the hypothesis in a clear and straight forward manner. It should be obvious to anyone what you're proposing.

References

• Science Made Simple: Scientific Method