NOTES— WRITING A HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS—a suggested solution to or a prediction about a problem that is to be tested. It is an educated guess, based on research, observations, etc. Hypotheses need to be testable; that is, researchers should be able to do an experiment and obtain evidence (data) that shows whether the hypothesis is true or not. When investigating a cause-and-effect type problem, hypotheses are written as if-and-then statements. For example: If plants are fertilized more, then they will grow taller.

HYPOTHESIS TEMPLATE-use this as a guide when writing if…then…statements If ___________________ is ____________________ (independent variable) (how the IV is changed) then ___________________ will __________________ (Dependent variable) (predict the effect on DV)

Writing Hypothesis Example If the problem is: Is a dog’s behavior affected by the phase of the moon? A correctly written hypothesis looks like: If ___________________________ is __________________________ (independent variable) (how the IV is changed) then _____________________ will ____________________________ (Dependent variable) (predict how DV will be affected) the phase of the moon full the dog’s behavior be more nervous than usual.

NOTES— WRITING A HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS—a suggested ____________________ to or a prediction about a problem that is to be __________. It is an educated guess, based on _______________, observations, etc. Hypotheses need to be __________________; that is, researchers should be able do an ___________________ and obtain evidence (data) that shows whether the hypothesis is _________________. When investigating a cause-and-effect type problem, hypotheses are written as ________________ statements. For example: If plants are fertilized ________, then they will _____________________.

If ___________________ is ____________________ HYPOTHESIS TEMPLATE-use this as a guide when writing if…then… If ___________________ is ____________________ (independent variable) (how the IV is changed) then ___________________ will __________________ (Dependent variable) (predict the effect on DV)

Writing Hypothesis Example If the problem is: Is a dog’s behavior affected by the phase of the moon? A correctly written hypothesis looks like: If ___________________________ is __________________________ (independent variable) (how the IV is changed) then _____________________ will ____________________________ (Dependent variable) (predict how DV will be affected)