Formulating hypotheses
Formulating hypotheses is creating testable assumptions that explain a problem or predict a possible outcome.
Definition
The hypothesis is not yet true, but a working proposition to be tested. A good hypothesis should be specific, disprovable or confirmable, and related to observations. In problem solving, hypotheses help avoid chaotic actions and lead to more informed data collection.
Key ideas
- Verifiability
- Temporality of explanation
- Linking observations to the test
Practice and life
Write down the problem, followed by three possible cause hypotheses. For each one, write down which fact would confirm it and which would weaken it.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to fall in love with the first hypothesis. It is also a mistake to create hypotheses that are so general that they cannot be tested.
> A hypothesis is not a truth, just an invitation to be tested.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What hypothesis am I assuming?
- How can I check it?
- What would it take for me to change my mind?