hypotheses Definition
- 1a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation
- 2a proposition made as a basis for reasoning, without any assumption of its truth
Using hypotheses: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hypotheses" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The hypothesis that the earth moves around the sun was first proposed by Copernicus.
Example
The study aims to test the hypothesis that caffeine improves memory.
Example
One possible hypothesis is that the company's profits have been affected by the recent economic downturn.
hypotheses Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for hypotheses
Phrases with hypotheses
a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences
Example
The working hypothesis of the research team was that the new drug would be more effective than the existing treatments.
a hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations, any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error
Example
The null hypothesis of the study was that there would be no significant difference in test scores between the two groups.
a hypothesis that is formulated as an alternative to the null hypothesis, usually with the aim of rejecting it
Example
The alternative hypothesis of the study was that the new treatment would result in significantly higher test scores than the existing treatments.
Origins of hypotheses
from Greek 'hupothesis', meaning 'foundation'
Summary: hypotheses in Brief
A hypothesis [haɪˈpɒθəsiːz] is a supposition or proposed explanation based on limited evidence, serving as a starting point for further investigation. It is often used in scientific research to test theories and make predictions. Examples include 'The study aims to test the hypothesis that caffeine improves memory' and 'One possible hypothesis is that the company's profits have been affected by the recent economic downturn.' Other types of hypotheses include 'working hypothesis,' 'null hypothesis,' and 'alternative hypothesis.'