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Learning Activity Sheet 1

Hypothesis

Background Information

A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. It is

a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in a study.

One of the most important aspects of any research project is the formulation of the hypothesis.
While it is only a single statement, the hypothesis is critical to the success of any research project. The
hypothesis must be stated before any experimentation and after a thorough literature review, which is a
critical step in the research process.

A hypothesis is simply a proposed solution to a problem or a tentative explanation for behaviors,

phenomena or events that could have happened or will happen. It can also be described as an educated
prediction about the outcome of a research. A hypothesis is meant to be tested.

Hypothesis Checklist

When trying to come up with a good hypothesis for your own research or experiments, ask yourself the
following questions:

 Is your hypothesis based on your research or on a topic?

 Does your hypothesis focus on something that you can actually test?
 Does your hypothesis include both an independent and dependent variable?
 Can you manipulate the variables?
 Can your hypothesis be tested without violating ethical standards?

Guidelines in Hypothesis Formulation

A. The hypothesis should be clear and brief.

The hypothesis should state the expected relationship (or differences) between two variables in
clear and concise terms, as well as define the variable in operational and measurable terms. It should
give a good idea of what you intend to do without being overly wordy. State your hypothesis using only
one sentence.

e.g.
Extracts from Aloe vera will speed up the regeneration of Planaria.

This single sentence can already tell anyone what you intend to investigate.
B. A hypothesis should be based on previous experiences or observations, as well as information
gathered from research.

A good hypothesis is founded on a thorough review of the literature. Before formulating a

hypothesis, an exhaustive survey of library readings should be conducted to the greatest extent
possible. You may have chosen your topic after reading several scientific journal articles. In this case,
your hypothesis should consider the outcomes of the experiments or observations mentioned in this
article.

C. A hypothesis must be testable.

This means that your hypothesis can be proven correct or incorrect depending on the results of
the experiment. In the preceding example, if you want to investigate whether or not Aloe vera extracts
accelerate Planaria regeneration, you can conduct experiments to test this hypothesis.

Can you think of a way to put this hypothesis to the test? You could try putting several Planaria
segments in culture media with varying amounts of Aloe vera extract. The regeneration rates of Planaria
kept in culture medium soils without the extract can then be compared. However, if you want to see if
Aloe vera extract will make Planaria feel better, you will not be able to form a valid hypothesis. This is
due to the fact that no scientific test or experiment can be performed to assess the feelings of these
organisms.

D. A hypothesis should state how, at the very least, two factors relate.
The two relating factors in the preceding example are the amount of extract and Planaria
regeneration. Here is an example of a hypothesis for the previous problem question:

The amount of Aloe vera extract affects Planaria regeneration.

It is also important to note that when an experiment fails, the hypothesis should not be changed to
conform to the experiment's results. If something unexpected occurs, and if time and resources allow, it
is preferable to repeat or redesign the experiment to confirm the results.

THE STATISTICAL HYPOTHESIS – is a conjecture about a population parameter (may or may not be
TRUE).
Conjecture – a hypothesis; an assumption; guess; a CLAIM
- an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information
Parameter – a numerical characteristic of a population, as distinct from a statistic of a sample
- a limit or boundary that defines the scope of a particular process or activity
- a VARIABLE; boundary, limiting factor
Types of Statistical Hypothesis

1. NULL HYPOTHESIS (H0) – is a statistical hypothesis that states that there is no significant difference
between a parameter and a specific value, or there is no difference between two parameters or no
relationship between variables.
- must contain the condition of equality (=, ≥, ≤)
- stated in the negative form (no, not, none)
- Either reject Ho or fail to reject Ho
e.g.
Ho: When a sample of insect A is regularly exposed to pesticide X for one week, 100% of the sample will
die; none will survive.
Ho: The mean wood production in trees adjacent to herbicide-treated fields and that in trees adjacent to
nonherbicide-treated fields are not significantly different.
Ho: The mean heights of plants exposed to 0%, 20%, and 30% substance A are not significantly different.
H0: There is no significant difference between the mean % particulate matter of the diesel engine cars
before and after the installation of the luffa fiber filter.

2. ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS (H1) – also called the research hypothesis. It is a statistical hypothesis
that states the existence of a difference between a parameter and a specific value or states that
there is a difference between the two parameters.
- the symbolic form of the alternative hypothesis must use one of these symbols: ≠ > <.
- must be true if Ho is false
- stated in the positive form
- the opposite of the null
e.g.
H1: Insect A develops resistance to pesticide X.
H1: Wood production in trees adjacent to herbicide-treated fields is less than wood production in tress
adjacent to nonherbicide-treated fields.
H1: If the concentration of substance A is increased, then the plant growth will be reduced.
H1: There is a significant difference between the mean % particulate matter of the diesel engine cars
before and after the installation of the luffa fiber filter.
Activity 1. Formulate hypotheses based on the given situation. Fill in the table below with your answers.

Situation:

Compare the effects of fertilizer A and fertilizer B on legume growth in terms of:

1. Average height per plant.

2. Time of flowering per plant

3. Number of pods per plant.

4. Number of leaves per plant

5. Total weight of plants per legume.

Independent Dependent Variable Null Hypothesis H0 (Negatively Alternative Hypothesis H1

Variable stated) (Positively stated)
 Activity 2. Formulate the H0 and H1 using the questions in the table. Fill in the blanks with your answers.

Question Null Hypothesis (H0) Alternative Hypothesis (H1)

1. How can tea containing

antioxidants prevent diseases
such as cancer?

2. Does taking Losartan lifezar

every day reduce the chance of
having a heart attack?

3. How are stellar candles

helpful in determining the
extragalactic distance scale?

4. How does the circadian cycle

affect the human body
temperature?

5. Does chewing ginger relieve

pain?
Activity 3. Formulate the H0 and H1 for the given research titles.
1. Biofuel from Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus ccommunis)
H0:
H1:
2. Pyrolysis of Plastic Wastes or the Production of Fuel Substitutes
H0:
H1:
3. Biodegradation of Diesel Oil Using Bacillus Isolates
H0:
H1:
4. The Feasibility of Mango (Mongifera indica) Peeling Extract as Fabric Dye
H0:
H1:
5. Makabuhay Extract as Pesticide Against Mosquito
H0:
H1:

References:
Rabago, Lilia et.al. “Research II: Guide to Investigatory Projects”, 2001, Taguig, Department of Science
and Technology.
Dequico, Evelyn, “Lesson Exemplar in Research I”, Advanced Subject for Science, Technology and
Engineering Program, 2020, Division of Cagayan.