Hypothesis testing is how you formally test research predictions (hypotheses) using statistics.
Hypothesis testing involves creating a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis.
- The alternative hypothesis outlines the effect you expect to find (e.g., “Getting 30 minutes of sunshine within an hour of waking up improves mood”)
- The null hypothesis states that there is no effect (e.g., “Getting 30 minutes of sunshine within an hour of waking up has no impact on mood).
Generally, you use statistical tests to obtain a p value, which lets you decide whether to reject or accept the null hypothesis (i.e., decide whether there is or isn’t an effect). You never “prove” a hypothesis; you simply determine whether you have enough evidence to accept or reject the null hypothesis.
Terminology related to hypothesis testing is very precise and can be confusing. QuillBot’s free AI writer is a great tool to help you perfect your wording.
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A hypothesis is a testable prediction of an outcome or relationship between variables.
Many take the form of “if… then…” For example, “If I drink caffeine before bed, then it will take me longer to fall asleep.”
Hypotheses can also outline predicted relationships. For example, “Increased caffeine consumption before bed reduces the number of hours of restful sleep.”
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The null hypothesis (H0) and alternative hypothesis (H1) are used in statistical hypothesis testing.
The null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between two variables nor effect of a manipulation (i.e., nothing is happening). For example, “Drinking a cup of coffee does not increase reading speed.”
The alternative hypothesis predicts that there is an effect; for example, “Drinking a cup of coffee does increase reading speed.”
If your data provide sufficient evidence (i.e., yield statistically significant results), you can “reject” the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis. In other words, you can conclude that your results support the alternative hypothesis.
Note that you can never prove or disprove a hypothesis; we can only determine whether the data provide enough evidence to support or reject it.
Terminology related to hypothesis testing is very precise and can be confusing. QuillBot’s free AI writer is a great tool to help you perfect your wording.
Continue reading: What is a null hypothesis vs an alternative hypothesis?
A thesis statement, a research question, and a hypothesis are all related concepts. Together, they form the backbone of any academic research study.
A research question is generally the starting point of any academic research. It should capture what you are trying to learn about. Good research questions are specific, feasible, and relevant. For example, “Does the use of sans-serif fonts improve reading speed in low-light conditions?”
A hypothesis is a clear and testable prediction about the research question. Hypotheses are an essential component of experimental or theoretical work but may not be present in more qualitative work. For example, “Participants reading sans-serif fonts in low light will demonstrate significantly faster reading speeds than those reading serif fonts in the same conditions.”
The thesis statement is the main argument of a paper. It synthesizes a paper’s position/results in the context of existing research. Though it usually appears in an introduction, it is often written towards the end of the research process. For example, “Sans-serif fonts significantly improve legibility in low-light environments.”
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Continue reading: What is the difference between a thesis statement, a research question, and a hypothesis?
An example of self-plagiarism would be writing and submitting the same term paper for your art history class and for your elective on Impressionism.
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You can avoid self-plagiarism by:
- Citing yourself clearly
- Paraphrasing your previous work
- Speaking with your publisher or professor about their policies
Using tools like QuillBot’s Plagiarism Checker
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Self-plagiarism is considered wrong because:
- It’s deceptive.
- It slows down the publishing process.
- It may violate copyright laws.
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A position paper includes the following components: introduction, thesis statement, arguments, counterarguments, and conclusion.
Don’t forget to include citations. QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can help.
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Position papers are a core part of any Model United Nations convention. They offer the basis for debate and discussion, and allow you to really understand the country you are representing.
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A position paper is a document that uses evidence and research to argue in favor of the author’s opinion on a given topic.
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