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A Definition: A hypothesis is a supposition or proposed explanation (often reframed as a defensible thesis statement) which concisely sums up the central argument of a research project. For this course, a central question is used to help derive a defensible hypothesis. |
Characteristics of a Hypothesis:
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Topic Development: Two sample questions emerge from the two methods used:
| The 5 W's Method | The PICO Method |
| How does extended microgravity space flight impact kidney physiology, volume regulation, and osmolarity responses in astronauts traveling to Mars? | In adult patients suffering from IBD (P), how does phage delivery of probiotics (I) impact the frequency & intensity of inflammation & stability of gut flora (O) compared to NSAID and immunosuppressant treatments alone (C)? |
In order to transform these questions into working thesis statements, start by simply shifting or reframing the verb from a point of question to a point of declaration!
| The 5 W's Method | The PICO Method |
| Astronauts traveling to Mars under extended microgravity space flight will experience irregularities in kidney physiology, volume regulation, and osmolarity response? | Adult patients suffering from IBD (P) undergoing encapsulated phage delivery of probiotics (I) will decrease the frequency & intensity of inflammation & experience increased stability of gut flora (O) compared to NSAID and immunosuppressant treatments alone (C)? |
By shifting or reframing the verb, these questions have now become testable Hypotheses from which an experiment is designed, variables are tested, methods are established, data is gathered, evidence is given, and conclusions are demonstrated.