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Hypothesis Examples

Puja Lalwani
In any science, a hypothesis forms the basis for a study leading to a statement of facts. Some hypothesis examples have been given here in order for you to understand this concept effectively.
A hypothesis is an assumption that is made regarding the relation between two objects or circumstances, and is taken to be true unless proven otherwise.
It is a supposition that is believed to be true, unless appropriate testing is carried out to establish the relationship between both the objects or situations, which then, may or may not prove the statement true. This is the definition of this concept in simple terms. To help you further, this article contains a few hypothesis examples.

Basics

A hypothesis aims to establish a relationship between a dependent variable and an independent variable. For instance, one may state this term as: Pouring milk in plants instead of water will enhance their growth at a quicker rate.
Here, the independent variable is the milk that is poured in the plants, and the dependent variable is the growth of the plants. Only after testing this statement, i.e., pouring milk in plants daily and monitoring their growth, can you decide whether this statement is true or not. A few more instances are mentioned below.

General Confusion

Many people get confused, thinking that this term is the same as a theory. Before proceeding further, understand the difference between the two. A theory is a statement made after facts have been proven, and all observations regarding a particular situation or event have been clearly stated.
On the other hand, a hypothesis is a supposition that is made unless proven otherwise. In short, the former is a fact while the latter is an assumption.

General Formats

This concept is usually written in the 'if' and 'then' format so that it is formalized. However, there are other ways in which it may be written too.
 Taking the aforementioned format, we have a few instances:
  • Format 1: Pouring milk in plants instead of water will enhance their growth at a quicker rate.
  • Format 2: If milk is poured in plants instead of water, then it will enhance their growth at a quicker rate.
  • Format 3: This study is based on the hypothesis that pouring milk in plants instead of water will enhance their growth at a quicker rate.
  • Format 4: Pouring milk in plants instead of water may enhance their growth at a quicker rate.
Usually, the 'if and then' format is used, though it may not be applicable in all situations.

List of Examples

  • Not cleaning your face after eating oily food may result in chin acne.
  • There are more roots in grass than in shrubs. (In this example, the if and then format is not applicable).
  • Ice may melt sooner when kept in a covered box than when kept out in the open.
  • People who close their eyes while laughing are laughing genuinely while those who do not close their eyes are not.
  • This hypothesis is based on the study that eating chocolate at the end of a bad day will relax the mind and make one feel more positive.
  • The process of making yogurt in different temperatures will affect the consistency of yogurt.
  • Chocolate may cause pimples and acne.
  • People who drink and smoke have a bad character, while people who avoid these habits are very good.
  • The length of a pendulum will affect the distance to which it swings.
  • If you get seven hours of sleep, you may be able to fare much better in tests.
  • If this plant had been given some fertilizer, it would have grown faster than that plant.
  • Left-handed people may have a higher IQ than right-handed people.
  • Those who read may be better writers than those who don't.
  • If the tap is left open, the amount of water flowing will increase
  • Women who wear high heels may be more prone to back problems than women who wear only flat shoes.
These are all instances that will have to undergo optimum testing so that they may be proven. Remember, a hypothesis is an assumption, which can also be wrong. As such, testing may not always yield positive results. However, you will still be able to establish a conclusion and state your assumption to be correct or incorrect at the end.