Application of hypotheses. The meaning of the word hypothesis
hypothesis) - a judgment put forward to test or evaluate a generalization about a phenomenon. See also Experimental hypothesis; Null hypothesis; Hypothetical-deductive explanation and method.
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HYPOTHESIS
Greek - basis, assumption) - a form of organization of scientific knowledge that ensures movement towards new knowledge, going beyond the framework of available (existing) knowledge and facilitating (in some cases) the implementation of a new idea (a conceptual scheme as an explication of an idea, as a “general G.” theory hypothesis ). Functionally, it is formalized as a preliminary explanation of a certain phenomenon or group of phenomena. It is built on the basis of the assumption of the implicit existence of a certain order relationship, realized as a sequence of alternation of phenomena that allows (subject to the norms and rules of procedure) to draw conclusions (conclusions, assumptions) about the structure of objects, the nature and closeness (materiality) of the recorded connections of objects, features, parameters etc., the determination of some phenomena by others. Logically formulated according to the scheme of conditionally categorical inference, in which it is necessary to confirm or refute a certain premise. In this sense, G. looks like a proposition that follows with logical necessity from existing knowledge, but goes beyond its limits (boundaries), and is a reformulation of a discovered and solvable problem.
Procedurally, G. (as a transition from the unknown, problematic to the known, hypothetically assumed) is constructed as an algorithm for realizing a research goal with possible access to a practical solution. Thus, G. predetermines the internal logic of the development of knowledge. In most cases, this is the logic of substantiating a position, sometimes it is the logic of discovery (the assumption of the existence of a certain phenomenon). G. is a form of normative-procedural organization of knowledge that cannot be directly assessed from the point of view of its truth or falsity. It sets a certain field of uncertainty. The removal of this uncertainty occurs during the theoretical (logical) justification (proof) of G. and (or) its experimental confirmation or refutation, i.e. empirical justification. Assumptions formalized as G. are always probable (and in this regard, to one degree or another, uncertain); procedures for substantiating (verifying) initial research G. there are always steps to reduce this uncertainty, in the limit - to remove it altogether, which would make it possible to change the status of probabilistic knowledge to the status of reliable (theoretical) knowledge, and thereby overcome the normative and procedural limitations of hypothetical knowledge - i.e. “liquidate” G. as a form of knowledge in this particular study and/or theory. However, in modern scientific methodology, this attitude is increasingly viewed as fundamentally completely unrealizable in any scientific theory, which itself is interpreted as a set (structural and organized) of hypothetical constructs, ideally connected by relations of deducibility. In this context, in scientific knowledge (theory, program) there is a distinction between an invariant core and its peripheral “protective belt”, open to the outside, dependent on newly emerging data and in need of constant reformulation of its provisions, their constant re-justification. Thus, the “periphery” is fundamentally framed as problematic-hypothetical knowledge, the boundary of which with the “core” is always quite conditional and conventional. At the same time, the emphasis on substantiating the corresponding hypothetical positions within the theory is increasingly being replaced by an emphasis on discrediting competing theories, and the theories themselves are beginning to be understood as patterns taken on faith (see), as possible points of view on certain subject areas, i.e. scientific knowledge itself begins to be interpreted as fundamentally hypothetical (containing an irremovable moment of uncertainty, resolved conventionally and/or procedurally).
“Hypothetization” of knowledge leads to the actualization of its activity-technological aspects through work with its content. Thus, it can be argued (with a certain degree of convention) that scientific knowledge deals not with real events, but with the analysis of the objective possibilities of certain events. It is capable of removing (overcoming) its own problematic nature, but not its own probability, which inevitably leads to its new problematization. The turning point to this approach can be considered the transfer of emphasis from verification procedures to procedures for falsifying knowledge, from inference schemes aimed at confirming a statement to inference schemes aimed at refuting a statement. Confirmation of a corollary from a statement only helps to increase the plausibility of a judgment, while denying a consequence is capable of casting doubt on the very foundation of a hypothesis. Refutation has greater heuristic potential than confirmation, which is always problematic - any scientific position, until it is refuted, can be considered as a hypothesis (it is always a “questioning”, formulated according to certain rules and norms in accordance with one or another ideal of knowledge and a procedure “built” as adequate to the research situation).
It is necessary to distinguish between G.-foundations and G.-consequences derived from them, which, in fact, are subject to justification procedures. At the same time, non-confirmation of one of the consequences is not a sufficient condition for refuting the G-foundation. Although it is called into question, we are talking, rather, about problematizing the procedure for constructing a G. system with parallel re-explication of the content (up to its reformulation and reinterpretation) and verification of the formal correctness of the organization of the procedure itself. (To one degree or another, it is true that working with knowledge that is hypothetical in status is working with knowledge in a procedural mode.) The theoretical justification of a hypothesis involves testing it for consistency, establishing its fundamental verifiability, identifying its applicability to the class of phenomena under study, and studying its deducibility from more general theoretical provisions, an assessment of its fit into the theory through a possible restructuring of the latter. The empirical substantiation of hypothesis involves either observation of the phenomena described by geography (which is rarely possible), or work to correlate the consequences of geography with the available and detectable data of experience. Work with procedures for substantiating geographies has developed in scientific practice an orientation towards producing the largest possible number of interconnected groups, on the one hand, and towards establishing the largest possible number of referents (empirical indicators) for each group, on the other. In the methodology of science, a number of qualitative parameters have been developed that a correctly formulated group must satisfy. Among them are the following parameters: generality (groups covering a larger number of objects are more preferable); complexity (determining the optimum of factors included in the structure of a geometric model); specifiability (establishing distinguishable values for each of the factors included in the structure of G.); determinism (the factor is more deterministic, the greater the number of observations taken into account); falsifiability and verifiability (establishing the limits of uncertainty of G.); communicativeness (substantive and procedural consistency of knowledge within knowledge with established - already substantiated - provisions); predictability (based on available data and knowledge); reproducibility and stability (measures of objectivity and reliability of G.). Particularly specified are the procedural requirements for G. - its fundamental feasibility at a given level of knowledge and by these means, the avoidance of value judgments in it, the absence of uninterpreted concepts in it, and the minimization of various restrictions and assumptions in it. Procedures are specified for various classes (types) of geology: basic and non-basic (focused on different research tasks), primary and secondary (arising on the basis or instead of the first), and most importantly - structural (focused on identifying the structures, properties, nature of connections of an object) , functional (focused on determining the degree of closeness of connections and interactions within a certain integrity), explanatory (cause-and-effect). In a number of typologies, functional groups are also classified as explanatory; in other typologies they are combined with structural ones into a type (class) of descriptive systems (in both typologies, structural systems are classified as descriptive). See also: Hypothetico-deductive method, Science, Theory.
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Economic dictionary of terms
(from Greek hypothesis - basis, assumption) hypothesis
an assumption that has a scientific basis, put forward to explain economic processes and phenomena and for the purpose of predicting them. In economics, hypotheses are primarily associated with developing forecasts or putting forward new theories.
Dictionary of financial terms
HYPOTHESIS
structural part of a rule of law.
Dictionary of medical terms
Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, Dal Vladimir
hypothesis
and. Greek hypothesis, supposition, conjecture, speculative position. Hypothetical, -tical; fortune-telling, conjectural. Hypothesis w. or mortgage, hypothecary pledge, guarantee, surety by pledge, security. Hypotenuse or hypotenuse, math. the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle; down, kerchief. Hypochondria or hypochondria g. the lowest degree of melancholy, a disposition to thoughtfulness, to gloomy thoughts; blues. Hypochondriacal, generally related to this condition. Hypochondriac vol. a person susceptible to this disease.
Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. D.N. Ushakov
hypothesis
hypotheses, g. (Greek hypothesis) (book). A scientific assumption that has not been proven, but has a certain probability and explains a number of phenomena that are inexplicable without it (scientific). Create a hypothesis. Come to a hypothesis. Build hypotheses. Working hypothesis (see working 2).
Any assumption, assumption, conjecture.
Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I.Ozhegov, N.Yu.Shvedova.
hypothesis
Y, f. (book). A scientific hypothesis put forward to explain something. phenomena; In general, this is an assumption that requires confirmation. Put forward a fruitful hypothesis, G. was confirmed.
New explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.
hypothesis
A scientific hypothesis put forward to combine something. phenomena and requiring verification and experimental confirmation.
decomposition Any assumption, conjecture, assumption.
Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998
hypothesis
HYPOTHESIS (Greek hypothesis - basis, assumption) a presumptive judgment about the natural (causal) connection of phenomena; form of science development.
Large legal dictionary
hypothesis
in legal theory, a structural element of a rule of law that indicates the conditions of its operation. Thus, G. the rules of law concerning the refusal of a judge to accept a statement in a civil case are: failure by the plaintiff to comply with the procedure established by law for preliminary out-of-court resolution of the dispute; lack of jurisdiction of the case by this court; filing an application by an incapacitated person, etc.
Hypothesis
Induction(Greek hypothesis ≈ basis, assumption, from hypó ≈ under, below and thesis ≈ position), what lies at the basis is the reason or essence. For example, “atoms” of Democritus, “ideas” of Plato, “prime mover” of Aristotle. In modern usage, a hypothesis is an assumption or prediction of something expressed in the form of a judgment (or judgments): for example, “prediction of nature” in the formulation of natural science laws. Moreover, the original meaning of the term “G.” entered into the content of the concept of “scientific geography,” which expresses a presumptive judgment about the natural (or causal) relationship of phenomena. According to I. Kant, G. is not a dream, but an opinion about the actual state of affairs, developed under the strict supervision of reason. Being one of the ways to explain facts and observations—experimental data—G. are most often created according to the rule: “what we want to explain is similar to what we already know.” Any scientific study begins with an educational question. For example, “If celestial bodies obey the law of free fall, then how is it possible for the planets to move?” The question expresses the need for knowledge - to move from ignorance to knowledge, and arises when there is already some data to answer it - facts, auxiliary theories or G. and others. In this sense, scientific G., in its epistemological role, is a connecting link between “knowledge” and “ignorance” (hence the role of G. in the processes of scientific discovery), and in its logical role, it is “a form of development of natural science, since it thinks..." (F. Engels, see K. Marx and F. Engels, Works, 2nd ed., vol. 20, p. 555). The characterization of G. as the main form of mental assimilation of the world reflects not only the role of G. . in natural science, but equally its role in the social sciences. An example is the theory of materialism in sociology put forward by K. Marx, which, according to Lenin, first raised sociology to the level of science (see Complete collection of works, 5th ed., vol. 1, pp. 136≈37, 139≈40).
In order to be scientific, G. must satisfy the following requirements. 1st requirement: a scientific hypothesis must be (at least in principle) testable, that is, the consequences derived from it by logical deduction must be amenable to experimental verification and correspond (or satisfy) the results of experiments, observations, available factual material and etc. Hence the tendency of science to give scientific geometry a precise logical (mathematical) formulation that ensures the inclusion of logic as a general principle in a deductive system with subsequent comparison of the results of deduction with the results of observations and experiments. The purely logical “skeleton” of the procedure for introducing arguments into (deductive) proofs and excluding them is given, for example, by the rules of the so-called. natural logical inference (see Logic). The technique of methods for confirming a hypothesis, in particular its probability at a given level of knowledge, is studied in inductive and probabilistic logic (see Induction), in the theory of statistical decisions, 2nd requirement: the hypothesis must have sufficient generality and predictive power, i.e. .explain not only those phenomena from the consideration of which it arose, but also all phenomena associated with them. In addition, it should serve as a basis for drawing conclusions about as yet unknown phenomena (a property characteristic, in particular, of so-called mathematical geometries). 3rd requirement: G. should not be logically contradictory. From a contradictory hypothesis, according to the rules of logic, any consequences can be deduced, both verifiable in the sense of the 1st requirement and their negations. Controversial G. is obviously devoid of cognitive value; the 1st and 2nd requirements distinguish scientific G. from the so-called. working G., designed only for a “conditional explanation” of this phenomenon and not claiming to reflect the “actual state of affairs”. Working G. are often used as intermediate links in scientific constructions due to their didactic value.
Lit.: Naville E., Logic of Hypothesis, St. Petersburg, 1882; Jevons S., Fundamentals of Science, St. Petersburg, 1881, ch. 23; Asmus V.F., Hypothesis, in the book: Logika, M., 1956; Kuznetsov I.V., On the mathematical hypothesis, “Questions of Philosophy”, 1962, ╧ 10; Polya D., Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning, trans. from English, M., 1957; Kopnin P.V., Hypothesis and knowledge of reality, K., 1962; Novoselov M. M., On the issue of the correct application of probabilistic methods in the analysis of mental problems, “Questions of Psychology”, 1963, ╧ 2; Vilkeev D.V., The role of hypothesis in teaching, “Soviet Pedagogy”, 1967, ╧ 6; Bazhenov L. B., Modern scientific hypothesis, in the book: Materialistic dialectics and methods of natural sciences, M., 1968.
B.V. Biryukov, M.M. Novoselov.
Wikipedia
Hypothesis
Hypothesis(- assumption; from - below, under + - thesis) - assumption or guess; a statement that requires proof, as opposed to axioms, postulates that do not require proof. A hypothesis is considered scientific if it satisfies the scientific method, such as Popper's criterion, that is, it can potentially be tested by a critical experiment.
It can also be defined as a form of knowledge development, which is an informed assumption put forward in order to clarify the properties and causes of the phenomena under study.
As a rule, a hypothesis is expressed on the basis of a number of observations (examples) confirming it, and therefore looks plausible. hypothesis subsequently or prove, turning it into an established fact (see theorem, theory), or refute(for example, indicating a counterexample), transferring it to the category of false statements.
An unproven and unrefuted hypothesis is called open problem.
Hypothesis (mathematics)
hypothesis is a statement that, based on available information, appears to have a high probability of being true, but for which no mathematical proof can be obtained. A mathematical conjecture is an open mathematical problem, and every unsolved mathematical problem that is a solvability problem can be formulated in the form of a conjecture. However, not every mathematical problem can be formulated as a hypothesis. For example, it is impossible to predict a specific solution to a certain system of equations or an optimization problem for 2208 unknowns, but such a solution can be not only a practical, but also a mathematical result.
The Riemann hypothesis, Fermat's Last Theorem, Waring's hypothesis and some other mathematical hypotheses played a significant role in mathematics, since attempts to prove them led to the creation of new fields and methods of research.
Examples of the use of the word hypothesis in literature.
Inexplicably, Kant-Laplace hypothesis and recognition of the possibility of abiogenesis were associated with dialectical materialism, and their denial was considered unacceptable from a dialectical point of view.
The main tools of research were means of observing facts and logical means - comparison, selection, generalization, abstraction, classification, definitions of concepts, inferences, hypotheses etc.
This means that the article that your Matvey Belov brought to your Leonid Seregin does not set out hypothesis Soviet scientist Agreste about visits to Earth by inhabitants of distant worlds?
Well,” said Sentsov, “we accept Azarov’s assumption as a working one.” hypothesis.
All the time while Matrosov was talking about his beloved hypothesis, Marina looked at him with the same admiration as he looked at her in the Brest Fortress when she spoke about the accumulation of energy in the magnetic field of superconductors.
Hypothesis the complexity of elements is also fully consistent with the phenomena of allotropy. Various substances, conventionally considered as simple, can appear in several forms, possessing completely different properties.
And the fate of Solzhenitsyn, and the fate of Galich, and the fates of thousands of other dissidents arrested or exiled, as well as the fate of Amalrik himself, refute it hypothesis about the lack of police enthusiasm in the regime.
This is where Vaynek remembered hypothesis about the anisotropy of space: some directions are energetically more favorable, others less so, and the fine structure of space is such that when moving in a straight line, and along other ordinary trajectories, energy costs in all directions are averaged, and the anisotropy of space becomes invisible.
In particular, we wanted to find arguments in favor of hypotheses that Antarctica is a continent, and not an archipelago of islands hidden under the ice.
Experimental data confirms the fantastic hypothesis space bubbles, but he can’t help himself: bubbles, like Rorik Harutyunyan, are unpleasant to him.
Comparing them with the bioluminescence of their oceans, some Europeans suggested that they were living beings, but their excessive brightness contradicted this hypothesis.
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire and de Blainville disputed from different points of view hypothesis Cuvier, and this extremely interesting debate, based on paleontology, was recently resumed in a slightly modified form: Professor Huxley and Owen are one opponent, the other defender of this hypothesis.
This scheme, of course, is quite idealistic, but, considered as hypotheses, it has one advantage: if implemented, the state will be able to realistically determine the extent of the problem of the lower class and at the same time understand its own capabilities that can be used to solve it.
However, only Alfred Wegener formulated this hypothesis, which immediately became the subject of heated debate.
twentieth centuries even arose hypothesis, that all the foundations of the Old Testament teachings were borrowed from Babylon.
Hypothesis- this is a statement that requires evidence, acts as assumptions or guesses. A hypothesis can act as a form of development of the scientific side of knowledge, by clarifying the properties of the objects being studied and experimental evidence of the assumptions made. It acts only as a conditional preliminary explanation of the causes, properties or other characteristics and processes relating to the object of study. This guess does not represent a stable true or false statement that requires verification and subsequent proof or refutation, after which this assumption ceases to exist as a hypothetical and takes the form of a proven or false fact.
Hypothesizing is a fundamental tool in psychological research and a way to expand knowledge. Thus, at the first stages, the research problem is posed, an object is selected, then a hypothetical component is developed, based on which, appropriate experimental methods are determined and current methods of collecting data for information analysis are identified, after which a logical verification of the put forward assumption is carried out for truth.
A confirmed statement is not a structure closed to change. After proof or refutation of the put forward assumption, it is possible to make additions and adjustments, subject to the presence or emergence of new, not taken into account or previously unknown factors, however, the guess itself will retain its constant value.
The assumption put forward in the study can be of both general and specific application, have varying depths of newly acquired knowledge, relate to clearly defined areas, or be at the intersection of sciences, promoting mutual integration. The ways in which hypothetical premises arise are also different, which depends on the characteristics of the author’s thinking, since the mechanism for their generation is similar to the mechanism for creating a new creative idea. The assumption can be intuitive and logical.
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a scientific research proposal, the authenticity of which remains to be established. The semantic load of this assumption concerns the identification of the presence (absence) of certain causes (connections, consequences) between the processes (phenomena) established by the researcher. In the course of constructing and carrying out research, which has as its essence the determination of the truth or falsity of an assumption, the very formulation of the proposed statement may undergo adjustments and clarifications.
The hypothesis method represents an integrated approach, the result of which is the establishment, definition and expansion of theories and principles that explain the surrounding reality. Initially, theoretical familiarization with the phenomenon being studied and attempts to explain it through existing patterns are used. In the absence of a description of the necessary patterns, the researcher independently puts forward possible assumptions about the determinations and patterns of the phenomena of interest, from among which he selects the most probable. Next, the hypothetical assumption, using theoretical methods, is checked for the degree of compliance with the necessary theories and principles, processed and adjusted in accordance with them. In conclusion, an experimental verification of the put forward assumption is carried out.
A hypothetical assumption is a statement that satisfies the following characteristics: includes one (rarely more than one) statement; the processes and categories that are components of a guess should not imply ambiguity of interpretation and be clearly and unambiguously defined by the researcher; the statement must be verifiable, based on certain facts and have a simple logical structure.
The hypothesis method includes the stages of putting forward (where it is formulated taking into account all the above requirements) and testing a certain hypothesis put forward (depending on the outcome of the test - the statement either becomes a theory that is included in direct practical use, or is discarded or undergoes changes and becomes the basis for generating new ones ideas).
Conjectures can be roughly divided into theoretical and empirical. The first ones cover checking for the absence of contradictions, the possibility of research, and compliance with the theory within which the assumption is put forward. The empirical elements cover observational and experimental investigation of the factors provided.
In order for a hypothesis to be included in a theory, a long process of integration must go through, as a result of which the former theoretical conclusion must become consistent with the explanations of the phenomena defined by the theory. Theory is a permanent established form, a principle of interaction, cause-and-effect relationships that reflect the mechanisms of functioning of certain areas of reality. Theoretical patterns emerge as a result of repeated research and testing, testing the consistency of hypothetical premises, and disseminating the results.
When planning a study, one should take into account and refer to already known facts and theories relating to the chosen topic, as well as take into account the non-banality of the hypothetical premise and the need to prove it.
When formulating assumptions, mistakes can be made; to avoid them, it is necessary to take into account some features. Thus, the hypothesis should be formulated in terms of the scientific field to which it concerns, and correspond to previously studied data regarding the identified problems (in the case of absolute uniqueness and independence of the hypothesis, it should not contradict existing theories).
Types of hypotheses
When considering hypotheses, their types are identified, based on different classification principles. The main difference between hypothetical assumptions is determined by the cognitive functions presented, and also classified according to the object of study. According to cognitive functions, subtypes are distinguished: descriptive hypothesis and explanatory. Descriptive refers to the properties that are characteristic of an object, its structure, composition, and functioning features.
The descriptive one can also concern the existence of something (existential hypothesis), an example of such conclusions is the idea of the existence and possible location of Atlantis.
The explanatory type of hypothesis considers the mechanism and conditionality of the occurrence of an object, natural phenomenon or designated research events.
If you trace the historical chronology of the emergence of the described types of hypotheses, you will notice a characteristic logical pattern. Initially, in the course of scientific interest in a certain chosen field, conjectures of the existential spectrum arise. Subject to proof of the existence of something, descriptive hypotheses arise that study objects that exist in reality and their properties, and only then explanatory hypothetical assumptions arise that seek to clarify the mechanisms of formation and emergence. With further study of the object, the hypotheses become more complex and detailed.
Depending on the characteristics and scale of the object of study, general (this includes patterns of connection between natural and social phenomena, the functioning of the psyche, which have planetary confirmation) and specific (properties of specific individual manifestations, events, a selected separate group of objects, parts of the psyche) hypothetical conclusions are distinguished.
At the initial stages of constructing a study, a working hypothesis is formulated (the main one will be developed later), which is a conditional formulation, with the presence and help of which it is possible to collect and systematize primary data. With further analysis of the results obtained, the working hypothesis may remain and take a stable form, or undergo adjustments due to incompatibility with the facts discovered during the study.
Based on the type of origin, hypotheses are divided into:
— hypotheses based on reality (to confirm the relevance of a certain theoretical model);
— scientific and experimental (establishing the determination of various patterns);
— empirical (were formulated for a specific case and cannot be used for mass explanation);
— experimental hypotheses (necessary for organizing the experiment and actual confirmation);
— statistical hypotheses (necessary for comparing the parameters involved and influencing the reliability).
Statistical hypothesis
Statistical is an unproven experimental assumption about the quantitative distribution of certain designated probabilities underlying the study. This is the compliance of the sample with a certain classical normative distribution or the coincidence of defining numerical characteristics.
Statistical hypothesis, as a method, has its application when the data from testing a previously put forward hypothesis cannot be interpreted as a justification for determining a hypothetical assumption, since the analysis of their result is considered unimportant.
In the psychological field, the statistical hypothesis is used when formulating a statement about the insignificant level of differences in the obtained indicators in experimental and control samples. The assumption of this direction is verified by the methods of mathematical statistics. The level of significance is affected by the sample size and the number of observations made.
The process of working with the use of a statistical hypothesis comes down to drawing up two premises: putting forward the main hypothesis (null hypothesis) and an alternative assumption that denies the first one. When comparing results in two samples, the null guess indicates an insignificant difference in the results, and the alternative one indicates the presence of a significant difference.
The hypothesis is tested for reliability using special statistical criteria, parametric and non-parametric, the choice of which depends on the characteristics of the data array used. Parametric criteria have in their calculation various previously defined parameters of the probability distribution (variance, mean, standard deviation). Nonparametric criteria do not have the parameters of a probability distribution in their calculation; they operate with ranks and frequency; their use is most relevant when the researcher has limited information about the characteristics of the sample.
Accordingly, at the time of choosing statistical criteria, the researcher must have the maximum amount of information about the sample and the indicators with which he is working in order to select the correct and adequate package of static methods. The important point is to give priority to static criteria that are easiest for the researcher to understand and most convenient to use.
A hypothesis is an argument about a particular phenomenon, which is based on the subjective view of a person directing his actions in some established direction. If the result is not yet known to the person, then a generalized assumption is created, and checking it allows you to adjust the overall focus of the work. This is the scientific concept of a hypothesis. Is it possible to simplify the meaning of this concept?
Explanation in “non-scientific” language
A hypothesis is the ability to predict, predict the results of work, and this is the most important component of virtually every scientific discovery. It helps to calculate future errors and blunders and reduce their number significantly. In this case, a hypothesis generated directly during work can be partially proven. If the result is known, there is no point in the assumption, and then no hypotheses are put forward. This is a simple definition of the concept of hypothesis. Now we can talk about how it is built and discuss its most interesting types.
How is a hypothesis born?
Creating an argument in the human mind is not a simple thought process. The researcher must be able to create and update acquired knowledge, and he must also have the following qualities:
- Problem vision. This is the ability to show the paths of scientific development, establish its main trends and connect disparate tasks together. Combines the problem vision with the already acquired skills and knowledge, instinct and abilities of a person in research.
- Alternative character. This trait allows a person to draw interesting conclusions and find something completely new in known facts.
- Intuition. This term refers to an unconscious process and is not based on logical reasoning.
What is the essence of the hypothesis?
A hypothesis reflects objective reality. In this it is similar to different forms of thinking, but it is also different from them. The main specificity of a hypothesis is that it reflects facts in the material world in a conjectural manner; it does not assert categorically and reliably. Therefore, a hypothesis is an assumption.
Everyone knows that when establishing a concept through the closest genus and difference, it will also be necessary to indicate distinctive features. The closest genus for a hypothesis in the form of any result of an activity is the concept of “assumption”. What is the difference between a hypothesis and a guess, fantasy, prediction, guessing? The most shocking hypotheses are not based on speculation alone; they all have certain characteristics. To answer this question, you will need to identify essential features.
Features of the hypothesis
If we talk about this concept, then it is worth establishing its characteristic features.
- A hypothesis is a special form of development of scientific knowledge. It is hypotheses that allow science to move from individual facts to a specific phenomenon, generalization of knowledge and knowledge of the laws of development of a particular phenomenon.
- A hypothesis is based on making assumptions that are associated with a theoretical explanation of certain phenomena. This concept acts as a separate judgment or a whole line of interrelated judgments, natural phenomena. Judgment is always problematic for researchers, because this concept speaks of probabilistic theoretical knowledge. It happens that hypotheses are put forward on the basis of deduction. An example is K. A. Timiryazev’s shocking hypothesis about photosynthesis. It was confirmed, but initially it all started from assumptions in the law of conservation of energy.
- A hypothesis is an educated guess that is based on some specific facts. Therefore, a hypothesis cannot be called a chaotic and subconscious process; it is a completely logical and logical mechanism that allows a person to expand his knowledge to obtain new information - to understand objective reality. Again, we can recall the shocking hypothesis of N. Copernicus about the new heliocentric system, which revealed the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun. He outlined all his ideas in the work “On the Rotation of the Celestial Spheres”, all guesses were based on a real factual basis and the inconsistency of the then still valid geocentric concept was shown.
These distinctive features, taken together, will distinguish a hypothesis from other types of assumption, as well as establish its essence. As you can see, a hypothesis is a probabilistic assumption about the causes of a particular phenomenon, the reliability of which cannot now be verified and proven, but this assumption allows us to explain some of the causes of the phenomenon.
It is important to remember that the term “hypothesis” is always used in a dual sense. A hypothesis is an assumption that explains a phenomenon. A hypothesis is also spoken of as a method of thinking that puts forward some assumption, and then develops the development and proof of this fact.
A hypothesis is often constructed in the form of an assumption about the cause of past phenomena. As an example, we can cite our knowledge of the formation of the solar system, the earth's core, the birth of the earth, and so on.
When does a hypothesis cease to exist?
This is only possible in a couple of cases:
- The hypothesis receives confirmation and turns into a reliable fact - it becomes part of the general theory.
- The hypothesis is refuted and becomes only false knowledge.
This can happen during hypothesis testing, when the accumulated knowledge is sufficient to establish the truth.
What is included in the structure of a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is built from the following elements:
- basis - the accumulation of various facts, statements (whether justified or not);
- form - the accumulation of various conclusions that will lead from the basis of a hypothesis to an assumption;
- assumption - conclusions from facts, statements that describe and justify a hypothesis.
It is worth noting that hypotheses are always the same in logical structure, but they differ in content and functions performed.
What can be said about the concept of hypothesis and types?
In the process of the evolution of knowledge, hypotheses begin to differ in cognitive qualities, as well as in the object of study. Let's take a closer look at each of these types.
Based on their functions in the cognitive process, descriptive and explanatory hypotheses are distinguished:
- A descriptive hypothesis is a statement that speaks about the inherent properties of the object under study. Typically, an assumption allows us to answer the questions “What is this or that object?” or “What properties does the object have?” This type of hypothesis can be put forward in order to identify the composition or structure of an object, reveal its mechanism of action or features of its activity, and determine functional features. Among descriptive hypotheses there are existential hypotheses, which speak about the existence of some object.
- An explanatory hypothesis is a statement based on the reasons for the appearance of a particular object. Such hypotheses make it possible to explain why a certain event occurred or what are the reasons for the appearance of an object.
History shows that with the development of knowledge, more and more existential hypotheses appear that tell about the existence of a specific object. Next, descriptive hypotheses appear that tell about the properties of those objects, and finally explanatory hypotheses are born that reveal the mechanism and reasons for the appearance of the object. As you can see, there is a gradual complication of the hypothesis in the process of learning new things.
What hypotheses are there for the object of study? There are general and private.
- General hypotheses help to substantiate assumptions about natural relationships and empirical regulators. They act as a kind of scaffolding in the development of scientific knowledge. Once hypotheses are proven, they become scientific theories and contribute to science.
- A partial hypothesis is an assumption with justification about the origin and quality of facts, events or phenomena. If there was a single circumstance that caused the appearance of other facts, then knowledge takes the form of hypotheses.
- There is also such a type of hypothesis as a working one. This is an assumption put forward at the beginning of the study, which is a conditional assumption and allows you to combine facts and observations into a single whole and give them an initial explanation. The main specificity of the working hypothesis is that it is accepted conditionally or temporarily. It is extremely important for the researcher to systematize the acquired knowledge given at the beginning of the study. Afterwards they will need to be processed and a further route to be outlined. A working hypothesis is exactly what is needed for this.
What is a version?
The concept of a scientific hypothesis has already been clarified, but there is another such unusual term - version. What it is? In political, historical or sociological research, as well as in forensic investigative practice, often when explaining certain facts or their combination, a number of hypotheses are put forward that can explain the facts in different ways. These hypotheses are called versions.
There are public and private versions.
- The general version is an assumption that tells about the crime as a whole in the form of a single system of certain circumstances and actions. This version answers not just one, but a whole series of questions.
- A partial version is an assumption that explains the individual circumstances of a crime. From private versions, one general version is built.
What standards must a hypothesis meet?
The very concept of a hypothesis in the rules of law must meet certain requirements:
- it cannot have several theses;
- the judgment must be framed clearly and logically;
- the argument should not include judgments or concepts of an ambiguous nature that cannot yet be clarified by the researcher;
- the judgment must include a method for solving the problem in order to become part of the study;
- when presenting an assumption, it is prohibited to use value judgments, because the hypothesis must be confirmed by facts, after which it will be tested and applied to a wide range;
- the hypothesis must correspond to a given topic, subject of research, tasks; all assumptions unnaturally tied to the topic are eliminated;
- the hypothesis cannot contradict existing theories, but there are exceptions.
How is a hypothesis developed?
A person's hypotheses are a thought process. Of course, it is difficult to imagine a general and unified process for constructing a hypothesis: all because the conditions for developing an assumption depend on practical activities and on the specifics of a particular problem. However, it is still possible to identify the general boundaries of the stages of the thought process that lead to the emergence of a hypothesis. This:
- putting forward a hypothesis;
- development;
- examination.
Now we need to consider each stage of the emergence of the hypothesis.
Proposing a hypothesis
To put forward a hypothesis, you will need to have some facts related to a certain phenomenon, and they must justify the probability of the assumption, explain the unknown. Therefore, first there is a collection of materials, knowledge and facts related to a specific phenomenon, which will be further explained.
Based on the materials, an assumption is made about what this phenomenon is, or, in other words, a hypothesis is formulated in a narrow sense. An assumption in this case is a certain judgment that is expressed as a result of processing the collected facts. The facts on which the hypothesis is based can be logically understood. This is how the main content of the hypothesis appears. The assumption must answer questions about the essence, causes of the phenomenon, and so on.
Development and verification
Once a hypothesis is put forward, its development begins. If we assume the assumption made to be true, then a number of definite consequences should appear. In this case, logical consequences cannot be identified with the conclusions of the cause-and-effect chain. Logical consequences are thoughts that explain not only the circumstances of a phenomenon, but also the reasons for its occurrence, and so on. Comparing the facts from the hypothesis with already established data allows you to confirm or refute the hypothesis.
This is only possible as a result of testing the hypothesis in practice. A hypothesis is always generated by practice, and only practice can decide whether a hypothesis is true or false. Testing in practice allows you to transform a hypothesis into reliable knowledge about the process (whether it is false or true). Therefore, one should not reduce the truth of a hypothesis to a specific and unified logical action; When checking in practice, different methods and methods of proof or refutation are used.
Confirmation or refutation of the hypothesis
The work hypothesis is often used in the scientific world. This method allows you to confirm or refute individual facts in legal or economic practice through perception. Examples include the discovery of the planet Neptune, the discovery of clean water in Lake Baikal, the establishment of islands in the Arctic Ocean, and so on. All this was once hypotheses, but now it is scientifically established facts. The problem is that in some cases it is difficult or impossible to proceed with practice, and testing all assumptions is not possible.
For example, now there is a shocking hypothesis that modern Russian is deeper than Old Russian, but the problem is that it is now impossible to hear oral Old Russian speech. It is impossible to verify in practice whether the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible became a monk or not.
In cases where prognostic hypotheses are put forward, it is inappropriate to expect their immediate and direct confirmation in practice. That is why in the scientific world they use such logical proof or refutation of hypotheses. Logical proof or refutation proceeds in an indirect way, because phenomena from the past or today are learned that are inaccessible to sensory perception.
The main ways of logical proof of a hypothesis or its refutation:
- Inductive way. More complete confirmation or refutation of a hypothesis and the derivation of certain consequences from it thanks to arguments that include laws and facts.
- Deductive way. Derivation or refutation of a hypothesis from a number of other, more general, but already proven ones.
- Inclusion of a hypothesis in the system of scientific knowledge, where it is consistent with other facts.
Logical proof or refutation can take place in the direct or indirect form of proof or refutation.
The important role of hypothesis
Having revealed the problem of the essence and structure of the hypothesis, it is also worth noting its important role in practical and theoretical activity. A hypothesis is a necessary form of development of scientific knowledge; without it it is impossible to understand something new. It plays an important role in the scientific world and serves as the foundation for the formation of virtually every scientific theory. All significant discoveries in science did not arise in a ready-made form; these were the most shocking hypotheses, which sometimes they did not even want to consider.
Everything always starts small. All physics was built on countless shocking hypotheses that were confirmed or refuted by scientific practice. Therefore, it is worth mentioning some interesting ideas.
- Some particles move from the future to the past. Physicists have their own set of rules and prohibitions, which are considered to be canon, but with the advent of tachyons, it would seem that all norms have been shaken. A tachyon is a particle that can violate all accepted laws of physics at once: its mass is imaginary, and it moves faster than the speed of light. The theory has been put forward that tachyons can travel back in time. The particle was introduced by theorist Gerald Feinberg in 1967 and declared that tachyons were a new class of particles. The scientist argued that this is actually a generalization of antimatter. Feinberg had a lot of like-minded people, and the idea took root for a long time, however, refutations still appeared. Tachyons have not completely disappeared from physics, but still no one has been able to detect them either in space or in accelerators. If the hypothesis were true, people would be able to contact their ancestors.
- A drop of water polymer could destroy the oceans. This one of the most shocking hypotheses suggests that water can be transformed into a polymer - this is a component in which individual molecules become links in a large chain. In this case, the properties of water should change. The hypothesis was put forward by chemist Nikolai Fedyakin after an experiment with water vapor. The hypothesis has frightened scientists for a long time, because it was assumed that one drop of an aqueous polymer could turn all the water on the planet into a polymer. However, the refutation of the most shocking hypothesis was not long in coming. The scientist’s experiment was repeated, but no confirmation of the theory was found.
There were a lot of such shocking hypotheses at one time, but many of them were not confirmed after a series of scientific experiments, but they were not forgotten. Fantasy and scientific justification are the two main components for every scientist.
A hypothesis is an argument about certain phenomena of reality, based on a subjective view of the world, which directs an individual’s actions in a certain direction. If the result of an activity is unknown to a person, then first of all a rather generalized assumption is created, the verification of which allows the direction of work to be adjusted. This is the meaning of the word hypothesis.
The ability to predict and make predictions about the results of future work is the most important condition for any scientific discovery. It allows you to calculate everything and reduce the likelihood of errors and misses. The research hypothesis, if it was born directly during the writing of the work, can be partially proven. If the outcome is known exactly, then the assumption makes no sense.
Now that it has become clear what a hypothesis is, we can talk about how it is built. The birth of an argument in a person’s head is not an easy process. A researcher must not only be able to create and update knowledge, but also have the following qualities:
- Problem vision is the ability to imagine the development paths of science, determine its main trends, and connect individual tasks with general ones. It consists of existing knowledge and skills, inner instinct, and research abilities.
- Alternative character - the ability to make unexpected conclusions, to find something new in the known.
- . This term means an unconscious process; unlike a conscious one, it is not based on logical thinking.
Types of assumptions and requirements for them
A scientific hypothesis is based on theory and is more specific than the primary hypothesis. This is an argument about the real connection between phenomena and their justifications, about the presence of a particular phenomenon, quality or consequence. However, the difference between primary and scientific hypotheses is conditional - during study, one transforms into the other.
There are other types of hypotheses. Depending on the content, the assumption can be descriptive, explanatory and theoretical. The first is typical for experimental studies. A descriptive judgment is simply a consideration of the practical relationship between an effect and its consequences, a statement of reasons and intended conclusions. It leads to the assumption that one method will be more effective than another, but does not explain its operation.
A hypothesis as a scientific assumption must meet certain requirements:
- It cannot contain several theses.
- The argument should not include concepts and judgments that have an ambiguous meaning and are not explained by the researcher.
- When presenting an assumption, one should not use value judgments. A hypothesis must be supported by facts, tested and applied to a wide range of realities.
- The judgment must be impeccably stylistically designed, understandable, and logical.
- It must correspond to the topic, objectives and subject of the study. Often interesting assumptions are unnaturally tied to the topic.
- The argument should not lead away from the topic. If many new facts have emerged during the study, it is preferable to develop an assumption rather than include in advance provisions that will take a lot of time to prove and ultimately will not be confirmed.
- A judgment must respond to indisputable facts, interpret them, and identify new ones. The advantage goes to the assumption that explains the most facts equally convincingly.
- A hypothesis cannot contradict proven theories. If the assumption still diverges from some of them, but extends to a wider range of phenomena, then the old theories become its special case.
- The judgment must include a way to solve the problem in order to be part of the study.
Stages of construction and functions of assumptions
The next stage is testing the research hypothesis. Proving the assumption is the main task of future practical work. Judgments that have been justified become theory and are used for introduction into practice. If an assumption is not proven, then it is discarded or used as the basis for new arguments and avenues of study.
Scientific research is impossible without hypotheses.
- They are needed for the synthesis of knowledge, generalization and development of practical information.
- Can be any assumption, working or simplifying.
- Judgments help direct the course of research in the right direction.
- Assumptions are used to interpret experimental evidence or other hypotheses.
- They are used to preserve some hypotheses when new empirical indicators appear or inconsistencies with previous experience are detected.
So, a hypothesis is the most important link in research activity. Without it, no science can move forward, and it is a form of knowledge development. Author: Alexandra Pushkova
