Initial hypothesis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Initial hypothesis" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the first proposed explanation or assumption in a research or scientific context. For example, "The initial hypothesis suggested that increased sunlight would enhance plant growth." Alternative expressions include "preliminary hypothesis" and "provisional hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was there anything wrong in your initial hypothesis?

The New Yorker

Our results partially confirm the initial hypothesis.

Forest Ecology and Management

My initial hypothesis is that Tinder is the Grindr for straight people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To overcome the confirmation bias, aggressively seek evidence that challenges your initial hypothesis about a deal.

Harvard Business Review

Our initial hypothesis was also informed by studies suggesting that tattoos are taboo in the workplace.

Harvard Business Review

"Typically, the clinician generates an initial hypothesis merely from a patient's age, sex, appearance, presenting complaints -- and race".

The New York Times - Magazine

We failed to find support for our initial hypothesis that individual species would degrade multiple components of lignocellulose.

Nature

Over time, Bearman rejected his initial hypothesis, as well as his first impressions of his colleagues, but his interest in doormen had taken hold.

The New Yorker

The initial hypothesis was that people would indeed form stereotypes about firms, just as they do about people.

Stanford University

The results showed a significant synergistic effect in stereoselective recognition, confirming our initial hypothesis.

Journal of Chromatography A

Contrary to our initial hypothesis, microbial community composition also did not vary among treatments.

Forest Ecology and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When formulating your "initial hypothesis", ensure it's testable and clearly defines the variables you intend to study. This clarity will streamline your research process and enhance the validity of your findings.

Common error

Avoid using "initial hypothesis" interchangeably with prediction. An "initial hypothesis" is a proposed explanation, while a prediction is a specific statement about what you expect to observe if your hypothesis is correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial hypothesis" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to introduce a proposed explanation at the start of an investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial hypothesis" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term across diverse fields, particularly in scientific research and academic discourse. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It serves the critical function of introducing a proposed explanation or assumption that guides subsequent investigation. While alternatives like "preliminary assumption" or "starting premise" exist, "initial hypothesis" maintains its prevalence due to its clarity and widespread understanding within the research community. Remember to keep your "initial hypothesis" testable and distinct from a mere prediction to ensure a robust and meaningful research endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preliminary assumption

Focuses on the tentative nature of the starting point.

Starting premise

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the hypothesis.

Original conjecture

Highlights the speculative and early-stage nature of the idea.

Initial proposition

Uses a more formal term for a suggested idea.

First theory

Focuses on the theoretical aspect of the initial idea.

Base hypothesis

Emphasizes that this hypothesis will be the base for successive tests.

Primary thesis

Highlights the importance of the hypothesis in the whole context of a scientific investigation.

Early supposition

Emphasizes the temporal aspect (early stage) of the hypothesis.

Opening hypothesis

Similar to "initial hypothesis", but with a stronger emphasis on the act of beginning or opening an investigation.

Foundational hypothesis

This alternative puts the emphasis on the role of the hypothesis as base or foundation for a complex and articulated scientific process.

FAQs

How can I formulate a strong "initial hypothesis"?

A strong "initial hypothesis" should be clear, concise, and testable. It should identify the key variables and propose a relationship between them. A well-formulated hypothesis guides the research process and allows for meaningful interpretation of results.

What is the difference between an "initial hypothesis" and a research question?

An "initial hypothesis" is a testable statement that proposes a possible explanation for a phenomenon. A research question, on the other hand, is a broader question that the study aims to answer. The "initial hypothesis" is often a potential answer to the research question.

How do I know when to reject my "initial hypothesis"?

You should consider rejecting your "initial hypothesis" when the evidence from your research consistently contradicts it. Statistical tests can help determine if the results are significant enough to warrant rejection of the null hypothesis, which is often the opposite of your "initial hypothesis".

What should I do if my results don't support my "initial hypothesis"?

If your results don't support your "initial hypothesis", it doesn't necessarily mean your research was a failure. It simply means that your initial explanation was incorrect. Use the findings to refine your understanding and formulate new "alternative hypothesis" for future investigation.