untested hypotheses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "untested hypotheses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to scientific research, theory development, or discussions about ideas that have not yet been empirically validated. Example: "In our study, we will focus on several untested hypotheses that could lead to new insights in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Unfortunately the practice of medicine is rife with other examples of untested hypotheses.

The New York Times

But philosophy is embroiled in the "Science Wars", where Popper's faith in progress by conjecture and refutation has been demonstrated by Thomas Kuhn to be naive in explaining why science undergoes revolutions - why theories persist when confronted by overwhelming contradictory evidence, and yet suddenly or prematurely collapse in the face of other, as yet untested, hypotheses.

The Guardian - Opinion

Worse, they peddle their untested hypotheses to governments, and try to get them turned into policies.The Campbell Collaboration, whose second annual conference has just taken place in Philadelphia, exists to change both this perception and the reality behind it by advancing the cause of "evidence-based" social policy.

The Economist

Despite drawing from primary literature, the main arguments in the book are largely untested hypotheses.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Lean assumes that on day one, founders start with a series of untested hypotheses about their potential customers, the ideal pricing for their product, their best distribution channels, the costs of operation, and so on.

TechCrunch

And even some of the giants of modern science such as Newton subscribed to the view that scientific theories are directly induced from experimental results and observations without the help of untested hypotheses.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The notion of noosphere, a "planet of the mind," remains an untested hypothesis.

The New York Times

However, until confirmed by experimental results, superstring theory will remain an untested hypothesis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, this is an untested hypothesis that only presents one side of the debate.

Independent

I would argue that in most cases, this is an entirely untested hypothesis.

The New York Times

"Our best guess is that it has to do with 9/11, but that's an untested hypothesis.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific research or new business ventures, clearly identify if the hypotheses are untested to manage expectations and encourage further investigation.

Common error

Avoid presenting "untested hypotheses" as established facts or conclusions. Always acknowledge their speculative nature and the need for further research or validation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "untested hypotheses" functions as a noun phrase that describes scientific or theoretical claims that lack empirical support. It is commonly used to frame research questions or acknowledge the speculative nature of certain ideas. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in the English language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "untested hypotheses" is a grammatically sound phrase frequently encountered in academic, scientific, and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in English writing. It serves to classify ideas lacking empirical validation, encouraging further investigation. Recognizing this usage helps manage expectations and promotes transparent communication in research and discussions. When writing, be sure not to assume the correctness of a hypothesis just because it sounds good; always double-check the research.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unproven theories

Replaces "hypotheses" with "theories", emphasizing the lack of established proof.

unverified assumptions

Substitutes "hypotheses" with "assumptions", highlighting the speculative nature.

unexamined premises

Replaces "hypotheses" with "premises", focusing on the foundation of an argument that hasn't been scrutinized.

speculative conjectures

Uses more emphatic synonyms for both words, conveying a higher degree of uncertainty.

unsubstantiated claims

Emphasizes the lack of supporting evidence for the assertions made.

theoretical postulations

Replaces "hypotheses" with "postulations", focusing on the conceptual or theoretical nature.

unvalidated propositions

Focuses on the lack of validation or confirmation of the ideas.

untested suppositions

Replaces "hypotheses" with "suppositions", highlighting the assumed nature of the ideas.

unconfirmed speculations

Emphasizes the speculative nature and lack of confirmation.

hypotheses lacking empirical support

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the absence of empirical evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "untested hypotheses" in a sentence?

You can use "untested hypotheses" to describe ideas that have not yet been empirically validated, such as: "The research explores several "untested hypotheses" regarding the impact of social media on political polarization." Or "The startup business model is based on a series of "untested hypotheses" about customer behavior."

What are some alternatives to "untested hypotheses"?

Alternatives include "unproven theories", "unverified assumptions", and "speculative conjectures", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does it mean for a hypothesis to be "untested"?

For a hypothesis to be "untested" means that it has not yet been subjected to rigorous experimentation or data analysis to determine its validity. It remains a speculative idea until evidence either supports or refutes it.

In what fields might you encounter "untested hypotheses"?

You might encounter "untested hypotheses" in various fields, including science, business, and social sciences, where new ideas and models are constantly being proposed and require empirical validation. For example, biology, physics, economics, and marketing.