If and then as magic words in formulating hypothesis

An innovative writing by NORVEN G. BAYLAN

Inspired from Jenny Jinks@2008

if [if] (plural ifs) CORE MEANING: a conjunction used to indicate the circumstances that would have to exist in order for an event to happen. Examples: You can come with us if you want to. Are you thinking of buying a new car? If so, talk to us first. then [en] CORE MEANING: an adverb used to indicate a particular time in the past or future. Examples: We were much happier then. Until then, he'll be staying with me. Ultra violet light may cause skin cancer, Growth of plant may be affected by the light from the sun. All of the above mentioned are examples of hypothesis because it use the tentative word "may" But you must careful on how to distinguish a statement like this "The clouds are dark, it might rain"-this is prediction, or if we write "Ultra violet light causes skin cancer" this could be a conclusion. One way to prevent such mistakes is to formalize the form of hypothesis, how to formalized hypothesis, example "If skin cancer is related to ultra violet light, then people with a high exposure to UV light will have a higher frequency of skin". "If pechay is related to rotten leaves, twigs, fruits, flowers, and other decayed plants and animals /humus soil, then exposing pechay to a non-humus soil will result to changes in growth". You will notice that those statements contains words IF and THEN. The two are necessary to formalized hypothesis. But take note not all if and then statement are hypothesis. For example "If I play lotto, then I will get rich" this is a simple prediction. In a formalize hypothesis a tentative relationship is stated, for example if the frequency of winning is related to frequency of buying little tickets "then is followed by a prediction of what will happen if you increase or decrease the frequency of buying ticket. If you keep on asking to yourself that if one thing is related to another, then you should be able to test it. Take note that hypothesis same as tentative answer to a problem, a partial or scientific guess or an educated guess. Valid hypothesis can be tested it means "testable" you need to measure both "what you do" and "what will happen". Often times a hypothesis is written like this "if _____(I do this) ______, then ______(this) _____will "happen" (fill in the blanks with the appropriate information for your own experiment. Concrete examples of hypothesis and identifying the variables. 1. If I open the faucet ( faucet opening size is the independent variable), then it will increase the flow of water (flow of water is the dependent variable). 2. Raising the temperature of a cup of water (temperature is the independent variable) will increase the amount of sugar that dissolve's (the amount of sugar is the independent variable). 3. If a plant receives fertilizer (having fertilizer is the independent variable). Then it will grow to be bigger than a plant that does not receive fertilizer (plant size is the dependent variable). What is a genuine hypothesis? A hypothesis is a statement that proposes a possible answer/explanation to some phenomenon or event. A useful hypothesis is a "testable" statement which may include a prediction. A hypothesis must not be confused with a theory , theories are based on general explanation based on a large amount of data. For example, the Darwin theory of evolution applies to all living things and is based on a wide range of observations. However there are many things about evolution that are not fully understood Such as gaps in the fossils record. Many hypothesis have been proposed and tested. For e-sharing and comments please e-mail gabulenevron@live.com.ph or zandrogabriel@yahoo.com Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.