a hypothesis is a testable statement or educated guess that serves as the basis for scientific investigation or research and

hypothesis testable statement educated guess scientific investigation research tentative explanation prediction specific phenomenon natural world method guide structure experiments studies informed falsifiable predictive empirical basis question relevance disconfirmation experiment observation existing knowledge vague specificity formulation objectives problem ifthenquot data analysis process generating communicating replicate findings advancement inquiry systematic approach reports publications investigating understanding structured implications review conclusions researcher information serves essential method