Saturday, June 5, 2010

How to create a hypothesis to form an argument

How to create a hypothesis to form an argument
A hypothesis is a very clear assertion of what you intend to find through your research based on previous work by others on the topic. It is based on a claim and reason.
The athletes will be champions because they practiced extensively.
Keep in mind that your hypothesis should be based on what has been observed or researched, making it possible to prove or disprove based on empirical data. Avoid making claims that are debatable but cannot be backed up by data, such as topics relating to opinions, personal beliefs or religion.
The athletes will be champions because god is on their side. Will not work because there is no way to empirically test whether god is on their side, even if it is your personal or widely held belief.
The athletes will be champions because they practiced extensively. This hypothesis works because data could be collected on how long and frequently the team practiced compared to other teams.
An important piece of writing an effective hypothesis is basing it on what you have observed or researched, not necessarily on your personal opinion. The reason backing your claim should be able to cite a source, such as another scholar’s work on the subject. Your hypothesis should be based on what you would expect to happen based on the pre-existing information available on the subject.
In order to develop a strong argument from your hypothesis, focus on how you can falsify your hypothesis. Think of your hypothesis as a starting point for your research, which will be focused on disproving your original idea. Through this critical eye you will be able to add your own ideas to the subject through your research in the field.
For my Second project in writ 1133, I examined virtual communities. Take a look at my hypothesis.
“Based on the writings of Rheingold and Postman, I believe that facebook users will have reduced the amount of meaningful interactions on the site since they joined the network.”
My claim is that facebook users have changed their patterns of use, and my reason is the writings of Howard Rheingold and Neil Postman back this up. My reason is slightly more ambiguous at this point because the reader does not yet know the opinions of the two authors, but I explain them later on. Make sure to provide examples and justifications quickly afterwards if this portion is not immediately clear.

Assignment
Develop your own hypothesis on an issue discussed in a local paper opinion section. Bring in a copy of the article you read, your hypothesis, and a paragraph on how this person’s essay lead you to your claim.

No comments:

Post a Comment