Hypothesis formation

Abstract

A hypothesis is a hunch, an educated guess which is advanced for the purpose of being tested. If research were limited to gathering facts, knowledge could not advance. Without some guiding idea or something to prove, every experiment would be fruitless, since we could not determine what was relevant and what was irrelevant. Try this everyday example of hypothesis formation. Suppose the only light you had on in the bedroom was the bedside table lamp. Suddenly it went off. You would no doubt ponder the reason for it. Try to think of several reasons now and write them down.