Question

Define hypothesis. Mention clearly the conditions of a legitimate hypothesis.

Hint:

A good hypothesis is testable and falsifiable. Make sure it is clear and grounded in existing knowledge before testing it.

Answer 1

Definition of Hypothesis:
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observable phenomenon or a scientific problem that can be tested through experimentation or observation. It is a testable statement or educated guess based on prior knowledge and observation.
Conditions of a Legitimate Hypothesis:
For a hypothesis to be legitimate, it must meet the following conditions:

Testability: A legitimate hypothesis must be testable through experiments or observations. It must be possible to prove or disprove the hypothesis by gathering evidence.
Clarity: The hypothesis should be clearly and precisely stated. It must be understandable and unambiguous.
Falsifiability: The hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning there must be a potential observation or experiment that could prove it wrong.
Consistency with existing knowledge: A legitimate hypothesis should be consistent with the current body of scientific knowledge and known facts, unless it challenges them with strong evidence.
Simplicity: The hypothesis should be as simple as possible, explaining the phenomenon without unnecessary complexity (Occam's Razor).

Conclusion: A hypothesis is an essential part of the scientific method. For a hypothesis to be legitimate, it must be testable, clear, falsifiable, consistent with existing knowledge, and as simple as possible.