Hypothesis Testing Workflow

This skill guides you through rigorous hypothesis development and testing methodology.

Phase 1: Observation and Question

Starting Point Analysis

• What observation or phenomenon prompted this inquiry?
• What patterns or anomalies are you seeing?
• What existing knowledge is relevant?

Research Question Formulation

Good research questions are:

• Focused: Specific enough to answer
• Researchable: Can be investigated empirically
• Complex: Requires analysis, not just facts
• Arguable: Has multiple possible answers

Question Types

CHECKPOINT: Confirm research question with user.

Phase 2: Hypothesis Construction

Hypothesis Components

If [independent variable/condition]
Then [dependent variable/outcome]
Because [theoretical mechanism]

Null vs Alternative Hypothesis

• H₀ (Null): No effect/relationship exists
• H₁ (Alternative): Effect/relationship exists

Example:

• H₀: Training method has no effect on performance
• H₁: Training method improves performance

Hypothesis Quality Check

• Is it testable with available methods?
• Is it falsifiable (can be proven wrong)?
• Does it make specific predictions?
• Is it parsimonious (simplest explanation)?
• Is it consistent with existing knowledge?
• Does it specify the mechanism?

Phase 3: Variable Mapping

Variable Identification

Operationalization Criteria

For each variable:

• Concrete, observable indicators
• Reliable measurement method
• Valid representation of construct
• Appropriate scale (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)

Phase 4: Prediction Generation

Specific Predictions

From your hypothesis, derive:

1. If H₁ true: [Specific observable outcome]
2. If H₀ true: [Expected null result]
3. Effect direction: [Increase/decrease/differ]
4. Effect magnitude: [Expected size]

Boundary Conditions

• Under what conditions should hypothesis hold?
• Where might it not apply?
• What would moderate the effect?

CHECKPOINT: Validate predictions align with user's research goals.

Phase 5: Design Selection

Experimental vs Observational

Can you manipulate the IV?
├── Yes → Experimental design
│   ├── Random assignment possible? → True experiment
│   └── No random assignment? → Quasi-experiment
└── No → Observational design
    ├── Over time? → Longitudinal
    └── Single point? → Cross-sectional

Design Options

Control Strategies

Phase 6: Confound Mitigation

Confound Analysis

For each potential confound:

1. How could it affect the DV?
2. How might it correlate with the IV?
3. What's the mitigation strategy?

Mitigation Strategies

Phase 7: Falsifiability Statement

Define Falsification Criteria

Specify exactly what results would falsify H₁:

• What outcome pattern rejects the hypothesis?
• What effect size is too small to matter?
• What statistical threshold applies?

Pre-registration Elements

• Hypothesis (before seeing data)
• Analysis plan (before seeing data)
• Sample size justification
• Exclusion criteria
• Success/failure criteria

Phase 8: Documentation

Output Structure

# Hypothesis Development: [Topic]

## Research Question
[Clearly stated question]

## Hypotheses
- H₀: [Null hypothesis]
- H₁: [Alternative hypothesis]
- Mechanism: [Why we expect this]

## Variables
| Variable | Type | Operationalization |
|----------|------|-------------------|
| [Name] | [Type] | [Definition] |

## Predictions
1. If H₁: [Expected outcome]
2. If H₀: [Expected outcome]
3. Effect size: [Expected magnitude]

## Design
- Type: [Design name]
- Justification: [Why this design]

## Confounds and Controls
| Confound | Risk | Mitigation |
|----------|------|------------|
| [Name] | [Level] | [Strategy] |

## Falsification Criteria
[Specific conditions that would reject H₁]

## Feasibility Notes
- Resources needed: [List]
- Ethical considerations: [List]
- Timeline estimate: [Estimate]