“That (your hypothesis) is not only not right; it is not even wrong.” - Wolfgang Pauli (Nobel Prize in Physics, 1945)A hypothesis is the cornerstone of the scientific method. Show It is an educated guess about how the world works that integrates knowledge with observation. Everyone appreciates that a hypothesis must be testable to have any value, but there is a much stronger requirement that a hypothesis must meet. A hypothesis is considered scientific only if there is the possibility to disprove the hypothesis. The proof lies in being able to disproveA hypothesis or model is called falsifiable if it is possible to conceive of an experimental observation that disproves the idea in question. That is, one of the possible outcomes of the designed experiment must be an answer, that if obtained, would disprove the hypothesis. Our daily horoscopes are good examples of something that isn’t falsifiable. A
scientist cannot disprove that a Piscean may get a surprise phone call from someone he or she hasn’t heard from in a long time. The statement is intentionally vague. Even if our Piscean didn’t get a phone call, the prediction cannot be false because he or she may get a phone call. They may not. A good scientific hypothesis is the opposite of this. If there is no experimental test to disprove the hypothesis, then it lies outside the realm of science. Scientists all too often generate hypotheses that cannot be tested by experiments whose results have the potential to show that the idea is false. Three types of experiments proposed by scientists
Formulate hypotheses in such a way that you can prove or disprove them by direct experiment. Science advances by conducting the experiments that could potentially disprove our hypotheses. Increase the efficiency and impact of your science by testing clear hypotheses with well-designed experiments. For more on the challenges in experimental science, read our review of Richard Harris’ Rigor Mortis: How Sloppy Science Creates Worthless Cures, Crushes Hope, and Wastes Billions. About the Author
Charles Rock Charles Rock, PhD, is a faculty member in the Infectious Diseases Department and director of the Protein Production Facility at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. View full bio. Related Posts ERIC Number: EJ752646 Record Type: Journal Publication Date: 2006-Sep Pages: 3 Abstractor: ERIC ISBN: N/A ISSN: ISSN-0047-231X EISSN: N/A A Gentle Reminder that a Hypothesis is Never Proven Correct, nor is a Theory Ever Proven to Be True McLaughlin, Jacqueline Journal of College Science Teaching, v36 n1 p60-62 Sep 2006 At present, students and nonscientists still believe that a "theory" is just a mere hunch or a guess and that science is absolute. In this article, the author discusses that it is now time for teachers to correct these misconceptions. Teachers must explain to their students that the facts printed in science textbooks just happen to be the best theories at the moment and they are tentative and open to challenge. The author also urges teachers to remind themselves and those they mentor that a hypothesis is never proven correct and that no amount of experimental testing or evidence can prove anything in science. It is only when the scientist's results match his or her prediction that a hypothesis is supported. National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: ; Web site: http://www.nsta.org Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education Audience: N/A Language: English Sponsor: N/A Authoring Institution: N/A Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A |
Can a hypothesis ever be proven correct?
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