Book contents
- Studying Primates
- Studying Primates
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Asking Questions about Primates
- 2 Ethics in Primatology
- 3 Keeping Science Healthy: Research Integrity
- 4 Inclusive Science
- 5 Understanding Statistical Evidence
- 6 Communicating Ideas in Writing
- 7 Introduction to the Primates
- 8 Why Study Primates?
- 9 Identifying a Research Question
- 10 Finding Out What We Know
- 11 Reading Journal Articles
- 12 Formulating Hypotheses and Predictions and Designing a Study
- 13 Observing and Manipulating
- 14 Choosing Measures
- 15 Planning Data Analysis
- 16 Sampling and Statistical Power
- 17 Checking Feasibility and Finalising Your Plans
- 18 Writing a Research Proposal
- 19 Collecting Data
- 20 Conducting Fieldwork
- 21 Analysing and Interpreting Data
- 22 Writing a Scientific Report
- 23 Submitting to a Peer-Reviewed Journal
- 24 Presenting Your Work at a Conference
- 25 Conclusions
- Index
- References
12 - Formulating Hypotheses and Predictions and Designing a Study
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 September 2019
Book contents
- Studying Primates
- Studying Primates
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Asking Questions about Primates
- 2 Ethics in Primatology
- 3 Keeping Science Healthy: Research Integrity
- 4 Inclusive Science
- 5 Understanding Statistical Evidence
- 6 Communicating Ideas in Writing
- 7 Introduction to the Primates
- 8 Why Study Primates?
- 9 Identifying a Research Question
- 10 Finding Out What We Know
- 11 Reading Journal Articles
- 12 Formulating Hypotheses and Predictions and Designing a Study
- 13 Observing and Manipulating
- 14 Choosing Measures
- 15 Planning Data Analysis
- 16 Sampling and Statistical Power
- 17 Checking Feasibility and Finalising Your Plans
- 18 Writing a Research Proposal
- 19 Collecting Data
- 20 Conducting Fieldwork
- 21 Analysing and Interpreting Data
- 22 Writing a Scientific Report
- 23 Submitting to a Peer-Reviewed Journal
- 24 Presenting Your Work at a Conference
- 25 Conclusions
- Index
- References
Summary
A clearly defined research question allows us to formulate hypotheses that propose possible answers to that question. From these hypotheses, we can then derive specific, unambiguous predictions that allow us to test their validity with empirical data. Hypotheses and predictions serve to narrow down the infinite possibilities for data collection and determine the data we need to collect. In this chapter I cover formulating hypotheses and predictions, then explain that we often use proxies to test predictions and how practical constraints influence our thinking.
Keywords
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Studying PrimatesHow to Design, Conduct and Report Primatological Research, pp. 157 - 166Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019
References
12.10 Further Reading
Barnard, C, Gilbert, F, McGregor, P. 2011. Asking Questions in Biology: A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects. 4th edn. Harlow: Benjamin Cummings. An excellent introduction to the research process in biology. Chapter 2 covers the art of framing hypotheses and predictions.Google Scholar
Field, A, Hole, G. 2003. How to Design and Report Experiments. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Chapter 3 includes simple and more sophisticated experimental designs.Google Scholar
Hailman, JP, Strier, KB. 2006. Planning, Proposing, and Presenting Science Effectively. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 1 includes formulating hypotheses and devising testable predictions.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stamp, Dawkins M. 2007. Observing Animal Behaviour: Design and Analysis of Quantitative Data. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 2 covers formulating hypotheses, with a specific focus on observational studies of animal behaviour.CrossRefGoogle Scholar