- 1). Identify your hypothesis. This is the idea that you want to test. For example, if you are studying the effects of cold on the growth of mold, your hypothesis might be that cold slows down mold growth.
- 2). Determine the two things you are comparing with your hypothesis. In this case, you are comparing cold and mold growth. In order for your hypothesis to be valid, you must be able to define and measure both things being compared. Quantify ideas like "cold" and "growth" so that others can objectively evaluate your work.
- 3). Incorporate the null hypothesis into your project outline. The null hypothesis says that there is no, or "null," relationship between the two things that you are comparing. In this case, cold would have no effect on the growth of mold. This is your basis for comparison. Any relationship that you observe will be compared to the null hypothesis using a standard formula assessing statistical significance.
- 4). State your alternative hypothesis. This is what you are trying to prove. It is the alternative to the null hypothesis. For the example study, the alternative hypothesis is that cold slows down mold growth. In an actual study, statistical tests would be used to determine if the observed effect of cold on mold slowed it down enough to be considered scientifically important.
- 5). Write an introductory paragraph to your study stating both the null and alternative hypotheses. Include preliminary information justifying the project, what you expect to see, and how you intend to study it.
- 6). Restate both the null and alternative hypotheses in the results section and in your conclusion. For example, your results section might state that you compared slices of bread left at room temperature with those kept in the refrigerator at 38 degrees Fahrenheit for five days. The one kept at room temperature developed X amount of mold, while the one in the refrigerator developed Y amount. Statistical analysis indicated that the results were strong enough to reject the null hypothesis, and accept the alternative hypothesis that cold slows down mold growth.
- 7). Conclude with a statement of the alternative hypothesis if it was accepted, or the null hypothesis if the study did not support the alternative, and a statement of recommended uses for the information. Be careful when wording your conclusion to avoid making false assumptions on which others may act. If you do not have the data to reject the null hypothesis, this does not mean that alternative hypothesis was false. It only means that your study did not demonstrate it. Conversely, rejecting the null hypothesis does not prove the alternative, it only shows an interesting association worthy of further study.
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