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Difference Between Thesis and Hypothesis
Main difference – thesis vs hypothesis .
Thesis and hypothesis are two common terms that are often found in research studies. Hypothesis is a logical proposition that is based on existing knowledge that serves as the starting point of an investigation. A thesis is a statement that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved. The main difference between thesis and hypothesis is that thesis is found in all research studies whereas a hypothesis is mainly found in experimental quantitative research studies.
This article explains,
1. What is a Thesis? – Definition, Features, Function
2. What is a Hypothesis? – Definition, Features, Function
What is a Thesis
The word thesis has two meanings in a research study. Thesis can either refer to a dissertation or a thesis statement. Thesis or dissertation is the long essay or document that consists of the research study. Thesis can also refer to a theory or statement that is used as a premise to be maintained or proved.
The thesis statement in a research article is a sentence found at the beginning of the paper that presents the main argument of the paper. The rest of the document will gather, organize and present evidence to support this argument. The thesis statement will basically present the topic of the paper and indicate what position the researcher is going to take in relation to this topic. A thesis statement can generally be found at the end of the first paragraph (introductory paragraph) of the paper.
What is a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a logical assumption based on available evidence. Hypothesis is defined as “a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation” in the Oxford dictionary and as “an idea or theory that is not proven but that leads to further study or discussion” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. In simple words, it is an educated guess that is not proven with concrete scientific evidence. Once it is scientifically tested and proven, it becomes a theory. However, it is important to note that a hypothesis can be accurate or inaccurate.
Hypotheses are mostly used in experiments and research studies. However, hypotheses are not used in every research study. They are mostly used in quantitative research studies that deal with experiments. Hypotheses are often used to test a specific model or theory . They can be used only when the researcher has sufficient knowledge about the subject since hypothesis are always based on the existing knowledge. Once the hypothesis is built, the researcher can find and analyze data and use them to prove or disprove the hypothesis.
Thesis: A thesis is a “statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved” or a “long essay or dissertation involving personal research, written by a candidate for a university degree” (Oxford dictionary).
Hypothesis: A hypothesis is “a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation” (Oxford dictionary).
Thesis: Thesis statement can be found in all research papers.
Hypothesis: Hypotheses are usually found in experimental quantitative research studies.
Thesis: Thesis statement may explain the hypothesis and how the researcher intends to support it.
Hypothesis: Hypothesis is an educated guess based on the existing knowledge.
Image Courtesy:
“Master’s Thesis” by Henri Sivonen (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
“Colonial Flagellate Hypothesis” By Katelynp1 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
About the Author: Hasa
Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.
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A hypothesis is typically narrower in scope compared to a thesis. It focuses on a specific question or problem and proposes a possible explanation or solution. In contrast, a thesis is broader in scope as it presents an overarching argument or claim that encompasses the entire …
A thesis is a central idea or argument presented in an essay or research, while a hypothesis is a testable prediction made before research begins.
A hypothesis is a statement that can be proved or disproved. It is typically used in quantitative research and predicts the relationship between variables. A thesis statement is a short, direct sentence that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay or research paper.
A "thesis" demands substantial evidence or analysis for validation and is central to a dissertation or essay, guiding its direction and purpose. On the other hand, a "hypothesis" is speculative, anticipating that future research or …
Thesis: A thesis presents a clear and definitive statement or argument that summarizes the main point of a research paper or essay. Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a tentative and testable proposition or educated guess that …
A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your experiment or data collection.