Research & reasoning · Business & strategy · Product & design
Hypothesis.
A proposed explanation or claim that can be investigated against evidence.
Useful when an assumption needs to become a clear subject of investigation.
“Turn our assumption into a hypothesis and describe what observations would support or challenge it.”
A closer look
“People abandon the form because the address step is confusing” proposes an explanation. Investigation can compare alternative explanations and collect relevant observations. Keep the proposed explanation distinct from the evidence already observed and from the decision you eventually make.
Put it to work
“State a hypothesis about the slowdown before selecting measurements that can test it.”
A useful distinction
A hypothesis is not an established finding. Even a plausible explanation needs evidence, and a test may leave several explanations open.