experimental hypothesis

n. A specific prediction or explanation of the relationship between target phenomena that is based upon theory, observation, or past research. For example, an experimenter may propose the hypothesis that "children who receive verbal praise for cleaning their own room will demonstrate increased selfefficacy compared to children who receive an allowance for the same behaviors." Hypotheses must be testable and falsifiable; that is, hypotheses must have the possibility of being proven true or false under specific conditions. Research may then be designed to test the accuracy of a hypothesis under specific experimental conditions.

- BJM