Research
A specific, testable, falsifiable prediction about a relationship between variables, made before data collection.
Merriam-Webster’s first sense is the research one: “a proposed explanation for something (such as a phenomenon of unknown cause) that is tentatively assumed in order to test whether it agrees with facts that are known or can be determined”, and also “a predicted or anticipated outcome”. From Greek hypotithenai, to put under or suppose — hypo- plus tithenai, to put. First recorded 1846. The dictionary also separates hypothesis from theory and law: a hypothesis is advanced expressly to be tested, a theory explains substantiated data, and a law describes an invariable relation. Conflating them is what makes “only a theory” a misreading.
Merriam-Webster is cited as the dictionary of record: where an entry defines a word rather than a position, a dictionary is the primary source for it. The research usage described above is this lexicon’s own reading.
From the AJG lexicon archive (July 2026).
Developed by Amit Jain at allfrontierglobal.com
© 2026 All Frontier Global · Panchkula, Haryana, India
Developed by Amit Jain at allfrontierglobal.com · purposed.in · purposed · purposed2 · merchcomp.com · uuka.org
Compiled reference — verify current specifics at the source.
A question, a correction, or something you'd like covered. It goes straight to his inbox — no list, no newsletter.