Working hypothesis

A working hypothesis is a hypothesis that is provisionally accepted as a basis for further ongoing research^[1] in the hope that a tenable theory will be produced, even if the hypothesis ultimately fails.^[2] Like all hypotheses, a working hypothesis is constructed as a statement of expectations, which can be linked to deductive, exploratory research^[3]^[4] in empirical investigation and is often used as a conceptual framework in qualitative research.^[5]^[6] The term "working" indicates that the hypothesis is subject to change.^[3]

^ Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Eprint via Answers.com.
^ See in "hypothesis", Century Dictionary Supplement, v. 1, 1909, New York: The Century Company. Reprinted, v. 11, p. 616 (via Internet Archive] of the Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia, 1911.
hypothesis [...]—Working hypothesis, a hypothesis suggested or supported in some measure by features of observed facts, from which consequences may be deduced which can be tested by experiment and special observations, and which it is proposed to subject to an extended course of such investigation, with the hope that, even should the hypothesis thus be overthrown, such research may lead to a tenable theory.
^ ^a ^b Casula, Mattia; Rangarajan, Nandhini; Shields, Patricia M. (October 2021). "The potential of working hypotheses for deductive exploratory research". Quality & Quantity. 55 (5): 1703–1725. doi:10.1007/s11135-020-01072-9. PMC 7722257. PMID 33311812.
^ Shields, Patricia and Rangarjan, N. (2013). A Playbook for Research Methods: Integrating Conceptual Frameworks and Project Management. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press. See Chapter 5.
^ Shields, Patricia M.; Tajalli, Hassan (2006). "Intermediate Theory: The Missing Link in Successful Student Scholarship". Journal of Public Affairs Education. 12 (3): 313–334. doi:10.1080/15236803.2006.12001438. hdl:10877/3967. S2CID 141201197.
^ Shields, Patricia M. (1998). "Pragmatism As a Philosophy of Science: A Tool For Public Administration". In Jay D. White (ed.). Research in Public Administration. Vol. 4. pp. 195–225 [211]. hdl:10877/3954. ISBN 1-55938-888-9.

[1] Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Eprint via Answers.com.

[Century-2] See in "hypothesis", Century Dictionary Supplement, v. 1, 1909, New York: The Century Company. Reprinted, v. 11, p. 616 (via Internet Archive] of the Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia, 1911.
hypothesis [...]—Working hypothesis, a hypothesis suggested or supported in some measure by features of observed facts, from which consequences may be deduced which can be tested by experiment and special observations, and which it is proposed to subject to an extended course of such investigation, with the hope that, even should the hypothesis thus be overthrown, such research may lead to a tenable theory.

[QualQuant2021-3] Casula, Mattia; Rangarajan, Nandhini; Shields, Patricia M. (October 2021). "The potential of working hypotheses for deductive exploratory research". Quality & Quantity. 55 (5): 1703–1725. doi:10.1007/s11135-020-01072-9. PMC 7722257. PMID 33311812.

[Playbook-4] Shields, Patricia and Rangarjan, N. (2013). A Playbook for Research Methods: Integrating Conceptual Frameworks and Project Management. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press. See Chapter 5.

[5] Shields, Patricia M.; Tajalli, Hassan (2006). "Intermediate Theory: The Missing Link in Successful Student Scholarship". Journal of Public Affairs Education. 12 (3): 313–334. doi:10.1080/15236803.2006.12001438. hdl:10877/3967. S2CID 141201197.

[6] Shields, Patricia M. (1998). "Pragmatism As a Philosophy of Science: A Tool For Public Administration". In Jay D. White (ed.). Research in Public Administration. Vol. 4. pp. 195–225 [211]. hdl:10877/3954. ISBN 1-55938-888-9.

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