Formulation of hypotheses

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Definition

• A Hypothesis is an assumption whose validity we must verify before proceeding with further scientific work.
• Provisional theory is based on descriptive research/statistics, clinical observations, analytical studies, laboratory research, theoretical modeling.

Hypothesis formation methods

Differential method

• If the frequency of occurrence of a disease in two comparative populations (sets) is significantly different'' and if it is possible to identify a factor that is present in one set and not in the other, then we can label this factor as 'cause of disease.
• Example: higher incidence of ca of the cervix in married women - and vice versa lower' incidence in nuns.

Match Method

• If we can find a common factor' in a number of different populations that are characterized by the occurrence of a disease, then this factor could be the cause of the disease.
• Example: Semmelweis came to the conclusion that the cause of teenage fever was some kind of "dead poison" found 'on the hands of the attending obstetric staff.

Method of analogy

• If there are ``certain similarities in the distribution of the observed disease with another disease for which we have more complete information, it would be possible to judge that both diseases have ``some common causes. We use a deductive way of thinking.

Companion Difference Method

• The change in the frequency of the disease occurs in parallel with the change in intensity of the given factor.
• Example: incidence of lung carcinoma increases with the number of cigarettes smoked'.

Links

ws:Formulace hypotéz

Related Articles

• Methodology in epidemiology