Hypothesis vs Prediction

The terms “hypothesis” and “prediction” are often used interchangeably by some people. However, this should not be the case because the two are completely different. While a hypothesis is a guess that is predominantly used in science, a prediction is a guess that is mostly accepted out of science.

A hypothesis is otherwise known as a good or intelligent guess. It assumes the nature of the less known or even the unknown. Being described as intelligent would mean that hypotheses are based on a series of experiments and are grounded by facts. By using the gathered facts, a hypothesis tends to create relationships between different variables which will serve as the source of a more concrete and scientific explanation.

For example, a hypothesis can be formulated from analyzing the relationship of the learner’s study habits and the level of test anxiety experienced during an examination. It is also because of the linking of variables (dependent and independent) that often make hypotheses structurally longer than predictions.

Moreover, hypotheses are testable guesses about the things that you’d expect to take place in your research study. Aside from generating a conclusion, formulating hypotheses is another aim of experimentation.

By contrast, a prediction is much harder to define because there are many variations of predictions depending on what situation or context you’re trying to look at. Like a hypothesis, it is still another type of guess that can either be scientific or fictional (even prophetic). But because of the latter, it comes as no surprise that many associate predictions with guesses that come straight out from someone’s mind.

A person who predicts usually has little or no knowledge of the subject matter being predicted although there are some predictions that may still be based on observable facts. With fictional predictions, however, you will usually encounter guessing the possible outcomes or events. One of the popular predictions today is the prediction of the end of the days which is bound to take place late in the year 2012. This will also lead to associating predictions with self-proclaimed prophets and fortunetellers alike.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is the methodology of proving each of them. A prediction can actually be proven either wrong or right with the non-occurrence or occurrence of a certain event. And the story ends after that. A hypothesis is a different story because its proving methods can be done in multiple stages. This means that one scientist can disprove a hypothesis today by using his scientific system, and later on another scientist can prove that it is actually correct using another type of scientific tool.

Summary:

1.A hypothesis is a more intelligent guess.
2.Hypotheses analyze the relationships between existing variables.
3.Hypotheses are usually structured longer than predictions.
4.Predictions are often fictional which are a pure guess with no factual bases.
5.Predictions are linked to foretelling future events.
6.Predictions can be proven only once while a hypothesis can still end up as a hypothesis even if it has already been proven because another scientific inquiry might prove it contrary in the future.

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