What is the term for a theory or explanation formed at the start of research that the study is designed to test?

• A. Positivism
• B. Hypothesis
• C. Generalisation
• D. Pilot study

Answer: (B)

A hypothesis is the testable statement researchers propose before collecting data. It gives a specific expectation about how variables are related, so the study can gather evidence to support or refute it. This makes the hypothesis a concrete, testable claim you can explore with data, unlike broader ideas or theories. It also differs from a pilot study, which is a small preliminary run to check research methods, not to test a theoretical relationship. Positivism is a philosophical stance about seeking objective knowledge, not the act of formulating a testable claim itself. Generalisation refers to applying findings beyond the sample, not the initial statement being tested. So, the best answer is a hypothesis because it precisely frames what the research is set to test.