Course – Lesson 3: V. A Hypothesis Guides US
LESSON 3:V – Q+A WITH AUTHORS KATHERINE ORTEGA COURTNEY, PHD AND DOMINIC CAPPELLO
What do the hypothesis and assumption mean?
Katherine Ortega Courtney, PhD responds:
A hypothesis is a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. Assumptions are accepted cause and effect relationships, or estimates of the existence of a fact from the known existence of other fact(s). Although useful in providing basis for action and in creating “what if” scenarios to simulate different realities or possible situations, assumptions are dangerous when accepted as reality without thorough examination.
What is an experiment?
Dominic Cappello responds:
An experiment is a scientific procedure a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis or demonstrate a known fact.
What is the term theory?
Katherine Ortega Courtney, PhD responds:
Theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method, and repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation. As with most forms of scientific knowledge, scientific theories are inductive; that is, they seek to supply strong evidence for but not absolute proof of the truth of the conclusion and they aim for predictive and explanatory force.
If a substantial amount of evidence is gathered that consistently suggests the validity of a hypothesis, the hypothesis can be converted into a theory.
How do data inform innovations?
Dominic Cappello responds:
Data are the information needed to disprove or prove hypotheses; show progress or regress toward measurement goals; and display results.
What are local experiments and innovations and what can they achieve?
Katherine Ortega Courtney, PhD responds:
Local innovations and projects (often these terms are interchangeable) are designed to address a health or safety challenge informed by the assessment phase. They are researched, created and developed by local 100% New Mexico initiative action teams. The projects are implemented and tracked on the agency, city, community and/or county level.
How does one structure an innovation?
Dominic Cappello responds:
To make sure all participants have a shared understanding of an experiment, it is best to create a plan with details about the objective, goals, and activities involved in the experiment. All should understand what changes are involved, the timeline, who plays what role, what data are to be collected, who is to collect the data, how often the data is to be reviewed and what the measurements are that will show progress or regress toward the goals.
How does one get buy-in for an experiment or innovation?
Katherine Ortega Courtney, PhD responds:
Buy-in for an experiment, like any team project, requires communication. The need for an innovation should be based on the results of the assessment phase. Ideally, the action team will agree on a needed innovation based on the assessment, as well as the planning phase. Time constraints are always a concern so a description of how the experiment will be managed needs to be addressed, along with a timeline, how the experiment will be implemented and evaluated.
How can technology help manage an innovation?
Dominic Cappello responds:
Technology affords us the means to research current experiments and evidence-based practices through the Internet. It also affords us the means to collect and store data to be analyzed for an experiment.
How does one create and test a hypothesis?
Katherine Ortega Courtney, PhD responds:
Before creating one’s own hypothesis, it is important to do research to find out if anyone else has tested the same hypothesis and, if so, what the results were.
Creating a hypothesis involves developing a clear statement of what the results will look like if the assumptions about the changes are implemented as described. For example, I predict that I will gain 10 pounds of weight after 3 months if I stop exercising and eat lots of fat. Then, I have to put that statement to the test and find out if I am correct once the 3 months have passed.
How does one evaluate an innovation?
Dominic Cappello responds:
Evaluation of the experiment outlines details about where the experiment stands at a particular time regarding activities and what the measurements look like at this time. It gives us some ideas about how the experiment is going. In order to evaluate my experiment above, I will need to track my activities and diet over the three months as well as my weight. At the end of the three months, the data will show whether or not I have gained the 10 pounds as expected. I could also describe challenges that occurred during the three months.
