Difference between Hypothesis and Prediction

Hypothesis vs. Prediction: There are several significant concepts that are used in science and statistics. Though, the two main are Hypothesis and prediction. If you have done some simple statistics, you will have a clear picture of what we are talking about. The two words are used to give possible explanations to a couple of phenomena and occurrences. The two can be easily used to formulate new theories which are aimed at affecting future advancements. The two concepts seem easy to understand but in most of the cases, people use them interchangeably. In this brief, we are going to give you a couple of visible differences between the two concepts.

So What is the Difference between Hypothesis and Prediction?

1. Definitions.

There’s a huge difference in the definition of the two. By definition, Hypothesis refers to a supposition that is specifically made on the basis of few or limited evidence. It is a proposed explanation that works as a starting point for further investigation or you can call it a projected explanation for a phenomenon. In simple terms, the prediction is a forecast about a future occurrence. It is a clear statement about something that might occur in the future.

2. Interpretation–

The two words may differ in the way they are interpreted. As a matter of fact, the hypothesis will lead to explaining why something happened. On the other hand, the prediction will lead to interpreting what might happen in the future. The prediction seems to relate to the pre-observed observations.

3. Results

This is another major difference between hypothesis and prediction. Hypothesis will later provide answers or conclusions about an occurrence which later leads to theory. On the other hand, the prediction will just provide assumptions about a future occurrence. It is just a forecast about an occurrence.

4. Structure

Hypothesis has a longer structure as to compare to prediction. As a matter of fact, an occurrence can be interpreted with different kinds of hypothesis which includes null, alternative and research hypothesis. Prediction has a shorter structure because it is perceived as a simple opinion which is specifically based on what might happen in the future.

5. Time span

Hypothesis goes through a couple of testing stages. What this means is that its story doesn’t only end with the testing phase. Actually, someone else can challenge today’s hypothesis tomorrow. This shows that it has a longer time span. On the other hand, the prediction is proven just once. In simple terms, if something you predict occurs, then it’s done, your statement is right and nothing more needed.

6. Fiction element

Hypothesis is based on facts which mean the results will be recorded and used in science. The results might also have an additional application which is different from a prediction. Prediction is linked with forecasting and fiction. Although, the hypothesis is a speculated, testable, educational guess that can be tested and used in scientific applications, in the prediction you are purely guessing something.

7. Origin

The two words differ slightly depending on the specific origination. The hypothesis is a full Greek word. Hypo means under and thesis means placing. On the other hand, Prediction is a Latin word which means known beforehand.

9. Synonym-

They have different synonyms. The hypothesis can as well be termed as a theory whereas prediction can be termed as Forecast.

10. Supported by Reasoning-

Now here is another huge difference between the two terms. The hypothesis is supported by reasoning. On the other hand, whether the prediction is supported by reasoning or not depends on several factors.

11. Proving methodology-

With Hypothesis, every experiment may come up with different results. This is the main reason why in statistics, Hypotheses fall under a certain range of results. The hypothesis can either be right or wrong, proven or rejected. This depends on the method that scientists use. On the other hand, predictions can be tested on the predicted occurrences of the associated idea. When the predicted result comes to pass, then the prediction was right.

12. Statistics-

Hypothesis is heavily used in science and statistics. Though, the prediction may invoke statistics. What this means is that prediction will only bring forth probabilities but they are both an important aspect of statistics and prediction.

13. The process-

another influential difference is here. Prediction goes forth to the future of an occurrence while hypothesis goes back to the cause or even the cause of the occurrence. As a matter of fact, this is the main reason why a hypothesis can be tested but a prediction cannot be tested.

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