In data analysis, what is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts a relationship between variables, which is essential in the process of data analysis. It serves as a foundation for your research, guiding the collection and analysis of data to determine whether there is evidence to support this prediction.

In practice, you would articulate a hypothesis before collecting data; it might suggest that changing one variable will have a direct impact on another. For example, a hypothesis could state that increased exercise leads to weight loss. By formulating such a statement, analysts can design experiments or observational studies to test its validity.

This approach allows researchers to use statistical methods to either support or reject their hypothesis based on the data they gather. Thus, a well-defined hypothesis not only helps in structuring the analysis but also helps in arriving at meaningful conclusions from data.