What is the difference between a thesis statement, a research question, and a hypothesis?
A thesis statement, a research question, and a hypothesis are all related concepts. Together, they form the backbone of any academic research study.
A research question is generally the starting point of any academic research. It should capture what you are trying to learn about. Good research questions are specific, feasible, and relevant. For example, “Does the use of sans-serif fonts improve reading speed in low-light conditions?”
A hypothesis is a clear and testable prediction about the research question. Hypotheses are an essential component of experimental or theoretical work but may not be present in more qualitative work. For example, “Participants reading sans-serif fonts in low light will demonstrate significantly faster reading speeds than those reading serif fonts in the same conditions.”
The thesis statement is the main argument of a paper. It synthesizes a paper’s position/results in the context of existing research. Though it usually appears in an introduction, it is often written towards the end of the research process. For example, “Sans-serif fonts significantly improve legibility in low-light environments.”
If you need help defining a term, QuillBot’s AI Chat is a great way to discuss and dissect new concepts.
