2. What is a Hypothesis? A hypothesis is an empirically falsifiable explanation of observable phenomena It makes a claim, as well as gives a reason for that claim It is a statement that can be tested
3. A Scenario If all of a sudden there was no natural way of determining the length of a day, like the sun (e.g. humans were to start living solely underground), what would happen to the average length of the day?
4. Make a Claim A claim would be any logical assertion that can be tested Try making your own claim concerning the previous scenario Examples: The average length of the day would steadily grow longer and longer. The day would not be lengthened or shortened by the sudden removal of any natural determination of the length of the day.
5. Give a Reason Based off your claim, give a reason for why you made your assertion Add it to your claim as a “because…” statement Example: The average length of the day would become longer and longer, because people living in this environment would tend to work or play until exhaustion before they retired for the day and slept in as much as was needed the next day.
6. Falsifiable? It is crucial that it be possible for your hypothesis to be proven wrong. Hypothesis that is not falsifiable: The length of the day would increase because other people would have normal length days.
7. Put it to the test As a next step to creating a hypothesis, you must be able to test it Describe at least one method you would use to test your hypothesis
8. Your Assignment Select a virtual community to analyze, such as Facebook or Second Life. Write a 6 – 8 page paper in which you: Form a hypothesis Explain the method you will use to test the hypothesis Discuss the results of your testing Conclude with an analysis of your results Should include an original idea or argument that proves or disproves your hypothesis
9. A Model This model uses Second Life as its virtual community with the claim that participants in Second Life design their avatars to resemble their real selves both in appearance and personality. http://www.slideshare.net/MorningMaestro/joshua-brewer-virtual-communities-essay-final-draft *Please go to my other lesson for tips on how to improve your paper.*
