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hypothesis formulation

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: hypothesis formulation

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about hypothesis formulation. Then check against the key terms: key terms from hypothesis formulation. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: key terms from hypothesis formulation.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: hypothesis formulation. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Statistics because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: explain the key ideas of hypothesis formulation

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about hypothesis formulation.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: hypothesis formulation

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on hypothesis formulation. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts the outcome of an investigation.
Key Fact: A good hypothesis is specific, measurable and can be tested using data.
Key Fact: The null hypothesis (H₀) states there is no difference, no effect or no relationship — it is the default position.
Key Fact: The alternative hypothesis (H₁) states there is a difference, an effect or a relationship.
Key Fact: Statistical tests aim to find evidence to reject the null hypothesis in favour of the alternative.
Key Fact: An independent variable is the variable you change or categorise; a dependent variable is the one you measure.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: explain the key ideas of hypothesis formulation

Answer:

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: hypothesis formulation

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: key terms from hypothesis formulation. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Work through the practice questions on the revision notes page for this topic.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: hypothesis formulation

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Extended Answer

Extended question: Full-Mark Response A student wants to investigate whether people who exercise regularly have a lower resting heart rate. Write a suitable hypothesis and identify the variables. <div class="

Hypothesis: People who exercise regularly have a lower resting heart rate than those who do not exercise regularly. Independent variable: Whether the person exercises regularly (categorised as 'exercises regularly' or 'does not exercise regularly'). Dependent variable: Resting heart rate (measured in beats per minute). The hypothesis is testable because both variables can be measured: exercise habits can be categorised and resting heart rate can be recorded. Data from both groups can then be compared using an appropriate diagram and summary statistic.

Exam Tips: Always write your hypothesis before collecting any data — never change it to fit results. | Use precise comparative language: 'greater than', 'less than', 'there is a relationship between'. | Make sure your hypothesis mentions both variables clearly. | In the exam, you may be asked to write or evaluate a hypothesis — check it is specific and testable. | Know the difference between null and alternative hypotheses even if you do not use H₀/H₁ notation.
Common Errors: ✗ Writing a hypothesis as a question ✓ Writing a hypothesis as a clear statement, e.g. 'Students who revise more score higher.' ✗ Using vague language like 'might affect' in a hypothesis ✓ Using definite comparative language, e.g. 'Students who sleep 8+ hours perform better than those who sleep less.' ✗ Confusing independent and dependent variables ✓ Identifying the independent variable as what you change/categorise and the dependent variable as what you measure. ✗ Writing a hypothesis that cannot be tested with data ✓ Ensuring the hypothesis refers to measurable variables that can be investigated quantitatively or qualitatively.
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how hypothesis formulation connects to another Statistics topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of hypothesis formulation
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in hypothesis formulation?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)