Auxiliary Hypothesis
Definition: All theories contain assumptions about the nature of constructs and how they can be measured. However, not all predictions are derived from theories and assumptions can sometimes be drawn from other premises. Additional assumptions that are made to deduce a prediction and tested by making links to observable data. These auxiliary hypotheses are sometimes invoked to explain why a replication attempt has failed.
Related terms: Epistemic uncertainty, Hypothesis, Statistical assumptions, Hidden moderators
References:
- Dienes, Z. (2008). Understanding psychology as a science: An introduction to scientific and statistical inference. Macmillan International Higher Education.
- Lakatos, I. (1978). The Methodology of Scientific Research Programs: Vol. I. Cambridge University Press.
Originally drafted by: Alaa Aldoh
Reviewed by: Ali H. Al-Hoorie, Nihan Albayrak-Aydemir, Mahmoud Elsherif, Bethan Iley, Sam Parsons, Flávio Azevedo