Create A Testable Hypothesis Using Proverbs Handouts - Classwork

Create a Testable Hypothesis Using Proverbs
Proverb: wise or meaningful sayings cast in a metaphorical mode that expresses a truth based
on common sense or the practical experience of humanity

Get in groups of 3-4, then:
Step 1: Select a proverb
Step 2: identify the theory that underlies the proverb or rule of thumb
Step 3: rewrite proverb as a question
Step 4: generate a testable hypothesis, and suggest a possible design/methods for testing
hypothesis (descriptive [like Naturalistic Observation], correlational [show relationship], or
experimental [manipulate some aspect of the world then measure the outcome of the
manipulation]) to test the hypothesis.
If the design is experimental, you can identify independent and dependent variables (pg. 38) and
specify operational definitions (pg. 25).

Example: the familiar saying
(1)The grass is always greener on the other side of the street
(2) The statement implies that people envy what others have.
(3) Do people envy what others have?
(4) A simple approach that we might use is to randomly distribute small toys to groups of
children, then have each child rate the desirability of all the objectsboth their own and those
given to the other children.

HERE ARE YOUR PROVERBS TO CHOOSE FROM (select 1):

1. Haste makes waste
2. A stitch in time saves nine
3. Ignorance is bliss
4. Mustn't cry over spilled milk.
5. You can catch more flies with honey
than you can with vinegar.
6. You can lead a horse to water, but you
can't make him drink.
7. Those who live in glass houses
shouldn't throw stones.
8. A bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush.
9. Everyone unto their own.
10. Well begun is half done.
11. A little learning is a dangerous thing.
12. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
13. It is better to be smarter than you
appear than to appear smarter than
you are.
14. Good things come to those who wait.
15. A poor workman blames his tools.
16. Dont count your chickens before they
hatch
17. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
18. If the shoe fits, wear it!
19. Honesty is the best policy
20. Slow and steady wins the race

How to Translate Proverbs Into Testable Hypotheses

Testing a proverb can be a fun way to learn the scientific method.

Proverbs are simple sayings that often have important alternative meanings. These may refer to elements of
nature and the way human actions reflect them. Proverbs are generally not tested theories but more like folk
wisdom. However, you can turn your favorite proverb into a fun, testable hypothesis and study its accuracy.
Proverbs can be difficult to test. Doing so requires you not just to consider the hypothesis but to speculate on
how you will carry through your research and testing.

Instructions

1. Select a proverb you would like to test, but make sure that it is testable. For instance, while "blood is thicker
than water" seems like a workable hypothesis, you may face ethical problems obtaining and performing tests
on blood. Alternatively, you may select a proverb that is more realistic, such as "birds of a feather flock
together."

2. Rewrite your proverb into a question format. Make sure that you keep all of the elements of your proverb
intact during this step. To continue with the example, you can rewrite "birds of a feather flock together" in the
question format, "Do birds of a feather flock together?"

3. Design a few methods for testing your new hypothesis. Consider designing an experiment or using the
literature research method. Determine which method best fits your new hypothesis. If your hypothesis does
not seem realistically testable, look for another hypothesis that may work better. For instance, if you were
considering the hypothetical question "Do birds of a feather flock together?" you could perform an
observational experiment and watch the flight pattern of birds. Or you could use the literature review
technique and study the research work done by ornithologists in the field.

4. List the elements of your hypothesis that relate to your research method. As an example, for your
hypothetical question, "Do birds of a feather flock together?" you may list that "birds of a feather" refers to
birds of a similar species and that "flock together" refers to traveling in groups. Identify each element of your
hypothesis that you should study.

5. Write the standard by which you can judge the results of your study. Ask yourself what conditions must be
true for your hypothesis to be true. Review your hypothesis's list of elements and include them into your
standard. For instance, you may decide that the similar species of "birds of a feather" may include a few
variations of the primary species and that "flock together" should refer to the birds' tendency to flock but not
necessarily their flocking together in all instances.

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