Sample interview questions: Can you explain the role of hypothesis testing in experimental physics?
Sample answer:
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Formulating Hypothesis: In experimental physics, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation or prediction about the outcome of an experiment. It is based on prior knowledge, theories, observations, or empirical evidence. A well-formulated hypothesis is testable, falsifiable, and specific.
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Designing Experiments: The hypothesis guides the design of the experiment. It helps determine the variables to be measured, the experimental conditions, and the procedures to be followed. The experiment is designed to collect data that can either support or refute the hypothesis.
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Data Collection: The experiment is conducted, and data is collected. This data includes measurements, observations, and recordings of the relevant variables. The data collection process must be accurate, systematic, and unbiased to ensure reliable results.
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Data Analysis: The collected data is analyzed using statistical methods and techniques. This involves organizing, summarizing, and interpreting the data to extract meaningful information. Statistical tests are used to determine the significance of the results and to draw conclusions based on the data.
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Hypothesis Evaluation: The results of the data analysis are compared to the predictions made by the hypothesis. If the results support the hypothesis, it gains strength and may be provisionally accepted. If the results contradict the hypothesis, it is either rejected or modified to accommodate the new findings.
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Publication and Peer Review: The findings of … Read full answer
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