Assignment:
As part of your Research Plan, you will be selecting a preliminary hypothesis for your research paper. A hypothesis, which is more specific and focused than a general topic, is the claim or prediction that you are making as the basis of your paper. For example, if your general area of interest is Social Security, a potential hypothesis might state that low-income families can save more money under a reformed Social Security that includes personal retirement accounts.
As you propose a hypothesis, keep in mind that you will research sources with both supporting and differing viewpoints. Do not pick a narrow or one-sided issue that will limit your research; instead, develop a hypothesis that lends itself to further exploration and debate.