Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1093/biosci/biaa130
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) The hierarchy-of-hypotheses approach: A synthesis method for enhancing theory development in ecology and evolution
Author Heger, T.; Aguilar-Trigueros, C.A.; Bartram, I.; Braga, R.R.; Dietl, G.P.; Enders, M.; Gibson, D.J.; Gómez-Aparicio, L.; Gras, P.; Jax, K.; Lokatis, S.; Lortie, C.J.; Mupepele, A.-C.; Schindler, S.; Starrfelt, J.; Synodinos, A.D.; Jeschke, J.M.
Source Titel BioScience
Year 2021
Department NSF
Volume 71
Issue 4
Page From 337
Page To 349
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://oup.silverchair-cdn.com/oup/backfile/Content_public/Journal/bioscience/PAP/10.1093_biosci_biaa130/1/biaa130_supplemental_file.docx?Expires=1616417260&Signature=pjobuuoG70RM5E6U5iRwHPKxgPp8iEkgqZVq6Ssrj-GlKm3GvSEV5txylA3N-mcj~LinsHRf~2L8t9og50LQPj3ln819LujJXmSRv19ZxSNPxLws1D~lQFSKLP0d62TC-Mbb2q~-sbXC8dkZT88XhTQ4EuzPo-inhH7-cw4pSk36RnfaoRpEcHIiyCQpiJWBzBoXIm9ZatXihdnu4MvYHx6p2Udy3UwBZQPkgNU4dU-KhjP~zOzzIEjNlvIgt8C7CnpfnIZcizqD-KKlG79A3OYSD4CydFrj-95jtqpbrneUBuyjrONQJk0DbS7ZP7o2TMHTm8YYKk8Xqp5L-iM9nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIE5G5CRDK6RD3PGA
Keywords hierarchy-of-hypotheses approach; knowledge synthesis; theory development; structuring ideas; linking evidence to theory
Abstract In the current era of Big Data, existing synthesis tools such as formal meta-analyses are critical means to handle the deluge of information. However, there is a need for complementary tools that help to (a) organize evidence, (b) organize theory, and (c) closely connect evidence to theory. We present the hierarchy-of-hypotheses (HoH) approach to address these issues. In an HoH, hypotheses are conceptually and visually
structured in a hierarchically nested way where the lower branches can be directly connected to empirical results. Used for organizing evidence, this tool allows researchers to conceptually connect empirical results derived through diverse approaches and to reveal under which circumstances hypotheses are applicable. Used for organizing theory, it allows researchers to uncover mechanistic components of hypotheses and previously
neglected conceptual connections. In the present article, we offer guidance on how to build an HoH, provide examples from population and evolutionary biology and propose terminological clarifications.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=24229
Heger, T., Aguilar-Trigueros, C.A., Bartram, I., Braga, R.R., Dietl, G.P., Enders, M., Gibson, D.J., Gómez-Aparicio, L., Gras, P., Jax, K., Lokatis, S., Lortie, C.J., Mupepele, A.-C., Schindler, S., Starrfelt, J., Synodinos, A.D., Jeschke, J.M. (2021):
The hierarchy-of-hypotheses approach: A synthesis method for enhancing theory development in ecology and evolution
Bioscience 71 (4), 337 - 349 10.1093/biosci/biaa130