The main purpose of a hypothesis in scientific research is to provide a testable and falsifiable statement that predicts the outcome of an experiment or observation. Essentially, it serves as an educated guess about the relationship between variables. A well-structured hypothesis guides the research process, helping scientists design experiments and collect data. It is fundamental in the scientific method, enabling researchers to form conclusions based on empirical evidence. Validating or refuting the hypothesis contributes significantly to the advancement of scientific knowledge.