FacultyMemeticsFesterDraftsHyperthesis
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[edit] What are Hypertheses?
Hypertheses are shared, evolving research texts. They are collections of linked documents produced online in a collaborative environment. Whereas traditional modes of enquiry proceed by the inchworm ratcheting on a document by document basis, hypertheses emerge from an organic process which is in constant change and constant renewal. They are living texts: never finished, always growing, always developing.
[edit] The stages in creating hypertheses are as follows:
- Analysis and dissertation
- Discourse and antitheses
- Hypotheses and testing
- Synthesis, resolution and maturation to hyperthesis
[edit] Analysis and dissertation
This is a process of initial research and resource collection. Documents produced at this stage are typical notes, essays, primers and literature reviews. Information is collected and organised. Gradually these progress to the point where they not only describe the data but also begin to infer relationships between these points. The essays mature and are joined by dissertations, longer pieces which provide the factual and theoretical basis for the next stage.
[edit] Discourse and antitheses
Within the collaborative environment, the maturing works attract comment and criticism. This is encouraged and will be incorporated into the text as annotations and linked essays. Where views begin to differ an antithesis text emerges, budding off from the parent and offering an alternative line of theory, maturing and in time being joined with further dissertations summarising and building on previous work. This aids in the creation of traditional scientific hypotheses - the negative statements to be tested.
[edit] Hypotheses and testing
As antitheses and testable hypotheses emerge, this allows the crystallisation of the text as an authoritive work. Some branches of the text become discredited and wither as vestigial records of theory and research. Others are reinforced and may continue to develop, branching and developing as they themselves mature and attract further discourse.
[edit] Synthesis, resolution and maturation to hyperthesis
As they continue to mature, texts become more records of knowledge than exercises in enquiry. As synthesis is achieved and the tensions between theses and antitheses are resolved, they become teaching and reference resources. They are richly linked and self-referential texts which have grown organically from collaborative enquiry in the field. In practical terms, however, these texts are unlikely to ever reach complete resolution and thus continue to grow and develop as further dissertations and discourse continue to generate fresh lines of enquiry.
- UncleFester 25.07.06
