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Research is primarily designed to test hypotheses. In the scientific method, a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. Researchers formulate a hypothesis based on existing theories or observations and then design their study to test its validity. This process often involves systematic data collection and analysis to determine whether the results support or refute the hypothesis.

While theories provide the broader context and frameworks for understanding phenomena, it is the hypotheses generated from these theories that are specifically put to the test in research. Data collection methods are important for obtaining information but are not the primary focus of research in terms of what it seeks to test; instead, they are tools used to gather evidence. Literature reviews serve the purpose of summarizing and synthesizing existing knowledge but do not constitute tests of their own. Therefore, the emphasis in research is on hypotheses, making them the focal point of the testing process.