Hi, I am trying to work out a hypothesis to compare Estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells to normal breast tissues. Am I right in thinking that this will be a hypothesis using "effect" words instead of association ?

Yes, you are correct. When you want to compare estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells to normal breast tissues, your hypothesis would focus on the effect rather than the association between the variables. In this case, you may consider using effect words in your hypothesis.

To formulate your hypothesis, consider the following steps:

1. Identify the variables: The variables in this case are estrogen receptors and the type of breast tissue (breast cancer cells and normal breast tissues).

2. State the null hypothesis: The null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference in estrogen receptor expression between breast cancer cells and normal breast tissues. It can be written as "There is no significant difference in estrogen receptor expression between breast cancer cells and normal breast tissues."

3. Formulate the research hypothesis: The research hypothesis states the alternative outcome you believe might be true. If you expect there to be a difference in estrogen receptor expression, you can formulate a research hypothesis using effect words. For example, "Breast cancer cells exhibit significantly higher estrogen receptor expression compared to normal breast tissues."

Remember that the research hypothesis is what you are trying to support or find evidence for through your research. However, it's important to conduct further literature review and consult with experts in the field to ensure the accuracy and scientific soundness of your hypothesis.