Question
According to Wimmer and Dominick, a good research hypothesis should meet which of the following criteria?
A. It should contest current knowledge in the area
B. It should follow logical consistency
C. It should be in its most parsimonious form
D. It should be testable
E. It should be compatible with current knowledge in the area
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
The correct answer is
B, C, D, E Only
A research hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through research. According to Wimmer and Dominick, specific criteria should be met to ensure a hypothesis is effective and valuable for scientific inquiry. Let's break down these criteria:
Hypothesis Criteria Explained
- B. Logical Consistency: A fundamental requirement is that the hypothesis must be internally consistent. This means it should not contradict itself. If a hypothesis contains conflicting statements, it cannot be logically tested or validated.
- C. Parsimonious Form: The principle of parsimony suggests that a hypothesis should be stated in the simplest, most concise way possible. It should avoid unnecessary jargon or complexity, making it easier to understand and test. This is sometimes referred to as Occam's Razor – the simplest explanation is often the best.
- D. Testability: A hypothesis must be empirically testable. This means that there must be a way to gather evidence, through observation or experimentation, that can either support or refute the hypothesis. If a hypothesis cannot be tested, it remains purely speculative.
- E. Compatibility with Current Knowledge: While a hypothesis can challenge existing theories, it should ideally be grounded in or compatible with the current body of scientific knowledge. This doesn't mean it can't propose new ideas, but it should relate logically to what is already known, providing a foundation for further research.
Why Other Options Are Less Suitable
- A. It should contest current knowledge in the area: While research often leads to findings that challenge or modify existing knowledge, this is not a strict prerequisite for *formulating* a hypothesis. A hypothesis might aim to confirm, refine, or extend current knowledge rather than directly contest it. Compatibility (E) is often seen as a more direct criterion for a starting point. Therefore, making 'contesting knowledge' a mandatory criterion is not universally applied in the same way as testability or logical consistency.
Considering these points, the criteria emphasized by Wimmer and Dominick for a good research hypothesis are logical consistency, parsimony, testability, and compatibility with current knowledge.
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Important Questions from Hypothesis - Teaching
- Criteria for Hypotheses construction are
A. It should describe one issue only.
B. It should describe many issues.
C. It should specify variables between which the relationship is to be established.
D. It should be specific and precise.
E. It should be empirically testable, whether it is right or wrong.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: - Which of the following statements about hypothesis are True ?
A. Hypothesis is a proposition that is stated in a testable form
B. It predicts a relationship between two or more variables
C. It is essential to have a hypothesis in a research study
D. Null hypothesis is a hypothesis of no difference
Ε. Hypothesis brings clarity, specificity and focus to a study
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below : - Identify the sources of hypothesis formulation.
A. Sampling method used for research
B. Reports of earlier research
C. Beliefs prevailing in the area of selected problem
D. Prior-experience of researcher in the area of selected problem
E. Type of population
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below : - Which of the following are the essential characteristics of good research hypothesis?
A. It should be clear and precise.
B. It should be testable.
C. It should be based on ethical consideration.
D. It should be stated in general terms without specifics.
E. It should indicate a relationship between variables.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: - Which of the following statements is/are correct ?
A. The probability of making a Type II error is often called alpha error
B. The effects size is the degree to which the null hypothesis is accepted
C. Psychologist Jacob Cohen first addressed the question of sample size
D. A significant statistical test simply tells the researcher that an observed result is probably not the result of chance or error
E. A one-tail test predicts that the result will fall only in one direction - either positive or negative
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
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