Question

research methods for the behavioral sciences 5th edition pdf Chapter 2

1. A researcher has just become interested in the effects of social media on depression. Describe the best steps they should follow to come up with a new and interesting hypothesis.

2. Give an example of a hypothesis and explain how it meets the three criteria for a good hypothesis

Answer 1

A hypothesis is a statement formulated before the beginning of the experiment. A null hypothesis is first formulated and tested because the researcher wants to disapprove of it. The researcher would then test the alternative hypothesis. The experimenter must statistically first evaluate whether the null hypothesis stands corrected or rejected.

In the above case, the researcher wants to understand the effect of social media on depression. Thus, the null hypothesis could plausibly be ' there is a significant difference between social media and depression, the more a person is exposed to social media, the more depressed they are'.

A good hypothesis constitutes of simple language and non-ambiguous sentences. It must be straight forward and understandable.