Diagnose the limitation of this finding in distinguishing between the two theories. Why is the researcher unable to claim that Theory 1 is the correct explanation for the observed results?
Case context: A psychologist studies academic achievement and proposes the hypothesis that students who set daily goals will get higher grades. Theory 1 proposes that goal-setting improves grades by increasing self-regulation. Theory 2 proposes that goal-setting improves grades by reducing anxiety. An empirical study confirms that students who set daily goals indeed earn higher grades.
Question: Diagnose the limitation of this finding in distinguishing between the two theories. Why is the researcher unable to claim that Theory 1 is the correct explanation for the observed results?
Sample answer: The researcher cannot claim that Theory 1 is correct because the confirmed hypothesis (higher grades from goal-setting) is logically implied by both Theory 1 and Theory 2. Empirically confirming this hypothesis strengthens both alternative theories equally, making it impossible to determine which specific theory is correct from this test alone.
Key points:
- Both Theory 1 and Theory 2 imply the same hypothesis.
- Empirical confirmation of the hypothesis strengthens both theories equally.
- The researcher cannot determine which specific theory is correct based on this single test.
Rubric: Graders should look for: 1) Recognition that both Theory 1 and Theory 2 logically predict the exact same hypothesis. 2) Statement that the empirical confirmation strengthens both alternative theories equally. 3) Conclusion that the researcher cannot determine which theory is correct based on this study.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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