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Diagnose the type of reasoning the researchers used to develop their hypothesis and explain how their approach aligns with the requirement that a hypothesis must be logically sound rather than an arbitrary guess.
Case context: A research team is investigating the effects of a newly introduced instructional app. Because the app utilizes a completely novel gamification algorithm that has never been theorized about in psychological literature, the team spends a month observing a small group of students interacting with it. Based on their specific observations that these students engaged with the material for longer periods, the researchers formulate a hypothesis that the app will increase study duration in the broader student population.
Question: Diagnose the type of reasoning the researchers used to develop their hypothesis and explain how their approach aligns with the requirement that a hypothesis must be logically sound rather than an arbitrary guess.
Sample answer: The researchers utilized inductive reasoning. Since there was no pre-existing theory about the new app's algorithm, they drew upon specific empirical observations (the small group of students studying longer) to develop a more general hypothesis. This approach ensures the hypothesis is logically sound because it is grounded in structured, empirical observation rather than being a random, unsupported guess.
Key points:
- Diagnoses the use of inductive reasoning.
- Explains that inductive reasoning is appropriate due to the absence of a prior theory.
- Notes that the hypothesis was derived from specific empirical observations.
- Concludes that grounding the prediction in structured observation prevents it from being an arbitrary guess.
Rubric: Full credit is awarded if the student correctly diagnoses the use of inductive reasoning and explains that the hypothesis is logically sound because it relies on specific empirical observations in the absence of a theory.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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