Essay

Explain the concept of the 'interestingness' of a research question in psychological research. Specifically, identify the two groups of people to whom a question must appeal, and list the three criteria that make a research question scientifically interesting.

Question: Explain the concept of the 'interestingness' of a research question in psychological research. Specifically, identify the two groups of people to whom a question must appeal, and list the three criteria that make a research question scientifically interesting.

Sample answer: The interestingness of a research question is determined by its appeal and significance to people in general and specifically to the scientific community. A research question is considered scientifically interesting if its answer is currently in doubt, if answering it fills a gap in the existing research literature, and if the findings have important practical implications.

Key points:

  • Determined by appeal and significance to people in general
  • Determined by appeal and significance specifically to the scientific community
  • The answer to the question must currently be in doubt
  • Answering the question must fill a gap in the existing research literature
  • The findings must have important practical implications

Rubric: A full-credit response must state that interestingness depends on appeal and significance to: 1) people in general and 2) the scientific community. It must also list the three criteria for being scientifically interesting: the answer is currently in doubt, answering it fills a gap in the existing research literature, and the findings have important practical implications.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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KPU

Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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