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Explain what it means for a scientific hypothesis to make a "positive statement" and describe the default scientific assumption that necessitates this framing.
Question: Explain what it means for a scientific hypothesis to make a "positive statement" and describe the default scientific assumption that necessitates this framing.
Sample answer: A positive statement in a hypothesis predicts the actual existence of a specific relationship or effect, rather than predicting its absence. This framing is necessary because the scientific method operates under the default assumption that an effect does not exist. Consequently, researchers must actively seek empirical evidence to demonstrate its presence, rather than trying to prove a negative.
Key points:
- A positive hypothesis predicts the existence of a specific relationship or effect.
- An effective hypothesis does not assert the absence of a relationship or effect.
- The default scientific assumption is that an effect does not exist until empirical evidence demonstrates otherwise.
- Researchers actively seek evidence to prove the default assumption wrong, avoiding attempting to prove a negative.
Rubric: Award full credit if the student recalls that a positive hypothesis predicts the existence of an effect and identifies that the default scientific assumption is that no effect exists until empirical evidence proves otherwise.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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