04/10/2023 CEDP324 Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 1

Developmental Research MethodsTopic 3: Hypotheses

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Traits: TestabilityMake them testable

◦technology / methods / measurement

Not testable?◦Not scientific, and no value to science.

Does not just apply to hypotheses.

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Traits: ConcreteMake them

concrete◦Operational

definitions◦Leads to

measurementNo generalitiesMultiple

hypotheses. Must be testable

by the procedures.

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Logic – Inductive Reasoning

Observations hypothesis◦Think CSI. The

evidence comes then a theory is formed or hypothesis.

◦Then test that hypothesis What would happen if?

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Logic - Deductive ReasoningA theory that predicts observations

We then hypothesize what we will seeAnd test for that.

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Where to get hypotheses?Existing

problems

Existing research

Theories

From anywhere!

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CreditsNebula - flaivolka @ www.sxc.hu

Rubik’s – emmapayne @ www.sxc.hu

Question mark – hisks @ www.sxc.hu

Fishing – knips @ www.sxc.hu

Abstract – mckenna71 @ www.sxc.hu