The following hypothesis was investigated in a study you are reviewing: Children who have a parent who is dieting are more likely to put themselves on diets at a young age. As you critique this study, what kind of hypothesis will you report?

Question

a. Associative, complex
b. Causal, nondirectional
c. Complex, directional
d. Simple, directional

Answer 1

ANS: D
The hypothesis is simple because there are only two variables, and it is directional since "more likely" is included.
An association is indicated, but there are only two variables, so it is a simple, not complex, hypothesis.
There is no prediction of causation in the hypothesis, and the hypothesis indicates a direction, "more likely," so it is directional.
There are only two variables involved, so the hypothesis is simple, not complex. The hypothesis indicates a direction, "more likely," so it is directional.