Question

Evaluate the following hypotheses. Is it or is it not a good scientific hypothesis?  IF IT IS, then how might you go about confirming or falsifying the hypothesis? IF IT IS NOT, then make a suggestion about something we could change about the hypothesis to make it more scientific.

1).Compared to all other objects in the universe, humans are about average-sized.

2).The first sentence on page 20 of The Illyrian Adventure by Lloyd Alexander (Yearling Books, 1986) reads, "Vesper grinned all over her face."

3).Lagomorphs (rabbits, hares, pikas) share a common ancestor with rodents (rats, mice, squirrels, etc.).

4).If you want to succeed, then you should always obey your parents.

Answer 1

Please find the answers below:

Answer 1: Scientific hypothesis: The statement is based upon comparative analysis of the sizes with universe as a referece. However, it is not a good scientific hypothesis because multiple other objects can be undoubtedly seen to be much larger than the average size of the humans.

The statement can be tested by analysing the sizes of various objects present on the earth, including the fauna and the flora.

Answer 2: Not a hypothesis: The statement is discrete and based upon a proven fact, hence not a hypothesis but a summarization.

In order to make it a hypothesis, one can ask the non-readers if they feel that the first sentence on page 20 of The Illyrian Adventure by Lloyd Alexander (Yearling Books, 1986) reads, "Vesper grinned all over her face" and test the question upon a significant number of subjects by recording their answers.

Answer 3: Scientific hypothesis: Based upon the similarities in physical appearances, the statement is a good scientific hypothesis.

Answer 4: Not a scientific hypothesis: The statement is based upon moral values, not scientific facts. In order to make it a scientific fact, a case-controlled demographic study must be contained containing as many subjects as possible.