Objectives: Articulate a research hypothesis (or hypotheses) that are empirically based, logically based from your literature review, and make specific predictions about specific outcomes. 

Why? Utilizing theories to make predictions about new situations is a key skill in science. It allows you to (a) make connections to the larger field of research, (b) contribute to the growth of that research area, and (c) provide a foundation and motivation for your current research topic.

Submit: 1. One paragraph (approx. 150-300 words) which accomplishes the objective given above, uploaded to Canvas. 

Remarks: The rationale portion of the introduction is where your study discusses the “gaps” in the literature with the last part of your rationale stating your proposed hypothesis and specific predictions for your current research. The hypothesis and predictions you make set the stage for the rest of the paper; readers will judge your methods, results, and discussion by the hypothesis that you generate. 

Grading: You will be graded on your ability to precisely state your rationale; this precision can be accomplished by addressing the seven points below: 

          1. Summarize what has been established by the previous (cited) research 

          2. Discuss what remains to be solved 

          3. Discuss what could be predicted by the previous research (theory) 

          4. In brief, discuss how your study will test these predictions (this should be a brief statement letting the readers know what you are manipulating as well as what you’re measuring). 

          5. Clear, concise statement of how the IV relates to or influences the DV (can take “If, Then” format) 

                    a. Should contain empirically definable terms for the IV and DV (concrete – measurement ties) 

                    b. Should make a specific prediction about how the changes in the IV will affect the DV.

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To successfully complete this assignment, you should: 

• Identify the theories used in previous studies. 
• Identify the “gaps” found in the research (found in previous assignments). 
• State a specific hypothesis which has not yet been looked in the literature. 
• State a specific prediction and/or relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable supported by the literature.