Pager: Quiz Question

In Pager's study, a(n) _________ approach was used to test the hypothesis that a criminal record will lead to lower employment opportunities. In the end, the empirical research was found to match the claims of the theory, making it (the theory) ____________.

A. inductive, false
B. inductive, true
C. deductive, less credible
D. deductive, more credible
E. deductive, true













Answer:
A. inductive, false
B. inductive, true
C. deductive, less credible
D. deductive, more credible (CORRECT!)
E. deductive, true

Because the research was based off of a theory and data was collected to test that theory, a deductive approach was used. Also, because the data corresponded to the claims made by the theory, the theory was made more credible - not false. You would not say that the theory is now true because theories can never be true. They are either made false or made more credible. There are far too many alternative theories to ever test them all to prove a theory true.