Which statement is an example of the stated hypothesis?

Which statement is an example of the stated hypothesis?

• A. Boys will engage in more risk-taking behaviors than girls
• B. Boys will score higher on math tests than girls
• C. There will be no gender differences in risk-taking
• D. Girls will engage in more risk-taking than boys

Answer: (A)

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about how two variables relate, often specifying a direction. The statement that boys will engage in more risk-taking behaviors than girls provides a clear, directional prediction about the relationship between gender (the groups being compared) and risk-taking (the behavior being measured). It sets up a testable expectation that can be supported or refuted by data. The other options shift the focus or imply no difference (which would be a null hypothesis) or predict the opposite direction. For example, stating that boys will score higher on math tests than girls changes the outcome variable to math performance, not risk-taking; claiming there will be no gender differences asserts no effect at all; and saying girls will engage in more risk-taking reverses the direction of the predicted relationship. Therefore, the statement about boys taking more risks is the best example of the stated hypothesis.

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about how two variables relate, often specifying a direction. The statement that boys will engage in more risk-taking behaviors than girls provides a clear, directional prediction about the relationship between gender (the groups being compared) and risk-taking (the behavior being measured). It sets up a testable expectation that can be supported or refuted by data.

The other options shift the focus or imply no difference (which would be a null hypothesis) or predict the opposite direction. For example, stating that boys will score higher on math tests than girls changes the outcome variable to math performance, not risk-taking; claiming there will be no gender differences asserts no effect at all; and saying girls will engage in more risk-taking reverses the direction of the predicted relationship. Therefore, the statement about boys taking more risks is the best example of the stated hypothesis.