What is the main difference between the functions of a Hypothesis and a Research Question?

What is the main difference between the functions of a Hypothesis and a Research Question?

• A. Hypotheses predict relationships; RQs describe phenomena.
• B. RQs predict relationships; hypotheses describe phenomena.
• C. Both always predict outcomes.
• D. Both are open-ended descriptions.

Answer: (A)

The main distinction is that a hypothesis makes a specific, testable prediction about a relationship between variables, while a research question is an exploratory or descriptive inquiry that aims to understand phenomena without asserting a predicted relation. A hypothesis says, for example, that more study hours will be associated with higher exam scores, which can be tested with data. A research question asks something like, what factors influence exam performance, and it seeks descriptive or exploratory insight rather than a predicted link. So the best choice states that hypotheses predict relationships and research questions describe phenomena. The other options mix up predictiveness and description, or claim both are always predictive or open-ended descriptions, which isn’t accurate.

The main distinction is that a hypothesis makes a specific, testable prediction about a relationship between variables, while a research question is an exploratory or descriptive inquiry that aims to understand phenomena without asserting a predicted relation. A hypothesis says, for example, that more study hours will be associated with higher exam scores, which can be tested with data. A research question asks something like, what factors influence exam performance, and it seeks descriptive or exploratory insight rather than a predicted link. So the best choice states that hypotheses predict relationships and research questions describe phenomena. The other options mix up predictiveness and description, or claim both are always predictive or open-ended descriptions, which isn’t accurate.