What type of hypothesis is the following? “Low-fat diet is related to

What type of hypothesis is the following? “Low-fat diet is related to lower total cholesterol and higher HDL (high-density lipoprotein).”

a. Complex, directional, associative
b. Complex, directional, causal
c. Simple, nondirectional, research
d. Simple, directional, causal

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: A
A complex hypothesis predicts the relationship among three or more variables. In this example, the variables are low-fat diet, total cholesterol, and HDL. A directional hypothesis states the nature of the interaction between two or more variables. In this example, the direction is indicated by the prediction “lower total cholesterol and higher HDL.” An associative hypothesis proposes relationships among variables that occur or exist together.
This hypothesis is complex and directional, but no causal relationship is identified.
There are more than two variables included in this hypothesis, so it is complex. Directions (lower and higher) are also indicated.
There are more than two variables included in this hypothesis, so it is complex. It is directional, but no causal relationship is identified.