How does the existing literature impact the decision to use questions or hypotheses in research according to Dickinson, G. C. (1973)?

According to Dickinson (1973), the existing literature can impact the decision to use questions or hypotheses in research in several ways.

Firstly, the existing literature can help researchers identify gaps in knowledge or areas that require further investigation. This can lead researchers to formulate research questions that aim to address these gaps and contribute new insights to the field.

Secondly, the existing literature can provide a theoretical framework or foundation for research. Researchers may use existing theories, concepts, or models to formulate hypotheses that can be tested empirically.

Additionally, the existing literature can also influence the choice between using questions or hypotheses based on the level of existing knowledge in a particular area. If there is limited existing research on a topic, researchers may choose to use exploratory research questions to gather preliminary data and generate new ideas. On the other hand, if there is a substantial body of existing research, researchers may formulate specific hypotheses to test existing theories or hypotheses.

Overall, the existing literature plays a crucial role in shaping the research questions or hypotheses that guide a study, helping researchers to build on existing knowledge and contribute new insights to the field.

According to Dickinson (1973), the existing literature can impact the decision to use questions or hypotheses in research in several ways:

- Provide background information: The existing literature can provide background information on the topic being studied, which can help researchers to develop informed questions or hypotheses.
- Suggest research questions: The existing literature can suggest research questions by identifying gaps in knowledge or areas that need further investigation.
- Support hypotheses: The existing literature can provide support for hypotheses by providing evidence or theoretical arguments that suggest that the hypotheses are plausible.
- Challenge hypotheses: The existing literature can also challenge hypotheses by providing evidence or theoretical arguments that suggest that the hypotheses are unlikely to be true.

In general, the existing literature can help researchers to make informed decisions about whether to use questions or hypotheses in their research and, if hypotheses are used, which hypotheses to test.

Here are some additional details on how the existing literature can impact the decision to use questions or hypotheses in research:

- If the existing literature is extensive and provides clear support for a particular hypothesis, then it may be more appropriate to use a hypothesis in the research.
- If the existing literature is limited or inconclusive, then it may be more appropriate to use questions in the research to explore the topic further.
- If the existing literature suggests that multiple hypotheses are plausible, then it may be appropriate to use multiple hypotheses in the research.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use questions or hypotheses in research is up to the researcher. However, the existing literature can play an important role in informing this decision.