Kiss and Tell Embracing ‘the’ Hypothesis

Abstract

Kiss and Tell is the result of a review of comments about the demerits of research regarding the morpheme order studies (Dulay & Burt, 1974). Some argue that the studies’ methodology is flawed because the hypothesis is flawed (see Brown, 2007). Such a view speaks to the need for a plausible hypothesis which will serve to guide the research to credible conclusions. When results are invalid, the application of them in the classroom can become problematic for teachers who lack the sophistication or training in analyzing research and research language, but who put faith in the researcher and the research process. This study therefore aims to take researchers through the process of effectively shaping the hypothesis, with the goal of demonstrating the importance of making the hypothesis central to the research process.