A marine biologist is designing an empirical investigation to study the effect of ocean acidification on the shell thickness of a specific bivalve species (Mytilus edulis\textit{Mytilus edulis}Mytilus edulis).
Which one of the following is a fundamental requirement for the biologist's hypothesis to be considered scientifically testable?
The hypothesis must be formulated as a directional prediction, as non-directional predictions are not empirically testable.
The variables within the hypothesis must be operationalised into specific, measurable parameters.
The hypothesis must be supported by a substantial body of pre-existing, peer-reviewed scientific literature.
The hypothesis must explicitly contain the literal terms 'independent variable' and 'dependent variable' within its text.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Scientific processes with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 689 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
