| Abstract: | P.E. Meehl (1967) attacked significance tests used to appraise directional theoretical predictions. With perfect statistical power, the probability approaches .5 of significance in the predicted direction, even for meritless theories. Feeble theory corroboration results. This article argues that directional predictions, not significance tests, produce the feeble corroboration. The author reviews previous solutions to Meehl, rejecting all except the multiple corroboration solution by D.T. Lykken (1968) and A. Kukla (see record 1991-31958-001). This solution is defended against Meehl's (see record 1991-31961-001) criticisms and extended. The complexity of a typical research design enables a theory to make multiple directional predictions, each of which can be adequately tested with a significance test. Reasonable theory corroboration results when all or most predictions succeed, and techniques to assess this are discussed here. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
