Which of the following would be considered a serendipitous research finding?
A) One that contradicted the researcher's original hypothesis
B) One that was unanticipated or outside the scope of the original research
C) One that was inconsistent with prevailing sociological theories
D) One that could not be replicated by other researchers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A serendipitous research finding is one that is discovered by chance, often outside the scope of the original research. Option A is just a finding that contradicts the researcher's hypothesis, which is not necessarily serendipitous. Option C is also not necessarily serendipitous, as a finding inconsistent with current theories could still be expected and sought after by researchers. Option D is not serendipitous, as a finding that cannot be replicated is not useful in advancing scientific understanding.

Which of the Following Would Be Considered a Serendipitous Research