Sir Ronald A. Fisher developed a sex ratio model partly because so much observational data suggested that the 1:1 sex ratio was common in nature and he wanted to understand why. What is the natural ordering when it comes to empirical and theoretical approaches?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Good theory can either precede or postdate data collecting. While it is ideal to have a well-developed theoretical framework before collecting data, sometimes observational data can lead to the development of theories to explain observed phenomena. Additionally, good theory is often refined and revised based on new empirical evidence. Therefore, the relationship between theory and data can be iterative and cyclical.