Research Methods

What must be aligned when comparing two statistical series about Hawaii?

• Only the colors of chart legends
• Only the authors’ job titles
• Definitions, boundaries, periods, and units
• Only the number of web links

Why does a change in a state’s GDP figure not by itself prove a specific cause?

• Every increase is caused only by tourism
• Economic indicators never change
• Correlation or change alone does not identify causation
• GDP measures only rainfall

What makes a claim about Hawaii academically well supported?

• Treating every inference as a verified fact
• Separating observed evidence from interpretation and inference
• Ignoring source quality
• Leaving dates out of statistical statements

Which approach is strongest for evaluating a claim about Hawaiian Kingdom diplomacy?

• Consult original documents and credible historical scholarship
• Depend only on advertising brochures
• Ignore the dates of documents
• Use fictionalized travel stories as proof

What can a contemporary account of the 1893 overthrow reveal besides events?

• Guaranteed neutrality in all circumstances
• The exact GDP of Hawaii in 2025
• The writer’s political position and possible bias
• The final outcome of all future elections

What is a primary historical source?

• A summary with no connection to original records
• Any unsourced opinion on social media
• A modern travel advertisement alone
• Evidence produced during or directly connected to the period studied