--%>

Good theory

It is frequently said that a good theory is one which can in principle be refuted by an empirical, data-oriented study. Describe why a theory which cannot be evaluated empirically is not a good theory.
In evaluating theory there are two steps: firstly, you have to examine the reasonability of the theory's assumptions; secondly, you have to test the theory's predictions by comparing them with facts. If a theory cannot be tested, it cannot be accepted or rejected. Hence, it contributes little to our understanding of reality.

   Related Questions in Microeconomics

  • Q : Trends in Income Distribution The year

    The year in that a long-run trend towards greater equality within the U.S. income distribution was reversed, therefore income since then has become less equally distributed, it was roughly: (w) 1945. (x) 1960. (y) 1975. (z) 1990.

    Q : Reallocation of resources-Government

    Describe the Reallocation of resources objective of the government budget.

  • Q : What is the sum of market demand for a

    I have a problem in economics on what is the sum of market demand for a good. Please help me in the following question. The other things constant, market demand for the good is a sum of: (i) Firm’s utility-maximizing decisions. (ii) Amounts dema

  • Q : Division of labor advantages for workers

    The advantages from the division of labor are improved as workers: (1) Are protected by the barriers which limit the international trade. (2) Who each recognize all facets of production gain an enhanced understanding of the whole project. (3) Constant

  • Q : Rates of Return below Investment When,

    When, relative to most another forms of business, farm incomes are tiny in comparison to farmers’ net wealth, in that case: (w) rates of return in agriculture are below those from other investments. (x) agriculture generates pos

  • Q : Natural barriers to entry technology

    Natural barriers to entry would include: (w) long established brand loyalty. (x) enforcement of existing antitrust laws. (y) technology which dictates large plant size. (z) patents and copyright laws. Can anybody s

  • Q : Curing shortages in the market Can

    Can someone help me in finding out the right answer from the following options. Curing shortages in the market for ice-cream needs: (1) Rises in the price of ice-cream. (2) Reduction in the supply of ice-cream. (3) Rises in the demand for ice-cream. (d) Reduces in the

  • Q : Labor Supply-Elasticity I have a

    I have a problem in economics on Labor Supply-Elasticity. Please help me in the following question. When we try to list the labor supplies from least elastic to the most elastic, then the most accurate ranking would most likely be: (i) Competitive fir

  • Q : Price fluctuations to go bankrupt in

    Speculators are most probable to go bankrupt when their activities: (w) increase price fluctuations. (x) decrease transaction costs to other buyers or sellers. (y) dampen the volatility of prices. (z) improve economic efficiency.

    Q : Analytic Time-Technological Long Run

    The chronological time needed for the technology to respond to modifications in profit opportunities (that is, the technological long run, also termed as super long run or temporal long run) is: (1) Longer than analytical long run for firm. (2) Shorter than market per