--%>

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 : Income-Satisfaction boundaries Demand

    The maximum amounts of a good that people are willing and capable to buy at different market prices during a specific period are depicted by: (1) Horizontal summations. (2) Income or satisfaction boundaries. (3) Demand curves. (4) Consumption possibilities frontiers.<

  • Q : Determine demand and supply when

    If, throughout a period while video iPods are gaining popularity, the technology to create them enhances, in that case demand: (w) and supply would both decrease. (x) and supply would both increase.  (y) increases when supply decreases. (z) decreases when supply

  • Q : The Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act

    Select the right ans wer of the question. The Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act: 1) exempted American exporters from the Sherman Antitrust Act. 2) provided technological assistance to developing countries. 3) brought about considerable reductions in American trade barri

  • Q : Oligopolistic nature of industries The

    The oligopolistic nature of several industries is probably to be attributable to: (1) overly expansionary macroeconomic policies. (2) corporate instability. (3) economies of scale. (4) cooperative gaming. (5) unstable Nash equilibrium.

    Q : Comparative static model and general

    Compare and contrast Comparative static model and general equilibrium models using one example of each model in a 2 page essay. Specify the properties of each model. What are the relative strengths and weaknesses of each and every model?

  • Q : State marginal propensity to consume

    Marginal propensity to consume: It is stated as the measure of rate at which the aggregate consumption expenditure changes as the national income changes. MPC= C/Y

  • Q : Effect of national income on Normal

    A possible demonstration for economy-wide rises in demands for such goods as latest cars and clothes would be that: (1) National income has risen. (2) The economy is fall into recession. (3) The prices of the goods go up. (4) Prices were cut for the c

  • Q : Determine slope of demand for given

    For edcah $.10 per gallon hike within gasoline prices, Ima Driver cuts her monthly consumption of gasoline with 5 gallons. There slope of her demand for gasoline: (w) 1/2 when the change in price is expressed within cents, and 500 when the change in p

  • Q : Lowest price in shopping for expected

    Consumers shop for the lowest price probable for a good only till the expected benefits of shopping no longer go beyond the expected: (w) maximum legal prices for the good. (x) prices available in the black market. (y) transaction costs related with a

  • Q : Condition for long-run equilibrium

    Which of the given is NOT a condition for long-run equilibrium into a purely competitive market: (w) P = MC (x) MR = MC (y) P = LRAC (z) TFC = TC Can anybody suggest me the proper explanation for given problem rega