Final answer:
Early research might yield contradictory and inconclusive results due to inconsistencies in definitions, difficulties in empirical verification, reliance on insufficient evidence and generalities, debates within the scientific community, biases in reasoning, and occurrences of statistical fraud.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early research can often lead to contradictory and inconclusive results for several reasons. One key factor is the lack of a consistent definition and description of the subject being researched, leading to inconsistencies across different studies. Furthermore, when dealing with subjects that are inherently difficult to measure and study empirically, such as psychological or sociological phenomena, the verification of results becomes challenging.
Another reason could be the tendency of some research to rely on insufficient evidence to support the main ideas, leading to conclusions built on generalities rather than specific facts. This issue is often compounded by the pressures of limited time, which can compel researchers to cover too much ground without the depth required for firm conclusions. Moreover, the scientific community often debates various theories before reaching a consensus, especially in fields with a broad scope like psychology. With the increasing amount of information available, the process of achieving consensus can be slow and filled with conflicting studies. Additionally, bias and the use of faulty cause-and-effect reasoning can further complicate the interpretation of research outcomes.
Lastly, some research outcomes are tainted by statistical fraud, where data collection is stopped as soon as results support the preferred hypothesis. This premature cessation of data collection can prevent the emergence of results that might contradict the initial hypothesis, thereby skewing the overall research conclusions.