Final answer:
The statement is false because open-ended research questions are intended to elicit in-depth discussion and analysis, not merely to confirm the presence of a relationship between variables.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false: Open-ended research questions ask whether there is a relationship between variables. This statement is false. Open-ended research questions are designed to have multiple possible answers and are not limited to simply establishing a relationship between variables. Instead, they should prompt in-depth discussion, exploration, and analysis. A question about whether there is a relationship between two variables could be considered too simplistic and closed-ended for high-quality research.
A good research question should be open-ended and debatable, allowing for a comprehensive investigation rather than a straightforward yes-or-no answer. For instance, in the field of research, professionals are often interested in how two or more numeric variables relate, such as grades on different exams within a student's academic performance. However, these questions need to be framed in a way that invites exploration and debate.
Considering the goal of qualitative research, questionnaires, for example, can incorporate complex, open-ended questions. These allow for subjective responses and can provide a wealth of qualitative data that sheds light on personal beliefs, intentions, and motivations, which are valuable in understanding the nuances of human behavior.