Question

Ellie is interested in the supernatural. She wonders if a person has to die suddenly to become a ghost. Is this a valid research question? Explain your answer in 3-4 sentences.

a) Yes, because sudden death is a common factor in ghost stories.

b) Yes, because supernatural phenomena often involve unexpected events.

c) No, because the existence of ghosts is not scientifically proven.

d) No, because the question lacks clarity and specificity.

Answer 1

The validity of Ellie's question about sudden death and ghosts depends on the context; it's valid in a cultural study but not from a scientific viewpoint due to the lack of evidence for ghosts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Whether Ellie wonders if a person has to die suddenly to become a ghost can be considered a valid research question depends on the context. If we are approaching it from a literary or cultural perspective, where we analyze themes and beliefs within superstition and folklore, then the answer could be (a) Yes, because sudden death is indeed a common factor in such stories. However, if we are looking for empirical, scientific evidence, we find ourselves in a different domain. The scientific community generally does not accept the existence of ghosts due to the lack of clear, unambiguous physical evidence. Therefore, the question could also be answered with (c) No, because from a scientific standpoint, it is not a question that can be explored with the scientific method, as it presupposes the existence of something not proven to exist.