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> the researchers hypothesized that, given some premises about evolution, poor women would have more kids earlier.

Um, isn't this already well known? Did they not craft the hypothesis to fit their existing understanding?

> Then they went and tested it.

No comment.

> Um, isn't this already well known?

No idea. The point is that it's a substantive claim that could be tested empirically.

> Did they not craft the hypothesis to fit their existing understanding?

I hope so. Using what you already know helps generate interesting hypotheses. They don't pop into existence asexually.