Which statement below best defines the term scientific merit?

Scientific merit is achieved when the researcher uses deductive reasoning, not inductive reasoning.

It's a combination of concepts: the researcher's expertise to conduct the study, the ability of the study to generate new knowledge, an approach to conducting the study.

Scientific merit is only achieved when the purpose of the research is explanatory or evaluative, not descriptive or exploratory. It's a combination of concepts: the paradigm the researcher is working under plus the rigor of the systematic review of the literature.