Planning and conducting research: Aims and hypotheses

Question 1

Alternative hypothesis for an experiment

Answer 1

There will be a difference between (state one side of IV) and (state the other side of the IV) on (DV) as measured by (state how the DV is being measured specifically)

Question 2

Null hypothesis for an experiment

Answer 2

There will be no difference between (state one side of IV) and (state the other side of the IV) on (DV) as measured by (state how the DV is being measured specifically). Any difference will be due to chance.

Question 3

Alternative hypothesis for a correlation

Answer 3

There will be a positive/negative correlation/relationship between (state one variable) and (state the other variable) as measured by (ay how the two variables are being measured specifically).

Question 4

Null hypothesis for a correlation

Answer 4

There will be a positive/negative correlation/relationship between (state one variable) and (state the other variable) as measured by (ay how the two variables are being measured specifically). Any relationship will be due to chance.

Question 5

Ethical implications of socially sensitive research

Answer 5

This happens if:

• It is researching a highly personal or private experience
• It is research focused on deviant behaviour
• If the research questions the authority of those in society such as politicians

Question 6

Null hypothesis

Answer 6

A statement of no relationship between variables

Question 7

Alternative hypothesis

Answer 7

States a relationship between variables

Question 8

Operationalise

Answer 8

Refers to how you will define and measure a specific variable as it is used in the study

Question 9

Alternative hypothesis: One tailed directional hypothesis

Answer 9

Predicts the nature of the effect of the IV on the DV, e.g we predict more or less, an increase or decrease, higher or lower

Question 10

Alternative hypothesis: A two tailed non-directional hypothesis

Answer 10

Predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV but the direction of the effect is not specified, e.g we predict a difference, an effect or a change but we don’t know the difference