Aims, Hypothesis, IVS & DVS Flashcards
What is an independent variable?
The variable that the researcher manipulates and which is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable
What is the dependent variable?
The variable that the researcher measures.
What is a hypothesis?
A clear and precise prediction about the difference or relationship between the variables in the study.
What is operationalisation?
Term used to describe how a variable is clearly defined by the researcher.
What can the term operationalisation be applied to?
Indepedent variables
Dependent variables
Co-variables
What are the two types of experimental hypotheses?
Directional hypothesis
Non-directional hypotheses
Explain directional hypothesis
It predicts the specific nature (direction) of the difference between two or more variables. The prediction is usually based on past research, accepted theories or literature on the topic.
Explain non-directional hypotheses
It predicts that a difference will exist between 2 or more variables without predicting the exact direction of the difference. This is because previous research has been inconclusive and the direction of the effect of the IV and DV cannot be properly predicted.
What are the key words associated with directional hypothesis?
higher, lower, more, less, increase, decrease, positive and negative
What are the key words associated with non-directional hypotheses?
Difference
