Aims, Variables and Hypothesis (Paper 2) Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is the ‘Aim’ of a study
A general expression of what the researcher intends to investigate.(E.g. To investigate if energy drinks make people more talkative)
How does the researcher develop their ‘Aim’
From theories
What is a hypothesis
A testable statement which predicts the outcome at the start of a study. (E.g. Drinking energy drinks makes people more talkative)
What does a directional hypothesis do
Identifies the direction of difference between two conditions. (E.g. People who drink water talk less than those who drink Red bull)
What does a non-directional hypothesis do
States a difference between conditions but the nature of the difference is not made clear (E.g. People who drink Red bull differ in talkativeness to people who do not drink red bull)
When do you use non-directional hypotheses
Use non-directional hypothesis when there is no previous research, or previous studies are contradictory.
How does hypothesis testing work
Data is collected and statistical testing is conducted on the data. This provides evidence, if the evidence is strong enough the null hypothesis can be rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted
What does the alternative hypothesis do
States that there is a change (difference) in the measurement of the dependent variable as a result of the manipulation of the IV
What does the null hypothesis do
States that there is no change (difference) in the measurement of the dependent variableas a result of the manipulation of the IV
How do you structure an alternative hypothesis
There will be a difference in DV between IV1 and IV2
How do you structure a null hypothesis
There will not be a difference in DV between IV1 and IV2
Define operationalisation
Variables being investigated being made clearly defined and measurable e.g. reaction time in milliseconds (DV) participants recalling in green light and participants recalling in blue light (IV)
