experimental method

Question 1

definition of experimental method

Answer 1

involves the manipulation of an independent variable (IV) to measure the effect on the dependent variable (DV). experiments may be laboratory, field, natural or quasi

Question 2

definition of aim

Answer 2

a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate ie. the purpose of the study

Question 3

definition of hypothesis

Answer 3

a clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated, which is stated at the outset of any study

Question 4

definition of directional hypothesis

Answer 4

states the direction of the difference or relationship

Question 5

definition of non-directional hypothesis

Answer 5

does not state the direction of the difference or relationship

Question 6

definition of variables

Answer 6

anything that can vary or change within an investigation. they are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another

Question 7

definition of independent variable (IV)

Answer 7

some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher, or changes naturally, so the effect on the DV can be measured

Question 8

definition of dependent variable (DV)

Answer 8

the variable that is measured by the researcher. any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV

Question 9

definition of operationalisation

Answer 9

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

Question 10

how do you decide which type (non/directional) of hypothesis to use?

Answer 10

• directional hypotheses are used when a theory or findings of previous research studies suggests a particular outcome
• when there is no theory or previous research, or findings from earlier studies are contradictory, researchers decide to use a non directional hypothesis

Question 11

what are the 2 levels of IV?

Answer 11

control condition and experimental condition
eg. control = no energy drink, experimental = energy drink

Question 12

what is an example of an operationalised hypothesis?

Answer 12

instead of: “the group that drinks an energy drink will be chattier than the group that drinks water”, a better hypothesis would be “after drinking 300ml of xyz energy drink, participants say more words in the next 5 minutes than participants who drink 300ml of water”