Experimental method

Question 1

What is experimental method?

Answer 1

the manipulation of an IV to measure the effect on the DV

Question 2

What is an aim?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 3

a clear, precise, testable statement that tests the relationship between the variables to be investigated

Question 4

What is a directional hypothesis?

Answer 4

states the direction of the relationship or difference

Question 5

What are variables?

Answer 5

any ‘thing’ that can change within an investigation-used to determine whether changes in one thing result in changes in another

Question 6

What is an Independent variable?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is a dependent variable?

Answer 7

variable that is measured by the researcher-any effect on the DV should be caused by the IV

Question 8

What is operationalisation?

Answer 8

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

Question 9

How do we know which type of hypothesis to use?

Answer 9

use non-directional if there is no prior research, or previous studies are contradictory

Question 10

What are levels of the IV?

Answer 10

We need a comparative conditions to see if our hypothesis is right or wrong-usually two levels of IV e.g experimental condition and control conditions