experimental methods

Question 1

definition of experimental method

Answer 1

manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable

Question 2

aim

Answer 2

a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
e.g. To investigate whether drinking energy drinks makes people more talkative

Question 3

hypothesis

Answer 3

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

Question 4

directional hypothesis

Answer 4

states the direction of the difference or relationship
e.g. People who drink Speedup became more talkative than people who don’t

Question 5

non-directional hypothesis

Answer 5

does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
e.g. People who drink Speedup differ in terms of talkativeness compared with people who don’t

Question 6

independent variable (IV)

Answer 6

the variable that can be changed

Question 7

dependent variable (DV)

Answer 7

the variable that is measured

Question 8

deciding the hypothesis

Answer 8

directional hypothesis - typically used when the findings of previous studies suggest a particular outcome

non-directional hypothesis - when there is no previous research or when previous findings are contradictory

Question 9

operationalisation

Answer 9

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured