paper 2 - research methods Flashcards
Aim
A general statement of what the researcher intend to investigate, the purpose of the study.
Hypothesis
A clear, precise, testable statement states the relationship between the variables to be investigated which indicates the expected outcome of a study. Stated at the outset of any study
Hypothesis can be either….
Directional or non-directional
Directional hypothesis (one tailed)
In directional hypothesis the researcher makes it clear the sort of difference that is anticipated between two conditions or two groups of people.
Includes words such as more or less, higher or lower and fast or slower
States the direction of the difference or relationship
E.g people who drink speedupp becomes MORE talkative than people who don’t.
Non-directional hypothesis (two tailed)
Non directional hypothesis simply states that there is a difference between conditions or groups of people but unlike directional hypothesis the nature is not specified.
Doesn’t state the direction of the difference and relationship.
E.g people who drinks speedupp differ In terms of talkativeness compared with people who don’t drink speedupp
Experimental method
Involves the manipulation of an independent variable (IV) to measure the effect on dependent variable(DV). Experiments may be laboratory, field, natural or quasi.
Variables
Any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation within an investigation.
Variables are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result to another.
Understanding the behaviour or impact.
Independent variables (IV)
A researcher changes or manipulate the independent variable.
Dependant variable (DV)
The researcher records/measures the effects of this change on the dependent variable.
Experimental hypothesis
The hypothesis either states a predicted DIFFERENCE between an independent and dependent variable.
Correlation analysis
States a predicted relationship between variables
Operationalisation
The hypothesis should be operationalised.
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured- making it testable and repeatable
E.g after drinking 300ml of speedupp, participants say more words in the next five minutes than participants who drink 300ml of water.
Null hypothesis ( the opposite of experimental hypothesis)
States there is no effect, difference or relationship between variables in a study.
E.g there is no significant difference in anxiety levels between group receiving the new drug and the control receiving a placebo.
Control of variables - research issues ( what can get in the way of the experiment)
Extraneous variables
Confounding variables
Demand characteristics
Investigator effects
Extraneous variables
