return to hypotheses and other things

Question 1

define directional hypothesis

Answer 1

(one tailed) states the direction of the predicted difference between 2 conditions or 2 groups of participants.

Question 1

define non-directional hypothesis

Answer 1

(two tailed) predicts simply that there is a difference between 2 conditions or 2 groups of participants, without stating the direction of the difference.

Question 2

what is the difference between the aim and hypothesis?

Answer 2

aims are an initial statement of what the researcher plans to investigate whereas the hypothesis is a formal and testable statement of the relationsip between variables.

Question 3

why would a psychologist use a directional hypothesis instead of a non-directional one?

Answer 3

when past research suggests that the findings will go in a particular direction.

Question 4

why would a psychologist use a non-directional hypothesis instead of a directional one?

Answer 4

if the study is exploring a new area, where informed expectations about how people might behave have yet to be established through research.

Question 5

define pilot study

Answer 5

a small scale trial run of a study to test any aspects of the design, with a view to making improvements.