Scientific processes, Aims and Hypothesis

Question 1

List some of the Ethical Guidelines for the BPS

Answer 1

Consent 
Deception
Debreifing 
Withdrawl from the investigation 
Confidentiality 
Protection of participants

Question 2

defintion of aim

Answer 2

a precise statement of why the study is taking place

Question 3

definition of hypothesis

Answer 3

a testable prediction about the variables in a study

Question 4

def of directional hypothesis

Answer 4

indicates the direction in which results will happen ‘there will be a reduction/ increase in…’

Question 5

def of non-directional hypothesis

Answer 5

predicts that there will be a difference but does not predict the direction of results
‘there will be a difference’

Question 6

def of null hypothesis

Answer 6

there will be no difference -predicts IV will not affect DV

Question 7

def of alternative hypothesis

Answer 7

the IV will have a significant effect on the DV

results are not due to chance and that they are significant in terms of supporting the theory being investigated.

Question 8

How to write a good hypothesis

Answer 8

1. make sure it’s the right type
2. Should included IV and DV
3. Always operationalise both variables
   - this means how will this be measured
   - take words from the text