The experimental method

Question 1

Example

Answer 1

do people work as well when sat in front of the TV as when they are sat at their desk with no distractions

Question 2

Aims

Answer 2

• Aims are intentions or research questions.
• What we intend to investigate.
• “To investigate whether TV (or noise) impacts the quality of homework produced by students”

Question 3

IV and DV

Answer 3

• DV - How are you going to measure the impact of the IV.
1. E.g. Homework scores
2. Memory Test

• IV - What the researchers change / manipulates.
• The experimental conditions (usually 2
but not always)
• Conditions are known as “levels”
• Conditions are compared.
1. Complete a homework task in-front of the tv.
2. Completes a homework task at their desk with no distractions.

Question 4

operationalising variables

Answer 4

• Making sure your variables are in a form that can be easily tested.

• IV:
1. Complete a 16 mark essay on explanations for conformity whilst watching Frozen.
2. Completing 16 mark an essay on explanations for conformity whilst sat at a desk in a quiet room.

• DV
• Score received for that piece of homework.

Question 5

hypothesis writing

Answer 5

• A hypothesis is a statement about what you believe to be true i.e. what you expect to find
• States the relationship between the IV and the DV.
• Two different types

Participants who complete a 16 mark psychology essay on “outline and evaluate explanations for conformity” whilst watching Frozen will achieve a lower mark than participants who are sat at a desk in a quiet room with no distractions.

• IV is operationalised
• DV is operationalised
• Relationship between IV and DV is stated.
• Comparison is being made

Question 6

types of hypothesis

Answer 6

Directional Hypothesis-
Participants who complete a 16 mark psychology essay on “outline and evaluate explanations for conformity” whilst watching Frozen will achieve a lower mark than participants who are sat at a desk in a quiet room with no distractions.

Non-directional Hypothesis-
There will be a difference in the amount of marks achieved in an 16 mark psychology essay on “outline and evaluate explanations for conformity” between participants who complete it whilst watching Frozen and participants who are sat at a desk in a quiet room with no distractions.

Question 7

which hypothesis to use

Answer 7

Ask yourself…
• Do we know what is going to happen?
• Are we aware of any other research?
• Have we been told anything in the question? o If yes, use a directional hypothesis.
• If not, use a non-directional hypothesis

Question 8

another example

Answer 8

• Aim: To investigate whether high confidence levels in children affect their levels of obedience.
• IV: Scores on a confidence questionnaire.
1. Scores above 50
2. Scores below 50
• DV: Amount of instructions from a teacher followed in a 60min lesson.
• Hypothesis: There will be a difference in the amount of instructions from a teacher followed during a 60mins lesson between children who score over 50 on a confidence questionnaire and children who score under 50.