Aims and hypotheses

Question 1

what is an aim ?

Answer 1

a precise statement of why a study is taking place

Question 2

what should the aim include ?

Answer 2

• what is being studied
• what the study is trying to achieve

Question 3

what do we develop from the aim ?

Answer 3

a hypothesis and null- hypothesis

Question 4

what is meant by a hypothesis?

Answer 4

a precise testable research prediction

Question 5

what are the 2 types of hypotheseis?

Answer 5

• experimental / alternate hypothesis
• null hypothesis

Question 6

what is meant by an experimental / alternate hypothesis ?

Answer 6

• a statement that predicts that differences in the dependent variable will be due to the manipulation of the independent variable

Question 7

in experiments what is the hypothesis called ?

Answer 7

experimental hypothesis

Question 8

in other research methods what is the hypothesis called ?

Answer 8

alternative hypothesis

Question 9

what is meant by a null hypothesis?

Answer 9

• a statement that predicts there will be no effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable

Question 10

the hypothesis must:

Answer 10

• include both parts of the IV and DV
• be operationalised (clear and precise)
  -be a clear prediction

Question 11

what are the other 2 types of an experimental hypotheses?

Answer 11

• directional and non-directional hypothesis

Question 12

what does a directional hypothesis do ?

Answer 12

• it predicts the direction in which change is expected to occur
• it is precise and uses words such as slower/faster, bigger/smaller, more/less
• e.g alcohol increases reaction times

Question 13

when would you use a directional hypothesis ?

Answer 13

• the direction is predicted in the research stem
• there is reference to previous research

Question 14

what does a non-directional hypothesis do ?

Answer 14

• it predicts change but does not specify direction
• it is non-specific and uses words such as affect, change, difference
• e.g Alcohol will affect reaction times

Question 15

when would you use a non-directional hypothesis ?

Answer 15

• if there is a reference to conflicting evidence in the stem
• there is no reference to previous research

Question 16

what is meant when operationalising variables ?

Answer 16

• you are being very clear about what you are referring to
• e.g when measuring aggression you would need to make it very clear how you are going to measure it
  e.g how many times someone has punched a wall

Question 17

what do correlational hypothesis include ?

Answer 17

• do not have an IV or DV
• you need to clearly state the expected relationship between co-variables
• co-variables must be operationalised
• correlational hypothesis may be directional or non-directional

Question 18

examples of correlational hypothesis

Answer 18

directional
- there will be a positive correlation between the amount of revision completed and the grade n an exam

non-directional
- there will be a relationship between the amount of revision completed and grade in an exam