1) Aims and hypothesis key terms

Question 1

What is an aim?

Answer 1

A general expression of what the research intends to investigate

Question 2

What is an independent variable?

Answer 2

The variable you change / manipulate

Question 3

What is a dependant variable?

Answer 3

The variable you measure

Question 4

What is an extraneous variable

Answer 4

Another variable involved that may affect the DV that isn’t the IV

Question 5

What is a hypothesis

Answer 5

A precise, testable statement of what the researchers predict will be the outcome of the study
(E.g. instructions… do this)

Question 6

What is meant by operationalisation?

Answer 6

Refers to the process of defining variables in practical, specific terms that allow them to be measured or manipulated in a research study

Question 7

What is a null hypothesis?

Answer 7

Predicts no difference or no relationship between groups / conditions
Predicts that any relationship or difference will be due to change

Question 8

What is an alternative hypothesis?

Answer 8

Predicts a relationship or difference between groups / conditions

Question 9

What is a directional hypothesis?
(One tailed)

Answer 9

Predicts a difference or a relationship between conditions and states the direction of the difference / relationship
(E.g. which group will perform better)

Question 10

What is a non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 10

Predicts a difference or relationship between groups / conditions but doesn’t state the direction of the difference / relationship
(E.g. there will be a correlation or difference)