1. Experimental Method (AS) Flashcards
What is an experimental method?
The manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable.
What is a name?
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study.
What is a hypothesis?
A clear, precise, testable statement the states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.
What is a directional hypothesis?
The hypothesis that state the direction of the difference or relationship.
What is a nondirectional hypothesis?
I hypothesis that does not state the direction of the difference or relationship.
When should you use a nondirectional hypothesis?
When there is no previous research, or findings from earlier studies are contradictory.
When should you use a directional hypothesis?
When the findings of previous research suggest a particular outcome.
What is the variable?
Anything that can vary or change within an investigation.
What is the independent variable?
Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - or will change naturally - so the DV can be measured.
What is the dependent variable in?
The variable that is measured by the researcher. (Any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV)
What is the control condition and what is it for?
The control condition is when participants in the study on not given anything or don’t take part, so there results can be used as a comparison with those that did take part.
What is what is operationalisation and what is it for?
This is clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured. It is used to clarify the hypothesis.
