7.2: Hypotheses

Question 1

Hypothesis

Answer 1

A hypothesis is a precise, testable research prediction and statement of the relationship between 2 variables, the:

1. Independent variable (IV)
2. Dependent variable (DV)

Question 2

A hypothesis is a precise, testable research prediction and statement of the relationship between 2 variables, the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV).
Example

Answer 2

For example, ‘caffeine consumption will affect reaction times’

Question 3

A hypothesis is a precise, testable research prediction and statement of the relationship between 2 variables, the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV).
A hypothesis can be the what hypothesis?

Answer 3

A hypothesis can be the:
1. Experimental/alternative hypothesis
Or,
2. Null hypothesis

Question 4

A hypothesis is a precise, testable research prediction and statement of the relationship between 2 variables, the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV).
A hypothesis can be the experimental/alternative hypothesis or the null hypothesis.
If a hypothesis is the experimental/alternative hypothesis, it will be a what hypothesis?

Answer 4

If a hypothesis is the experimental/alternative hypothesis, it will be a:
1. Directional (‘one-tailed’) hypothesis
Or,
2. Non-directional (‘two-tailed’) hypothesis

Question 5

The experimental/alternative hypothesis predicts what?

Answer 5

The experimental/alternative hypothesis predicts that differences in the DV will be beyond the boundaries of chance (they will occur as a result of manipulation of the IV)

Question 6

The experimental/alternative hypothesis predicts that differences in the DV will be beyond the boundaries of chance (they will occur as a result of manipulation of the IV).
The term ‘experimental hypothesis’ is only used with what?

Answer 6

The term ‘experimental hypothesis’ is only used with the experimental method

Question 7

The experimental/alternative hypothesis predicts that differences in the DV will be beyond the boundaries of chance (they will occur as a result of manipulation of the IV).
The term ‘experimental hypothesis’ is only used with the experimental method.
Other research methods use the term what?

Answer 7

Other research methods use the term ‘alternative hypothesis’

Question 8

The null hypothesis predicts what?

Answer 8

The null hypothesis predicts that the independent variable (IV) will not affect the dependent variable (DV)

Question 9

The null hypothesis predicts that the independent variable (IV) will not affect the dependent variable (DV).
Any differences in results will be due to what?

Answer 9

Any differences in results will be due to chance factors

Question 10

The null hypothesis predicts that the independent variable (IV) will not affect the dependent variable (DV).
Any differences in results will be due to chance factors, not what?

Answer 10

Any differences in results will be due to chance factors, not the manipulation of the independent variable (IV)

Question 11

The null hypothesis predicts that the independent variable (IV) will not affect the dependent variable (DV).
Any differences in results will be due to chance factors, not the manipulation of the independent variable (IV), and will therefore be what?

Answer 11

Any differences in results will be due to chance factors, not the manipulation of the independent variable (IV), and will therefore be not significant

Question 12

A directional (‘one-tailed’) hypothesis predicts what?

Answer 12

A directional (‘one-tailed’) hypothesis predicts the direction of the results

Question 13

A non-directional (‘two-tailed’) hypothesis predicts what?

Answer 13

A non-directional (‘two-tailed’) hypothesis predicts that there will be a difference, but does not predict the direction of the results

Question 14

How to write hypotheses:

To write a directional hypothesis, participants who what?

Answer 14

To write a directional hypothesis, participants who:
1. (IV a)
will (state how their DV will differ) compared to
2. (IV b)

Question 15

How to write hypotheses:

To write a non-directional hypothesis, there will be what?

Answer 15

To write a non-directional hypothesis, there will be a difference in (DV performance) between:

1. (IV a)
2. (IV b)

Question 16

Psychologists make the decision about which hypothesis to use based on what?

Answer 16

Psychologists make the decision about which hypothesis to use based on previous research

Question 17

Psychologists make the decision about which hypothesis to use based on previous research.
If the previous research into a topic all suggests a particular outcome (meaning it all agrees) then what hypothesis will be chosen?

Answer 17

If the previous research into a topic all suggests a particular outcome (meaning it all agrees) then a directional hypothesis will be chosen

Question 18

Psychologists make the decision about which hypothesis to use based on previous research.
If the previous research into a topic all suggests a particular outcome (meaning it all agrees) then a directional hypothesis will be chosen.
However, a non-directional hypothesis will be chosen if what?

Answer 18

A non-directional hypothesis will be chosen if:
1. The previous research is contradictory
Or,
2. There is limited research already

Question 19

A directional ('one-tailed') hypothesis predicts the direction of the results.
It gets its name from what?

Answer 19

A directional (‘one-tailed’) hypothesis gets its name from predicting the direction the results will go

Question 20

The experimental/alternative hypothesis predicts that differences in the DV will be beyond the boundaries of chance (they will occur as a result of manipulation of the IV).
The term ‘experimental hypothesis’ is only used with the experimental method.
Other research methods use the term ‘alternative hypothesis,’ but the definition is what?

Answer 20

Other research methods use the term ‘alternative hypothesis,’ but the definition is the same

Question 21

A hypothesis can be the experimental/alternative hypothesis or the null hypothesis.
One of the 2 hypotheses, null or experimental, will be what?

Answer 21

One of the 2 hypotheses, null or experimental, will be:

1. Supported by the findings
2. Thus be accepted

Question 22

A hypothesis can be the experimental/alternative hypothesis or the null hypothesis.
One of the 2 hypotheses, null or experimental, will be supported by the findings and thus be accepted, with the other one being what?

Answer 22

One of the 2 hypotheses:
1. Null
Or,
2. Experimental
,will be supported by the findings and thus be accepted, with the other one being rejected

Question 23

A hypothesis can be the experimental/alternative hypothesis or the null hypothesis.
How many types of experimental/alternative hypotheses are there?

Answer 23

There are 2 types of experimental/alternative hypotheses:

1. Directional (‘one-tailed’) hypothesis
2. Non-directional (‘two-tailed’) hypothesis