9.aims and hypotheses

Question 1

what is an aim

Answer 1

developed before designing and carrying out the research
general statement which outlines what is being investigated
not plucked out of nowhere
developed from a previous theory

Question 2

what is a hypotheses

Answer 2

formulated once an aim has been decided
specific prediction about the outcome of the investigation, tested in the study
used with a non-experimental method

Question 3

what is a null hypothesis

Answer 3

constructed without support/evidence
need to have a conclusion for what the results show
states no difference/correlation

Question 4

what is an experimental hypothesis

Answer 4

used when an experimental method has been carried out and there is an IV and DV

Question 5

directional hypothesis

Answer 5

predicts the direction of the results
eg one condition has a more/less/faster/slower effect on the DV
used when there is a lot of previous research into the area so the researcher can make an informed prediction

Question 6

non-directional hypothesis

Answer 6

less specific than a directional hypothesis
doesn’t predict the direction of the results
used when investigating an arrea with little existing research