aims and hypotheses

Question 1

what is an aim

Answer 1

a clearly phrased general statement about what the investigator intends to research

Question 2

what do aims include

Answer 2

the purpose of the study following on from findings of previous research to develop a theory or perhaps a direct replication
they can be phrased as either a question or statement

Question 3

what is formulated by the researcher to communicate exactly how the research will be conducted

Answer 3

hypotheses

Question 4

what is a hypothesis

Answer 4

a precise testable statement including levels of the independant variable and dependant variable (or both covariables for a correlational study)

Question 5

what is operationalised and what needs to be operationalised

Answer 5

variables are clearly stated to demonstrate exactly how they are to be measured.

Question 6

give examples of variables being operationalised

Answer 6

the DV would be “number of words recalled” not “recall”
the IV needs to clearly state both levels

Question 7

are hypotheses predictions

Answer 7

no they are competing statements of fact that the researcher accepts or rejects based on the data collected. this is in line with the scientific principle of the researcher as a neutral observer

Question 8

what is a null hypothesis

Answer 8

states there is no change in the measurement of the dependant variable as a result of the manipulation in the independant variable

Question 9

what is an alternative hypothesis

Answer 9

states there is a difference in the measurement of the dependant variable as a result of the manipulation of the independant variable

Question 10

what is another name for alternative hypothesis

Answer 10

research hypothesis

Question 11

how is hypothesis testing conducted

Answer 11

data is collected and statistical testing is conducted on the data. this provides evidence and if it is strong enough the null hypothesis can be rejected and the alternate hypothesis is accepted

Question 12

what are the two types of alternative hypothesis

Answer 12

directional and non directional hypothesis

Question 13

what is a directional hypothesis

Answer 13

states there is a difference in the emasurements of the DV (as a result of the manipulation in the IV) and says which direction the results will go

Question 14

what is a non directional hypothesis

Answer 14

states there is a difference in the measurement of the DV but not the direction the results will go

Question 15

when should a researcher use a directional hypothesis

Answer 15

if there is previous research that suggests which way the results are likely to go