Aims and Hypothesis

Question 1

What is an aim?

Answer 1

• State what you are going to do in your study
  1. Start off your aim with the phrase “To investigate…….’’
  2. Investigating the effect of the IV on the DV

Question 2

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 2

• Testable prediction which states what you expect to find

Question 3

Experimental Methods

Answer 3

• Formulate two hypotheses: an experimental hypothesis and a null hypothesis.
  > Experimental Hypothesis: Prediction of what you expect to find
  > Null Hypothesis: Predicted effect will not occur (eg. no significant difference between the results)

Question 4

Non Experimental Methods

Answer 4

-Non experimental methods also use two hypotheses:
> Alternative Hypothesis: Testable prediction of what you expect to find. (Can’t call it an experimental hypothesis if an experimental method was not used.
> Null Hypothesis

Question 5

Directional hypothesis (One Tailed)

Answer 5

• Predicts the way the results will go

> (eg. The consumption of alcohol will significantly decrease driving ability.)

Question 6

Non-Directional Hypothesis (Two-tailed)

Answer 6

• Doesn’t predict the way the results will go
  > (eg. There will be a significant difference in the driving ability of those drivers who consume alcohol and those who do not.)