Aims and Hypothesis

Question 1

Define an aim

Answer 1

Identifies the purpose of the investigation - what the researcher is trying to find out

Question 2

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 2

A precise, testable statement of what the researchers predict will be the outcome of the study

Question 3

Define a directional (one tailed) hypothesis and when it would be used

Answer 3

Specific prediction of what will happen in the research, states that the IV will affect the DV and states the direction of the results (more/less)
Used when there has been previous research conducted

Question 4

Define a non - directional hypothesis (two tailed)

Answer 4

Less specific than a directional, states that the IV will affect the DV but does not predict how

Question 5

Define a null hypothesis

Answer 5

States that the IV will have no significant effect on the DV

Question 6

What is the independent variable (IV)?

Answer 6

Variable that is manipulated/changed to observe the effect on the DV

Question 7

What is the dependant variable (DV)?

Answer 7

Variable that is measured

Question 8

Describe cause and effect (causation)

Answer 8

The cause describes what happens, the effect describes what happens as a consequence of the cause