Aims, Hypothesis

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

Aims give research studies a clear focus. An aim is a general statement outlining what the researcher intends to investigate and the purpose of the investigation.

An aim usually begins with ‘to investigate whether…’.

An aim can also be worded in the form of a question.

Aims for new research studies often emerge from existing research.

Question 2

hypothesis

Answer 2

A hypothesis is a testable statement, which makes a prediction about the results.

A hypothesis therefore differs from an aim, which is a general statement outlining what the researcher intends to investigate.

Before undertaking a research study, researchers usually propose 2 hypotheses. Once the researcher has analysed their data, they will support one hypothesis and reject the other.

If they are conducting an experiment, they will propose:

1.An Experimental Hypothesis – this predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV. Experimental hypotheses are either:

Directional (one-tailed): this type of hypothesis predicts the direction of the results.
Non-Directional (two-tailed): this type of hypothesis does not predict the direction of the results.

2.A Null Hypothesis – this predicts that the results have come about through chance (i.e., that the IV has not had an effect on the DV).