Aims, Hypothesis, IVs & DVs 🧪 Flashcards
What is an independent variable (IV)?
The variable that the researcher manipulates and which is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable (DV).
What is the dependent variable (DV)?
The variable that the research measures. The variable that is affected by changes in the independent variable (IV).
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a clear and precise prediction about the difference or relationship between the variables in the study. Operationalisation is the term used to describe how a variable is clearly defined by the researcher. The term operationalisation can be applied to independent variables (IV), dependent variables (DV) or co-variables (in a correlation design).
What are the two types of experimental hypotheses and what are they?
> Directional hypothesis: Predicts the specific nature (direction) of the difference between two or more variables. This prediction is typically based on past research, accepted theory or literature on the topic. A directional hypothesis is sometimes called one-tailed.
— Examples of key words used in a directional hypothesis are - higher, lower, more, less, increase, decrease, positive and negative.
> Non-directional hypothesis: Predicts that a difference will exist between two or more variables without predicting the exact direction of the difference. This is usually because previous research has been inconclusive, and the specific nature (direction) of the effect of the IV on the DV cannot be predicted confidently. Non-directional hypotheses are sometimes called two-tailed.
— The key word used in a non-directional hypothesis is ‘difference’.
