Chapter 6.1 - Experimental method Flashcards
What is the experimental method?
A method that involves the manipulation of an IV to measure the effect on the DV
What is an aim?
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study - it is developed from theories
What is a hypothesis?
A statement that is made at the start of a study and clearly describes the relationship between variables as stated by the theory
What is a directional hypothesis?
A hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or relationship
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
A hypothesis that does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
When do researchers know when to use a directional hypothesis?
When a theory or the findings of previous research studies suggest a particular outcome
When do researchers know when to use a non-directional hypothesis?
When there is no theory or previous research, or findings from earlier studies are contradictory
What makes a hypothesis well-written?
When the IV and DV are easily distinguishable
What are variables?
Things that can vary or change within an investigation, they are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another
What is an independent variable?
A variable that is manipulated by the researcher, or changes naturally, so the effect on the DV can be measured
What is meant by the levels of IV?
The number of experimental conditions, e.g. control and experimental group
What is a dependent variable?
The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV
What is operationalisation?
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured
e.g. The group that drinks an energy drink will be chattier than the group that drinks water VS after drinking 300ml of SpeedUpp, participants say more words in the next five minutes than participants who drink 300ml of water
