experimental method Flashcards
definition of experimental method
involves the manipulation of an independent variable (IV) to measure the effect on the dependent variable (DV). experiments may be laboratory, field, natural or quasi
definition of aim
a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate ie. the purpose of the study
definition of hypothesis
a clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated, which is stated at the outset of any study
definition of directional hypothesis
states the direction of the difference or relationship
definition of non-directional hypothesis
does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
definition of variables
anything 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
definition of independent variable (IV)
some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher, or changes naturally, so the effect on the DV can be measured
definition of dependent variable (DV)
the variable that is measured by the researcher. any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV
definition of operationalisation
clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured
how do you decide which type (non/directional) of hypothesis to use?
- directional hypotheses are used when a theory or findings of previous research studies suggests a particular outcome
- when there is no theory or previous research, or findings from earlier studies are contradictory, researchers decide to use a non directional hypothesis
what are the 2 levels of IV?
control condition and experimental condition
eg. control = no energy drink, experimental = energy drink
what is an example of an operationalised hypothesis?
instead of: “the group that drinks an energy drink will be chattier than the group that drinks water”, a better hypothesis would be “after drinking 300ml of xyz energy drink, participants say more words in the next 5 minutes than participants who drink 300ml of water”
