experimental method Flashcards
what is an aim?
Developed from theories and are general statements that describe the purpose of an investigation.
what is a hypothesis?
A testable statement which predicts the outcome at the start of a study.
what are the two types of hypothesis?
directional, non-directional
what is a directional hypothesis?
Identifies the direction of difference between two conditions, specific
what is a non directional hypothesis?
States a difference between conditions but the nature of the difference is not made clear. non specific
what is an example of a directional hypothesis?
people that drink this drink become more/less talkative than those who dont
when do you use the non-directional hypothesis?
Non-directional hypothesis when there is no previous research, or previous studies are contradictory
what is an example of a non-directional hypothesis?
people who drink this drink differ in terms of talkativeness when compared
what is a variable?
something that can vary or change within an investigation.
what are the two variables?
independent and dependent
what is an independent variable?
An independent variable is the variable that is changed or manipulated by the experimenter.
what is the dependent variable?
A dependent variable is the variable that is measured by the experimenter.
what are the levels of the IV?
There are usually two levels of the IV, e.g. experimental condition and the control condition.
what is operationalisation?
There are usually two levels of the IV, e.g. experimental condition and the control condition.
what is an example of an operationalised hypothesis?
after drinking 300ml of this drink, participants say more words in the next five minutes than ppts who drink 300ml of water.
