experimental method Flashcards
What is an experimental method?
- Manipulating one variable to determine if change effects another variable
- high levels of control
What is the research aim?
A general statement about what the researcher intends to investigate; the purpose of the study.
What is independent variables?
- Aspect of a situation is manipulated by research or naturally
- Should be caused by IV
What is dependent variables?
- Variable in an experimental situation that is measured
- Should be caused by IV
How do we operationalise?
- Precise and clear about what is being manipulated or measure
- Makes it testable and repeatable
What are the three hypotheses in psychology?
- Null hypothesis
- Experimental hypothesis
- Alternative hypothesis
What is a hypothesis?
- Precise, testable statement
- Predicts expected outcome
What is a null hypothesis?
- No effect or relationship between variables being investigated
What is an experimental hypothesis?
- In context of an experiment
What is the alternative hypothesis?
Any hypothesis that is not the null hypothesis
What can the experiment/alternative hypothesis be referred to?
Research hypothesis
Why is it important to state a null hypothesis?
- Field (2004) impossible to prove experimental hypothesis possible to disprove null hypothesis
What is a directional hypothesis?
States the direction in which the results are expected to go
What is a directional hypothesis also know as?
One-tailed hypothesis
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
Does not give a predicted direction in which the results are expected to go
