Experimental Method

Question 1

What is an experimental method?

Answer 1

• Involves the manipulation of an independant variable (IV) to measure the effect on the dependant variable (DV)

Question 2

What is an aim?

Answer 2

• A general statement of what the researcher intends to invesitgate, the purpose of the study

Question 3

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 3

• A clear, precise testible statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.

Question 4

What is a directional hypothesis?

Answer 4

States the direction of the difference or relationship
(State what you think the outcome will be)

Only put directional hypothesis if research has been carried out before

Question 5

What is an non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 5

• Doesn’t state the direction of the difference of the relationship
  (Always start with ‘there will be a difference’)

Question 6

What is the independant and dependant variable?

Answer 6

• Independant variable- What the researcher changes
• Dependant variable- What the researcher measures

Question 7

What is operationalisation (of variables)?

Answer 7

• Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.