Hypotheses

Question 1

Define hypotheses

Answer 1

a precise, testable statement of what the researchers predict will be the outcome of the study.

Question 2

What are the general rules when writing a hypothesis?

Answer 2

• written in the future tense.
• include both conditions of the independent variable.
• include the dependent variable.
• state an expectation that one variable will have a significant effect on the other (or not if null).

Question 3

What are the four types of hypotheses?

Answer 3

1.) null hypotheses
2.) alternative hypotheses
3.) directional (one tailed) hypotheses
4.) non-directional (two tailed hypotheses

Question 4

What are null hypotheses?

Answer 4

these predict that no significant difference will be found in the results between conditions.

Question 5

What are alternative hypotheses?

Answer 5

these predict that there will be a significant difference in the results between the conditions.

Question 6

What are directional hypotheses?

Answer 6

these state the specific direction the researcher expects the results to move in, eg higher, lower, less, more.

Question 7

What are non-directional hypotheses?

Answer 7

these state that a difference will be found between the conditions of the independent variable, but does not state the direction of the results.

Question 8

Why do psychologists make both an alternative and a null hypothesis?

Answer 8

once research is conducted and results found, psychologists must accept one hypothesis and reject the other.

so if a significant result is found, the psychologist would accept the alternative hypothesis, and reject the null. the opposite applies if no significant result is found.

Question 9

Define aim

Answer 9

identifies the purpose of the investigation/what the researcher is trying to find out.

Question 10

Define operationalised variables

Answer 10

when a variable is defined by the researcher and a way of measuring that variable is developed for the research.

Question 11

Define validity

Answer 11

a measure tests what it set out to test and therefore results/conclusions are an accurate reflection of human behaviour/attitudes.

Question 12

Define reliability

Answer 12

a measure gives the same results consistently, or the procedures used in research are standardised (the same for every participant).