Hypotheses & Sampling

Question 1

Hypotheses

Answer 1

• Is a precise, testable statement of what the researchers predict will be the outcome of the study
• Must always be operationalised; details should be given on how the variables will be manipulated and how they will be measured

Question 2

Alternate Hypothesis

Answer 2

• States that there will be a relationship/correlation or a significant difference within variables and this is not due to chance

Question 3

Null Hypothesis

Answer 3

• States that there is no relationship/correlation or significant difference between variables and any results are due to chance
• E.g. there will be no significant difference between the happiness scores, measured on a happiness index, of participants who exercise at least once a week and those who engage in no exercise at all

Question 4

Two-tailed Hypothesis

Answer 4

• Doesn’t give a direction, simply says that the independent variable will affect the dependent variable
• E.g. there will be a significant difference between the happiness scores, measured on a happiness index, of participants who exercise at least once a week and those who engage in no exercise at all

Question 5

One-tailed Hypothesis

Answer 5

• Provides a direction as it predicts the nature of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable
• E.g. participants who exercise at least once a week will show significantly higher levels of happiness, measured by a happiness index test than participants who do not engage in an any exercise at all

Question 6

Sampling

Answer 6

• Sampling is a process of selecting a representative group from the population under study

Question 7

Opportunity Sampling

Answer 7

Selecting people who are available at the time and meet the criteria

+ Quick and convenient

• Only a certain type of people may be available; not representative

Question 8

Random Sampling

Answer 8

Everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected

+ Gives an unbiased and representative sample

• Expensive and time consuming
• Selected people may not want to participate

Question 9

Self Selected Sampling

Answer 9

Individuals volunteer by responding to an advert

+ Higher ethics as they have consented to participate

• Certain people may volunteer; not representative
• May show demand characteristics due to willingness to participate

Question 10

Stratified Sampling

Answer 10

Population classified into categories, and a sample is selected with categories in proportion to those within the population

+ Representative sample; can be generalised to population

• Time-consuming and replacements are needed for dropouts

Question 11

Snowball Sampling

Answer 11

One person selected and asked to find other similar participants

+ Representative of difficult-to-locate groups

• Time-consuming

Question 12

Representative

Answer 12

• The sample represents all types of individuals from the target group

Question 13

Generalisable

Answer 13

• Refers to the extent which we can apply the findings of our research to the target population