hypothesis, aims and variables

Question 1

alternative hypothesis

Answer 1

a precise and testable statement that predicts a difference or relationship will be found in an investigation

Question 2

2 types on alternative hypothesis

Answer 2

directional
non-directional

Question 3

directional hypothesis

Answer 3

states the direction of the predicted difference/relationship between 2 conditions

Question 4

guide to writing directional hypothesis

Answer 4

participants who X (IV) DV operationalised and directional word than those who Y (IV)

Question 5

non-directional hypothesis

Answer 5

states there will be a difference/ relationship between 2 conditions BUT NOT WHAT IT WILL BE

Question 6

non-directional hypothesis guide

Answer 6

there will be a difference between X and Y (substitute X and Y with IV) and the DV

Question 7

null hypothesis

Answer 7

a statement predicts there will be no relationship or difference (zero) found in an investigation

Question 8

aim

Answer 8

states the intended purpose of an investigation

Question 9

how to create an aim

Answer 9

start with - to investigate

Question 10

independent variable

Answer 10

the variable manipulated by the researcher, directly affects the dependent variable
there will always be 2

Question 11

dependent variable

Answer 11

the variable measured by the researcher

Question 12

operationalisation

Answer 12

making it clear how the key variables were manipulated / measured
written in a way to it can be tested by psychologists in the same way

Question 13

extraneous variables

Answer 13

any variable other than the IV that if left uncontrolled could affect the DV
if not controlled they become a confounding variable they confound (confuse) results

Question 14

EV - participant variables

Answer 14

differences in the participants age, intelligence, motivation or past experiences may mean some participants perform better/ worse

Question 15

EV - how can participants variables be controlled

Answer 15

use random allocation - names in a hat, number generator
e.g. 50 participants
names in a hat, generator
first 25 in 1 condition, rest in another

Question 16

EV - situational variables

Answer 16

environment
order effects
investigator effects
demand characteristics

Question 17

EV - how to control order effects

Answer 17

counter balancing - half the participants experience the conditions in one order and the other Half in the opposite

Question 18

EV - situational variables - order effects

Answer 18

results can be affected by practice, fatigue or they may do better

Question 19

EV - control situational variables - standardised procedures and instructions

Answer 19

using exactly the same formalised procedures for all the participants
= higher in reliability
can replicate the study

Question 20

EV - situational variables - investigator effects

Answer 20

any characteristics of the researcher that causes participants to behave manually - e.g. body language, speech, appearance
can easily influence study

Question 21

EV - situational variables - how to deal with investigator effects

Answer 21

double blind procedure - neither the participants nor the researcher conducting the study are aware of the research aims or details

Question 22

EV - situational variables - demand characteristics

Answer 22

any cue from the researcher or research situation that may reveal the aim of the study and change the participants behaviour

Question 23

EV - situational variables - how to control demand characteristics

Answer 23

single blind and or double blind procedure

Question 24

EV - participant reactivity - social desirability

Answer 24

a tendency for respondents to answer questions in a way that presents them in a better light

Question 25

EV - participant reactivity - the screw-u/ please-u effect

Answer 25

please = act in a way they think is expected and over perform to please the experimenter
screw = may deliberately under perform to sabotage results of the study

Question 26

EV - how to deal with participant reactivity

Answer 26

single blind procedure - participants are not aware of the research aims and/ or condition of the experiment they’re receiving