hypothesis, aims and variables Flashcards
alternative hypothesis
a precise and testable statement that predicts a difference or relationship will be found in an investigation
2 types on alternative hypothesis
directional
non-directional
directional hypothesis
states the direction of the predicted difference/relationship between 2 conditions
guide to writing directional hypothesis
participants who X (IV) DV operationalised and directional word than those who Y (IV)
non-directional hypothesis
states there will be a difference/ relationship between 2 conditions BUT NOT WHAT IT WILL BE
non-directional hypothesis guide
there will be a difference between X and Y (substitute X and Y with IV) and the DV
null hypothesis
a statement predicts there will be no relationship or difference (zero) found in an investigation
aim
states the intended purpose of an investigation
how to create an aim
start with - to investigate
independent variable
the variable manipulated by the researcher, directly affects the dependent variable
there will always be 2
dependent variable
the variable measured by the researcher
operationalisation
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
extraneous variables
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
EV - participant variables
differences in the participants age, intelligence, motivation or past experiences may mean some participants perform better/ worse
EV - how can participants variables be controlled
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
EV - situational variables (4)
environment
order effects
investigator effects
demand characteristics
EV - how to control order effects
counter balancing - half the participants experience the conditions in one order and the other Half in the opposite
EV - situational variables - order effects
results can be affected by practice, fatigue or they may do better
EV - control situational variables - standardised procedures and instructions
using exactly the same formalised procedures for all the participants
= higher in reliability
can replicate the study
EV - situational variables - investigator effects
any characteristics of the researcher that causes participants to behave manually - e.g. body language, speech, appearance
can easily influence study
EV - situational variables - how to deal with investigator effects
double blind procedure - neither the participants nor the researcher conducting the study are aware of the research aims or details
EV - situational variables - demand characteristics
any cue from the researcher or research situation that may reveal the aim of the study and change the participants behaviour
EV - situational variables - how to control demand characteristics
single blind and or double blind procedure
EV - participant reactivity - social desirability
a tendency for respondents to answer questions in a way that presents them in a better light
EV - participant reactivity - the screw-u/ please-u effect
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
EV - how to deal with participant reactivity
single blind procedure - participants are not aware of the research aims and/ or condition of the experiment they’re receiving
EV - situational variables 3
order effects
investigator effects
demand characteristics
EV - participant reactivity effects
social desirability
screw-u effect / please - u
extraneous variables 6
participant variables
order affects
investigator effects
demand characteristics
social desirability
screw-u/ please-u effect
