L5 - Aims, Hypotheses and Pilot Studies Flashcards
what is an AIM?
an AIM is a PRECISE STATEMENT about the PURPOSE OF THE STUDY and what it INTENDS TO FIND OUT
The aim should include WHAT IS BEING STUDIED and what the STUDY IS TRYING TO ACHIEVE
what is a HYPOTHESIS?
a HYPOTHESIS is a SPECIFIC, TESTABLE STATEMENT about the EXPECTED OUTCOME OF A STUDY
The HYPOTHESIS should also be OPERATIONALISED (this where you define the variables and state how you will MEASURE THEM)
what is the FIRST PART of a HYPOTHESIS that needs addressing?
the first part of a hypothesis that needs addressing is whether or not the STUDY PREDICTS CAUSATION OR CORRELATION
what is a CORRELATIONAL HYPOTHESIS?
the researcher predicts a RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO VARIABLES BEING INVESTIGATED
what is a CAUSATION HYPOTHESIS?
the researcher predicts a DIFFERENCE in the DEPENDENT VARIABLE because of the MANIPULATION of an INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
what are SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES?
DIFFERENCES IN THE DV RESULTING from MANIPULATION OF THE IV are known as SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES if it has been STATISTICALLY SHOWN using INFERENTIAL STATISTICS that the DIFFERENCES ARE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO BE DUE TO CHANCE
what are the TWO TYPES of HYPOTHESES to EVERY STUDY?
- NULL HYPOTHESIS
- ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS
what is the NULL HYPOTHESIS?
this states that the IV will have NO EFFECT ON THE DV
what is the ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS?
this predicts that the IV WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE DV
what are the TWO TYPES of ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS?
- DIRECTIONAL (ONE TAILED)
- NON DIRECTIONAL (TWO TAILED)
what is a NON DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS?
This DOES NOT STATE THE DIRECTION of the PREDICTED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONDITIONS
what is a DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS?
This DOES STATE the DIRECTION OF THE PREDICTED DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONDITIONS
how do we know whether to use a DIRECTIONAL or NON DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS?
The decision to use a DIRECTIONAL or NON DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS is based on whether there is PREVIOUS RESEARCH in the field
If there is, we use a DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS, if not we use a NON DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS
This is because PREVIOUS RESEARCH will ENABLE US TO PREDICT which DIRECTION THE RESULTS ARE LIKELY TO GO IN
what are PILOT STUDIES?
PILOT STUDIES are SMALL SCALE INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BEFORE RESEARCH
They are USEFUL because they can HELP TO IDENTIFY whether there needs to be any MODIFICATIONS in the DESIGN OF THE PLANNED STUDY
They also help to DETERMINE WHETHER IT WOULD BE FEASIBLE and WORTHWHILE to CONDUCT A FULL SCALE STUDY
