Lesson 5 Aims and Hypotheses

Question 1

Three steps when conducting research

Answer 1

1. Deciding upon an aim
2. Decide upon an independent and dependent variable and operationalise them
3. Decide upon a hypothesis and operationalise it

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

Deciding upon an aim is the first step when conducting research.

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.

Question 3

Operationalisation of variables

Answer 3

The second step is to decide upon the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) and operationalise them.

Operationalisation is defining the variables in such a way as to make them easy to measure.

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

The third step is to decide upon a hypothesis and operationalise it.

A hypothesis is a precise, testable statement about the expected outcome of an investigation.

Differences in the DV resulting from manipulation of the IV are known as significant differences if it has been statistically shown that the differences are highly unlikely to be due to chance.

Question 5

Null hypothesis

Answer 5

This states that the IV will have no effect on the dependent variable

Question 6

Alternative/Experimental Hypothesis

Answer 6

This predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV.

Question 7

Non Directional Hypothesis: Two Tailed

Answer 7

This does not state the direction of the predicted differences between conditions

Question 8

Directional Hypothesis: One Tailed

Answer 8

This states the direction of the predicted difference between conditions