lesson 5 aims, hypotheses and pilot studies research methods Flashcards
define aim
a precise statement about the purpose of the study and what it intends to find out
what should the aim include?
what is being studied and what the study is trying to achieve
define hypothesis
a specific, testable statement about the expected outcome of the study
what is the first part of the hypothesis?
addresses whether or not the study predicts causation or correlation
what is correlation?
researcher predicts a relationship between two variables being investigated
what is causation?
researcher predicts difference in the DV because of manipulation of the IV
what are the two hypotheses in a study?
null
alternative
what is the null hypothesis?
states that the IV will have no effect on the DV
what is the alternative hypothesis?
predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV
what are the two categories the alternative hypothesis can fall into?
directional
non-directional
what is the non-directional hypothesis?
does not state the direction of the predicted differences between conditions
what is the directional hypothesis?
does state the direction of the predicted difference between conditions
how do we choose which alternative hypothesis to use?
if there is previous research in the field, we choose directional
if there isn’t previous research, we choose non-directional
what is a pilot study?
small-scale investigation conducted before research
why do we use a pilot study?
help us identify whether there needs to be any modifications in the design on the planned study
