Methods of research (year one)

Question 1

What must happen in a true experiment?

Answer 1

There must be a control condition and experimental method and they must be randomly assigned

Question 2

What does the researcher do to the independent and dependent variables?

Answer 2

The researcher manipulates the independent variable in order to test the effect on the dependent variable

Question 2

What is the independent variable?

Answer 2

A variable that is manipulated by the researcher - or changes naturally

Question 3

What is the dependent variable?

Answer 3

Variable measured by the researcher caused by damages in the IV

Question 4

What are the experimental and control conditions

Answer 4

The control condition is an initial baseline measure
The experimental condition is the one with researcher manipulation - one they look for differences in

Question 5

What is operationalisation

Answer 5

Clearly defining variables so they can be measured

Question 6

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 6

A testable statement predicting the outcome of the study

Question 7

What is a Null hypothesis?

Answer 7

This predicts there will be no difference

Question 8

What is an alternate hypothesis?

Answer 8

These predict a difference or relationship and can be directional or non-directional

Question 9

What is a directional (two-tailed) hypothesis?

Answer 9

The researcher makes it clear what sort of difference or relationship that may be seen between the two conditions uses words like ‘more’ and ‘less’

Question 10

What is a non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis ?

Answer 10

When there is no previous research to suggest the direction of the words and you can only claim “there will/wont be a difference”