Paper 2 Research Methods

Question 1

What is the meaning of ‘Aim;?

Answer 1

• A general statement of what the research intends to investigate., the purpose of the study.

Question 2

What is the meaning of ‘Hypothesis’?

Answer 2

• A clear precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables being investigated. It predicts a statistically significant effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable.(an experiment), or a significant relationship between variables (correlation study). it is stated at the outset of any study.

Question 3

What is the Meaning of ‘ directional hypothesis’?

Answer 3

• Testable statement that states the direction go the difference or relationship.

Question 4

What is the meaning of ‘Non- directional Hypothesis’?

Answer 4

• Testable statement that does not state the direction of the difference or relationship.

Question 5

What is the meaning of a ‘Null hypothesis’?

Answer 5

• Testable statement that predicts that a statistically significant difference or relationship will not be found.

Question 6

What is a ‘variable’?

Answer 6

• Any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation. Variables are used in experiments to determine if changes in one ‘thing’ result in changes to another ‘thing’.

Question 7

What is an ‘independent variable’?

Answer 7

• The variable that is manipulated by the researcher so that they can measure the effect on the dependent variable.

Question 8

what is a ‘dependent variable’?

Answer 8

• The variable that is measured by the researcher so that they can measure the effect on the independent variable.

Question 9

What is ‘operationalisation’?

Answer 9

• clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.

Question 10

When is an aim usually identified?

Answer 10

• Once an area one study has been identified, usually based on interest and previously conducted research.

Question 11

What step comes next after devising an aim?

Answer 11

• A hypothesis needs to be formulated.

Question 12

What two things can a hypothesis be?

Answer 12

• A directional or Non-directional hypothesis.

Question 13

How are directional and Non-Directional hypotheses?

Answer 13

• A directional hypothesis would include words like ‘more or less, higher or lower, faster or slower’ etc. they are used when a theory or the findings of previous research suggest a particular outcome.
• A Non- directional hypothesis are usually used when there is no theory or previous research, or findings from earlier studies are contradictory.

Question 14

What do you need to include when writing a hypothesis for an exam answer?

Answer 14

1) Use the information provided in the question to appropriately select if the hypothesis should be directional or non-directional.
2) Operationalise variables to make them clear and measurable. This often involves providing a ‘unit’ of measurement. If it is a difference hypothesis (experiment) the IV and the DV must be operationalised, If it is a relationship hypothesis (correlation) the co-variables must be operationalised.