research methods

Question 1

What is an Aim?

Answer 1

General statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study

Question 2

What is a Hypothesis?

Answer 2

A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.

Question 3

What is a Non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 3

Simply states that there will be a difference made, does not specify

Question 4

What is a directional hypothesis?

Answer 4

Predicts the direction of the effect that the independent variable will have on the dependent variable.

Question 5

what is a pilot study? what is the purpouse?

Answer 5

-small scale prototype/replica of a study carried out in advance of the full research
-to find out if there are any problems with experimental design, instructions for participants, measuring instruments

Question 6

what are the benefits of doing a pilot study?

Answer 6

-ensure that time, effort and money are not wasted on a flawed methodology

Question 7

What are standardised procedures?

Answer 7

Very clear instructions that are the exact same for each participant in a condition.

Question 8

Why should standardised procedures be used?

Answer 8

To reduce confounding variables
-ensure that the experiment is going as it should do
-reduce investigator effects

Question 9

What is the purpose of a correlation?

Answer 9

-illustrates the strength and direction of an association between two or more co-variables

Question 10

What is the difference between correlation and an experiment?

Answer 10

-In an experiment the researcher controls or manipulates the IV in order to measure the effect on the DV. As a result of this deliberate change in one variable it is possible to infer that the IV caused any observed changes in the DV.
-In a correlation, there is no manipulation of one variable therefore it is not possible to establish cause and effect.

Question 11

What are the limitations of correlation?

Answer 11

-cannot demonstrate cause and effect as confounding variable could be causing change
-can be misused/ misinterpreted

Question 12

What are the strengths of correlation?

Answer 12

-provide a precise and quantifiable measure of how two variables are related
-often used as a starting point before committing to experiment
-secondary data can be used