research methods: experimental method

Question 1

SpeedUpp example - what is the aim

Answer 1

to investigate if energy drinks make people more talkative

Question 2

SpeedUppp example - non-directional hypothesis

Answer 2

people who drink 300ml of SpeedUpp differ in how many words they say in the next 5 minutes compared to people who drink 300ml of water

Question 3

SpeedUppp example - directional hypothesis

Answer 3

people who drink 300ml SpeedUpp say more words in the next 5 minutes than people who drink 300ml of water.

Question 4

when is a non-directional hypothesis used

Answer 4

when there is no previous relevant research/ the findings from previous research are contradictory

Question 5

what is the IV

Answer 5

the variable you manipulate/control

Question 6

what is the DV

Answer 6

the variable you research/measure

Question 7

what is a CV

Answer 7

the variables you keep the same

Question 8

to test the effect of the IV you need experimental conditions with different levels of the IV. what would this be in the speedup example

Answer 8

two conditions: SpeedUpp or no SpeedUp
two levels of the IV:
control condition (no SpeedUpp)
experimental condition (SpeedUpp)

Question 9

what is a null hypothesis

Answer 9

says there is no statistical differance between the two variable
(experimentor usually tries to disprove this)

Question 10

what would a null hypothesis be for the SpeedUp example

Answer 10

there is no difference in the number of words said in the next 5 minutes by people who drink 300ml of SpeedUpp and people who drink 300ml of water,