RESEARCH METHODS: Experimental Methods

Question 1

what are research methods?

Answer 1

The means by which psychologists construct and test theories concerning the mind and behaviour.
Without research methods there would be no theories or practical applications.
They are used to test explanations

Question 2

what is the experimental method?

Answer 2

involves the manipulation of an independant variable (IV) to measure the effect on the dependant variable (DV). Experiments may be laboratory, field, natural or quasi.

Question 3

what are aims?

Answer 3

The general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate.

Question 4

what is a hypothesis?

Answer 4

a clear precise testable statement that states the relationships between the variables to be studied . It is stated at the start of the study.

Question 5

what are the 3 different types of hypothesis?

Answer 5

Directional hypothesis
Non - directional hypothesis
Null hypothesis

Question 6

what is directional hypothesis?

Answer 6

• Also known as one tailed
• states the expected direction of your results

Question 7

what is non directional hypothesis?

Answer 7

• Also knows as two-tailed
• predicts there will be a difference in two conditions , but does not state the direction of difference

Question 8

what is null hypothesis?

Answer 8

• the hypothesis of no differences
• it predicts that IV will not affect the DV

Question 9

when would a researcher use directional hypothesis?

Answer 9

when the findings of previous research studies suggest a particular outcome

Question 10

when would a researcher use non directional hypothesis?

Answer 10

when no previous or previous findings are contradictory

Question 11

what are variables?

Answer 11

Anything that can vary or change within an investigation

Question 12

what is an IV?

Answer 12

Independant variable - an aspect of experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - or changes naturally - so the affect on the DV can be measured.

Question 13

what is a DV?

Answer 13

Dependant variable - the variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in IV.

Question 14

what are the levels of IV?

Answer 14

control condition and experimental condition

Question 15

what is the control condition?

Answer 15

it is the neutral condition, before the change is made

eg only water is drank instead of speedup drink

Question 16

what is experimental condition?

Answer 16

is the condition after the change is made

Question 17

what is operationalisation?

Answer 17

clearly defining variables in how they can be measured