Research Methods - Hypothesis & Variables

Question 1

What is an Aim?

Answer 1

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
The purpose of the study

Question 2

What is an Independant Variable?

Answer 2

An aspect of the experiment that is manipulated by the researcher or changes naturally so the effect on the DV can be measured.

Question 3

What is a Dependant Variable?

Answer 3

The variable that is measured by the researcher.

Any effect on the DV should be caused by the IV.

Question 4

What is ‘operationalising the variables’?

Answer 4

Clearly defining variables in terms of how they will be measured.

Question 5

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 5

A statement of what the researcher believes to be true

A clear precise testable statement that states the relationship between the variables being investigated.

Question 6

Null hypothesis?

Answer 6

A statement of no relationship between variables

Question 7

Alternative hypothesis?

Answer 7

Another term for hypothesis

States a relationship between variables