the experimental method Flashcards
define the experimental method
involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable
what may the experiments be ?
- laboratory
- field
- natural
- quasi
define aim
a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate (the purpose of the study)
where are aims developed from and tend to be …?
theories and tend to be more sophisticated and based on many more hours of research
give an example of an aim (SPEEDUP)
to investigate whether drinking energy makes people more talkative
define a hypothesis
a clear , precise teasable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
after writing a aim we need to …
formulate a hypothesis
write a hypothesis in terms of (SPEEDUP)
drinking speedup causes people to become more talkative
what are the 2 types of hypothesis ?
non-directional + directional
define directional hypothesis
states the direction of the difference of the relationship
define non-directional hypothesis
does not state the direction but states that there is a difference between conditions (not specified)
what does the researcher make clear in directional hypothesis ?
the sort of difference that is anticipated between the 2 conditions/groups of people
what words may a directional hypothesis include ?
more or less
higher or lower
faster or slower
(etc)
write a directional hypothesis in terms of (SPEEDUP)
-people who drink speedup become more talkative than people who don’t
write a directional hypothesis in terms od (WATER)
people who drink water are less talkative then people who drink speedup
write an non-directional hypothesis in terms of (SPEEDUP)
people who drink speedup differ in terms of talkativeness compared with people who don’t drink speedup
describe how a researcher would carry out the experiment about (SPEEDUP)
- gather together 2 groups of people
–> 10 in each group - with the 1st group give each participant a can of speedup to drink
3.in the other group the participant will each have a glass of water - then record how many words each participant says in a 5-minute period IMMEDIATELY after they have a drink
when would psychologists use a directional hypothesis ?
- when the findings of previous research suggest a particular outcome
when would psychologists use a non-directional hypothesis ?
when there is no previous research OR findings from an earlier studies are condicatary
in the case on (SPEEDUP) which hypothesis would be used and why ?
directional hypothesis
–> even though it is a new energy drink
the effects of caffeine and sugar on talkativeness is well-documented
