the experimental method

Question 1

define the experimental method

Answer 1

involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable

Question 2

what may the experiments be ?

Answer 2

• laboratory
• field
• natural
• quasi

Question 3

define aim

Answer 3

a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate (the purpose of the study)

Question 4

where are aims developed from and tend to be …?

Answer 4

theories and tend to be more sophisticated and based on many more hours of research

Question 5

give an example of an aim (SPEEDUP)

Answer 5

to investigate whether drinking energy makes people more talkative

Question 6

define a hypothesis

Answer 6

a clear , precise teasable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated

Question 7

after writing a aim we need to …

Answer 7

formulate a hypothesis

Question 8

write a hypothesis in terms of (SPEEDUP)

Answer 8

drinking speedup causes people to become more talkative

Question 9

what are the 2 types of hypothesis ?

Answer 9

non-directional + directional

Question 10

define directional hypothesis

Answer 10

states the direction of the difference of the relationship

Question 11

define non-directional hypothesis

Answer 11

does not state the direction but states that there is a difference between conditions (not specified)

Question 12

what does the researcher make clear in directional hypothesis ?

Answer 12

the sort of difference that is anticipated between the 2 conditions/groups of people

Question 13

what words may a directional hypothesis include ?

Answer 13

more or less
higher or lower
faster or slower
(etc)

Question 14

write a directional hypothesis in terms of (SPEEDUP)

Answer 14

-people who drink speedup become more talkative than people who don’t

Question 15

write a directional hypothesis in terms od (WATER)

Answer 15

people who drink water are less talkative then people who drink speedup

Question 16

write an non-directional hypothesis in terms of (SPEEDUP)

Answer 16

people who drink speedup differ in terms of talkativeness compared with people who don’t drink speedup

Question 17

describe how a researcher would carry out the experiment about (SPEEDUP)

Answer 17

1. gather together 2 groups of people
   –> 10 in each group
2. 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
3. then record how many words each participant says in a 5-minute period IMMEDIATELY after they have a drink

Question 18

when would psychologists use a directional hypothesis ?

Answer 18

• when the findings of previous research suggest a particular outcome

Question 19

when would psychologists use a non-directional hypothesis ?

Answer 19

when there is no previous research OR findings from an earlier studies are condicatary

Question 20

in the case on (SPEEDUP) which hypothesis would be used and why ?

Answer 20

directional hypothesis
–> even though it is a new energy drink
the effects of caffeine and sugar on talkativeness is well-documented