topic 7 + 8 research methods

Question 1

what is an aim?

Answer 1

a general expression of what the researcher intends to investigate

Question 2

what are hypotheses?

Answer 2

a testable statement that predicts the results in a study. must include operationalised variables (IV and DV)

Question 3

what’s the difference between an aim and hypothesis?

Answer 3

a hypothesis is a specific prediction about what will happen whereas and aim goes beyond this and includes the purpose of the research

Question 4

describe a two tailed / non directional hypothesis

Answer 4

predicts the IV will cause a difference in the DV but doesn’t state how
used when there is no previous research, or when research is contradictory
template: there will be a significant difference in DV when IV1 compared to IV2

Question 5

describe a one tailed / directional hypothesis

Answer 5

predicts there will be a difference and what the difference will be - one will score more, higher, faster etc. than the other group
used when there are previous research findings
template: pp’s who IV1 will e.g. recall more, rate higher etc. than pp’s who IV2

Question 6

describe a null hypothesis

Answer 6

predicts that the IV will not significantly affect the DV. any differences will be due to chance factors, not manipulation of IV