Aims, Hypotheses, Variables

What is an aim?

What the psychologist wants to prove from a question

What should all aims start with?

‘To examine the effect of…’

What does IV stand for?

Independent Variable

What is an independent variable?

The variable that the researcher manipulates (changes) which is assumed to have a direct effect on the DV

What does DV stand for?

Dependent Variable

What is a dependent variable?

The variable that the researcher measures which is affected by the IV

What is operationalising variables?

How a variable is clearly defined by the researcher

What is a hypothesis?

Clear and precise prediction about the difference or relationship between the variables in the study

What are the types of hypotheses?

Directional

Non-directional

Null

What is a directional hypothesis?

Predicts the specific direction of the difference between two or more variables. Prediction based on past research on the topic

What is another term for a directional hypothesis?

One-tailed

What is a non-direction hypothesis?

Predicts that a difference will exist between two or more variables without predicting the exact direction of the difference. Usually if previous research as been inconclusive or contradictory

What is another term for a non-directional hypothesis?

Two-tailed

What is a null hypothesis?

Predicting there will be no difference found in the results between conditions

What is an extraneous variable?

Any variable other then the IV or the DV that may have an affect on the DV if its not controlled

What is a confounding variable?

Any variable other then the IV that hasn’t been controlled and has affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true reason of the changes to the DV

What is a demand characteristic?

When participants in the experiment try to guess the outcome to adjust their behaviour to fit with the aim or deliberately do the opposite

What are investigator effects?

Conscious or unconscious biased behaviour from the investigator that affects the study or how the participant responds

What is randomisation?

Using chance to control the effects of bias

What is standardisation?

Using identical procedures for all participants