hypothesis

• What is meant by an aim in research?

  A general statement about the purpose of the investigation
• What is meant by an experimental hypothesis?

  A precise, testable statement about the expected outcome of an experiment
• What are the two types of experimental hypotheses?

  Directional (one-tailed) and non-directional (two-tailed)
• How would you classify the hypothesis "Loud noise will reduce a person's ability to learn the information contained in a chapter of a book"?

  Directional hypothesis
• What does a non-directional hypothesis allow for?

  The possibility that loud noise may either reduce or improve learning
• When do psychologists typically use a directional hypothesis?

  When there is prior knowledge or research
• When do psychologists typically use a non-directional hypothesis?

  When they are unsure which direction the results will take
• Classify the following hypotheses as directional or non-directional: 1) Lack of sleep reduces reaction time. 2) Driving faster affects your chances of crashing. 3) Girls talk more than boys. 4) The older we get the worse our memory becomes.

  1. Directional
  2. Non-directional
  3. Directional
  4. Directional
• What are some templates for writing directional hypotheses?

  • "X will significantly increase/decrease Y"
  • "X will significantly improve/reduce Y"
  • "There will be a positive/negative correlation between CO-VARIABLE 1 and CO-VARIABLE 2"
• What are some templates for writing non-directional hypotheses?

  • "IV will have an effect on the DV"
  • "There will be a significant difference between condition A and condition B on the DV"
  • "There will be a significant relationship/correlation between CO-VARIABLE 1 and CO-VARIABLE 2"
• What is the purpose of a null hypothesis?

  To state that the independent variable will have no significant effect on the dependent variable
• What is operationalization of variables in hypothesis writing?

  • Defining a variable by the researcher
  • Developing a way to measure that variable
  • Ensuring the measurement method is valid
• What is an example of an operationalized variable for aggression in children?

  Frequency of aggressive acts such as blows, shouts, and pushes observed
• What is an example of an operationalized variable for problem-solving ability in older adults?

  Time taken to complete a puzzle
• Rewrite the hypothesis "People remember more when they study in short bursts than when studying for longer sessions" with operationalized IV and DV.

  People will perform better on a recall test when studying for 4, 15-minute bursts compared to a 1-hour session.
• What is the significance of operationalizing variables in research?

  It ensures that variables are defined and measurable for accurate research outcomes