research methods

• 1. hypothesis is an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved
• Theory is an idea intended to explain something
• psychologists research to test their theories
• variables are a thing in an experiment that doesn't have a specific value
• All psychological investigations start with an aim
• dependent variable depend on the change in the independent variable
• anything that potentially affects the dependent variable must be kept constant and controlled
• operationalisation of variables-how the variable is clearly defined by the researcher
• hypothesis needs to contain:

  1. DV
  2. relationship difference
  3. 2 levels of the IV
• alterative hypothesis states there is some kind of relationship or difference between the variables whereas null hypothesis states there is no relation or difference.