RM: Hypotheses

• What is a hypothesis in research?


  A hypothesis is a statement of what the researcher believes to be true.
• How should a hypothesis be stated?


  A hypothesis should not be stated in the future tense.
• What does a researcher decide at the end of a study regarding the hypothesis?


  The researcher decides whether the evidence collected supports the hypothesis or not.
• How does a hypothesis differ from the aims of a research study?


  Aims are an initial statement of what the researcher plans to investigate, while a hypothesis is a formal and testable statement of the relationship between variables.
• What is an example of a directional hypothesis?


  Babies who sleep more do better than babies who sleep less.
• What is a confederate in a study?


  • An individual in a study
  • Not a real participant
  • Instructed how to behave by the investigator
• What is a directional hypothesis?


  A directional hypothesis states the direction of the predicted difference between two conditions or groups.
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?


  A non-directional hypothesis predicts that there is a difference between two conditions without stating the direction of the difference.
• What is the purpose of a pilot study?


  A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of a study to test aspects of the design for improvements.
• What are the differences between directional and non-directional hypotheses?


  • Directional hypothesis: States expected direction of results.
  • Non-directional hypothesis: States there is a difference without direction.
• How can you operationalise a hypothesis regarding sleep and school performance?


  By specifying that people who sleep an average of eight hours or more have better marks than those with less sleep.
• Why do psychologists use directional hypotheses?


  Psychologists use directional hypotheses when past research suggests findings will go in a particular direction.
• When do psychologists prefer to use non-directional hypotheses?


  When there is no past research or when past research is contradictory.
• What is an example of a directional hypothesis related to homework and TV?


  • Directional hypothesis: People who do homework without the TV produce better results than those with the TV on.
• What is an example of a non-directional hypothesis related to homework and TV?


  • Non-directional hypothesis: People who do homework with or without TV produce different results than those who do homework with TV on.
• What is the significance of operationalising the independent and dependent variables in hypotheses?


  Operationalising ensures clarity and specificity in how variables are measured and defined.
• What is the humorous scenario presented in the study material about a shy guy in a pub meant to illustrate?


  It illustrates how people respond to embarrassing situations.