Experimental method

• Aim: a general statement about what you are investigating
• Hypothesis: a testable statement that you will set out to test
• Directional/one-tailed hypothesis: predicts which direction the results will go in
• Non-directional/two-tailed hypothesis: does not state a direction, just states one variable will affect another
• Directional hypothesis used when the findings of a research suggests a specific outcome
• Non-directional hypothesis is used when there aren't any findings of a research that suggest a specific outcome
• Independent variable (IV) is something the researcher manipulates
• Dependent variable (DV) is what the researcher measures
• Operationalise means to make something (a variable) measurable
• The 2 levels of the IV:

  • Control condition - IV is not altered in some way
  • Experimental condition - IV is altered in some way