Aims, Hypotheses and Variables

• What is the aim of a study?

  The aim is a general statement covering the topic that will be investigated.
• What does the aim of a study identify?

  The aim identifies the purpose of the research.
• How is the aim expressed in a study?

  It is a straightforward expression of what the researcher will attempt to find out.
• What is an example of an aim in a study?

  'To investigate the effect of caffeine on memory.'
• What is a hypothesis?

  A hypothesis is a testable statement predicting what the researcher expects to find.
• How do hypotheses differ from the aim of a study?

  Hypotheses must be precise and unambiguous, while aims are expressed in general terms.
• What are the two types of hypothesis?

  The null hypothesis (NH) and the alternative hypothesis (AH).
• What should the alternative hypothesis (AH) include?

  The AH should include the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV).
• How can the independent variable (IV) be operationalised?

  By specifying how it will be manipulated, such as using different conditions.
• What is an example of operationalising the IV in a caffeine study?

  Participants drink either 200ml of caffeine or 200ml of water before a memory test.
• How is the dependent variable (DV) operationalised in the caffeine study example?

  The DV is the number of correctly recalled items from a list of 15 words.
• What are the two types of alternative hypothesis (AH)?

  Directional (one-tailed) and non-directional (two-tailed).
• What does a directional hypothesis predict?

  A directional hypothesis predicts the direction of the difference in conditions.
• Provide an example of a directional hypothesis related to caffeine and memory.

  Participants who drink 200ml of caffeine will recall more items than those who drink water.
• What does a non-directional hypothesis predict?

  A non-directional hypothesis predicts that a difference will be shown without specifying the direction.
• Provide an example of a non-directional hypothesis related to caffeine and memory.

  There will be a difference in recalled items depending on whether participants drank caffeine or water.
• What is the null hypothesis (NH)?

  The NH assumes that the independent variable will not affect the dependent variable.
• Why is the null hypothesis important in research?

  It serves as the starting point for all research until results are analyzed.
• What happens if the results show no difference between conditions in an experiment?

  The null hypothesis must be kept or accepted.
• What happens if the experiment shows a difference in conditions?

  The null hypothesis can be rejected, and the alternative hypothesis is accepted.
• How are hypotheses for correlational investigations written?

  They are written similarly to experimental hypotheses but use 'relationship/correlation' instead of 'difference.'
• Provide an example of a non-directional hypothesis for a correlational study.

  There will be a relationship between caffeine consumption and hours slept.
• Provide an example of a directional hypothesis for a correlational study.

  There will be a positive relationship between caffeine consumption and hours slept.
• What is the null hypothesis for a correlational study?

  There will be no relationship between the variables studied.