research methods

• What does the aim of a study represent?

  A general statement covering the topic
• Why is the aim important in research?

  It identifies the purpose of the research
• How is the aim expressed in research?

  As a straightforward expression of intent
• What is an example of a research aim?

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

  A testable statement predicting research outcomes
• How do hypotheses differ from aims?

  Hypotheses are precise and unambiguous
• What are the two types of hypothesis?

  Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis
• What does the alternative hypothesis include?

  Independent variable and dependent variable
• How should the independent variable be operationalized?

  By specifying how it will be manipulated
• How should the dependent variable be operationalized?

  By specifying how it will be measured
• What is a directional hypothesis?

  It predicts the direction of the difference
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?

  It predicts a difference without direction
• Give an example of a directional hypothesis.

  Caffeine improves memory recall compared to water
• Give an example of a non-directional hypothesis.

  There will be a difference in memory recall
• What is the null hypothesis?

  It assumes no effect of the IV on the DV
• What does the null hypothesis state in the caffeine study?

  No difference in memory recall between drinks
• What happens if the results show no difference?

  The null hypothesis is accepted
• What happens if the results show a difference?

  The null hypothesis can be rejected
• How are hypotheses for correlational investigations written?

  Using 'relationship/correlation' instead of 'difference'
• Give an example of a non-directional hypothesis for correlation.

  There will be a relationship between caffeine and sleep
• Give an example of a directional hypothesis for correlation.

  There will be a negative relationship between caffeine and sleep
• What is an independent variable (IV)?

  The variable that is manipulated in an experiment
• Why is the IV important in an experiment?

  To observe its effect on the dependent variable
• Give an example of an independent variable.

  Learning words in silence or loud music
• What is a dependent variable (DV)?

  The variable that is measured in an experiment
• How is the DV determined in an experiment?

  It depends on how the IV is set up
• Give an example of a dependent variable.

  The number of items recalled from a list
• What is operationalizing variables?

  Defining how IV and DV are implemented
• How is the IV operationalized in the caffeine study?

  By defining conditions of caffeine or water
• How is the DV operationalized in the caffeine study?

  By measuring correctly recalled items from a list
• What are extraneous variables?

  Factors that affect the DV but not the IV
• Why are extraneous variables controlled?

  To prevent them from affecting the DV
• What can happen if extraneous variables are not controlled?

  They can become confounding variables
• What are confounding variables?

  Factors that negatively impact research findings
• What should researchers do if confounding variables are suspected?

  Acknowledge them in the discussion section
• How can confounding variables affect the DV?

  They can obscure the true effect of the IV
• What are behavioral categories used for in observations?

  To record specific observable behaviors
• Why must behavioral categories be unambiguous?

  To ensure clarity in what is being observed
• Give an example of a specific behavioral category.

  Aggressive body language (ABL)
• What is inter-observer reliability?

  • Consistency between two or more observers
  • Ensures reliability of behavioral categories
  • Reduces researcher bias in observations