Aims and Hypotheses

• What is the main topic of the study material?

  Aims and Hypotheses
• What is the difference between aims and hypotheses?

  Aims state goals; hypotheses predict outcomes
• What should a researcher do after deciding on a method?

  State their research aims
• How are aims phrased for experiments?

  To investigate the effect of (IV) on (DV)
• How are aims phrased for correlations?

  To investigate the relationship between (variable 1) and (variable 2)
• What is a hypothesis?

  A precise and testable statement of belief
• What is an example of a hypothesis?

  Plants on a windowsill grow taller than in darkness
• What should not be included when writing a hypothesis?

  The word 'I'
• What word should be used in a hypothesis?

  The word 'significant'
• What must be done when operationalizing variables?

  Define both levels of the IV
• What is the name given to hypotheses in experiments?

  Experimental hypothesis
• What is the name given to hypotheses in non-experiments?

  Alternative hypothesis
• What is the difference between experimental and alternative hypotheses?

  They are two names for the same concept
• What is a directional hypothesis?

  States which condition will perform better
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?

  States there will be a difference or correlation
• When should a directional hypothesis be used?

  When past research indicates expected results
• When should a non-directional hypothesis be used?

  When unsure of the expected results
• What is a null hypothesis?

  States no difference or correlation exists
• Why do researchers write a null hypothesis?

  To keep an open mind about results
• What is an example of a null hypothesis?

  No significant difference in creativity of children
• What should be included in a hypothesis for a hot room experiment?

  Higher aggression scores in hot room participants
• What should be included in a hypothesis for a reward experiment?

  Difference in test scores with and without reward
• What should be included in a hypothesis for a gender-bias essay study?

  Difference in scores for essays with different names
• What are the criteria for scoring hypotheses?

  Clarity, coherence, and operationalization
• What is required for a hypothesis to earn full marks?

  Clear, coherent, and operationalized statement
• What are the steps to write an appropriate aim or hypothesis?

  • State the research aim clearly
  • Define the independent and dependent variables
  • Ensure the hypothesis is testable and operationalized
  • Use appropriate terminology (e.g., significant)
• What are the types of hypotheses and their characteristics?

  • Directional Hypotheses:
  • Predict specific outcomes
  • Used when past research is available
  • Non-Directional Hypotheses:
  • Indicate a difference or correlation
  • Used when results are uncertain
• What is the purpose of a null hypothesis?

  • States no difference or correlation
  • Keeps an open mind about research outcomes
  • Serves as a basis for statistical testing
• How do you operationalize variables in a hypothesis?

  • Clearly define the independent variable (IV)
  • Clearly define the dependent variable (DV)
  • Specify the conditions of the IV
• What are the rules for writing a hypothesis?

  • Avoid using 'I'
  • Include the word 'significant'
  • Operationalize all variables
  • Specify conditions of the IV for experiments
• What is the significance of directional and non-directional hypotheses?

  • Directional: Predicts specific outcomes based on prior research
  • Non-Directional: Indicates a difference or correlation without specific predictions