3

• Aim

  Stated purpose of the research study (eg to find out if SSRIs improve depression symptoms)
• research question

  question the research is aiming to answer (eg do people taking SSRIs show an improvement in depression symptoms?)
• Experimental Hypothesis

  Prediction stated at the beginning of research (eg People taking SSRI medication will show a significant improvement in depression symptoms compared to those taking a placebo).
• Operationalise

  Details how the research variables will be manipulated/ measured (eg SSRI medication 10 mg per day; improvement in depression symptoms rated on a depression symptom index /40).
• Independent variable


  The variable which is manipulated (changed) (or just compared in a natural/quasi experiment) by the researcher. In the example above medication category would be the IV.
• Dependent variable


  Variable which is measured as an outcome by the researcher- in the above example it would be the difference in depression score between the beginning and end of the trial.
• Conditions of the IV

  Refers to the different groups which are being compared, known as conditions. At least 2 conditions of the IV will be used in an experiment. In the above example the two conditions are SSRI and placebo.
• Control group


  The group of participants who do not do the experimental condition of the IV, and which will be compared to the experimental group. In this case they are taking the placebo.
• Directional hypothesis


  Hypothesis stating that the difference will be in one direction (eg People who take SSRI medication will show an improvement in depression symptoms compared to those taking a placebo).
• Non-directional hypothesis


  Hypothesis stating just a difference (eg There will be a difference in improvement in depression symptoms between those who take SSRI medication and those who take a placebo.)