Experimental Method

• Aim


  Have an initial idea and then narrow focus of the research to produce an aim. Aims are developed through theories and are sophisticated -take many hours of research
• Hypothesis

  A statement made at the start of study stating the relationship between variables
• Directional Hypothesis


  The researcher makes it clear what difference is anticipated between the 2 conditions or groups. Include words like higher/lower
• Non-directional hypothesis


  Simply states that there is a difference between groups or conditions but not what the difference will be.
• Deciding what hypothesis to use

  Directional hypothesis used when there are previous studies that suggest a particular outcome while a Non-directional hypothesis is used when there is no previous research. Reputation of researcher may be on the line
• Independent and dependent variables

  Researcher manipulates the IV and measures the effect of this change on the DV. All other variables should remain constant so that researcher is sure only the IV affected the DV
• Different experimental conditions

  Control condition does not have the IV and is compared to the experimental condition which does have the IV
• Operationalising Variables

  Researchers are interested in social behaviour, thinking or intelligence yet they are hard to define so it is important that researcher ensures that the variables being investigated are as measurable as possible and include lots of detail