Aims And Hypotheses

• What is the difference between research aims and hypotheses?

  Aims outline what to investigate; hypotheses state testable predictions
• What is an example of a research aim?

  To find out if colour can influence recall
• Why might a researcher choose to investigate a specific aim?

  Previous research raised interesting questions
• How should a researcher communicate their aim to others?

  By stating it clearly as a question or statement
• What is a hypothesis?

  A precise statement that can be tested
• How would you operationalize variables in a hypothesis?

  By stating how they are measured
• What is the null hypothesis?

  It states there is no difference between conditions
• Why do scientists accept the null hypothesis initially?

  To require strong evidence to reject it
• What is the alternate hypothesis also known as?

  Research hypothesis or H1
• What does the alternate hypothesis suggest?

  There is a difference between the conditions
• How do researchers decide which hypothesis to accept?

  By collecting data and using statistical tests
• What is a directional hypothesis?

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

  It states there is a difference but not the direction
• When would a researcher use a directional hypothesis?

  When previous research indicates the direction
• What is the significance of the word "proof" in science?

  It implies absolute certainty, which is not possible
• What is falsifiability in scientific theories?

  A theory must be open to being proven false
• What probability threshold is used to accept the alternate hypothesis?

  One in 20 or less
• What does accepting the alternate hypothesis imply?

  The evidence is strong enough to support it
• How should students phrase their findings in essays?

  Say the evidence supports the theory
• What are the types of hypotheses in research?

  • Null hypothesis (H0): No difference between conditions
  • Alternate hypothesis (H1): Difference exists between conditions
  • Directional hypothesis: Specifies the direction of the difference
  • Non-directional hypothesis: States a difference without direction
• What is the process of hypothesis testing?

  1. Formulate null and alternate hypotheses
  2. Collect data
  3. Use statistical tests
  4. Evaluate evidence
  5. Reject or accept hypotheses based on evidence
• What are the implications of using the word "prove" in science?

  • "Prove" implies absolute certainty
  • Science is open to new evidence
  • Theories must be falsifiable