Experimental method

• Define experimental method

  Involves the manipulation of an IV to measure the effect on the DV
• How many types of experimental methods are there?

  4
• What are the different types of experimental methods?

  Laboratory experiments, field experiments, natural experiments, and quasi-experiments.
• What is an aim?

  A general statement of what a researcher intends to investigate - the purpose of the study
• What is a hypothesis?

  A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
• When is a hypothesis stated?

  On the onset of any study
• What is the difference between a directional and non-directional hypothesis?

  Directional - states the direction of the difference or relationship

  Non-directional - does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
• What is a variable?

  Any 'thing' that can vary or change within an investigation

  Generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing results in changes to another
• What is an independent variable?

  The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment.

  Can be manipulated by the researcher or naturally
• What is the dependent variable?

  The variable that is being measured by the researcher
• What is operationalisation?

  The process of clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured