aim, hypothesis and variables

• What is an aim?

  A general outline about the purpose of the investigation.
• What is a hypothesis?

  A clear, testable prediction, including all variables and conditions, a testable statement of what you believe to be true. E.g., includes information on how the variable is tested (should not be vague or an explanation).
• What does a directional hypothesis do?

  States that there will be a difference between two results and predicts the difference e.g., increase or decrease.
• What does a non-directional hypothesis do?

  States that there will be a difference between results, but not what that difference will be, e.g., impact, difference.
• What is an independent variable?

  What the researcher manipulates in the experiment.
• What is a dependent variable?

  What the researcher measures in the experiment.
• What are extraneous variables?

  Unwanted variables that may affect the results.
• What are situational variables?

  Features of the experimental environment that may affect participants behaviour.
• What are participant variables?

  Individual differences which exist between participants.
• What does it mean to operationalise a variable?

  Describe the variable in terms of how they will be precisely manipulated and measured.
• What are demand characteristics?

  When participants guess the aim of a study and what is expected of them, so they change their natural behaviour.
• What are investigator effects?

  When researchers accidentally influence the results of their research. E.g., when the participant knows the researcher.