7.1.1 Aims and Hypotheses

• What is the aim of an experiment in research terms?

  Overall purpose or goal
• The aim of an experiment identifies the variables being studied
• The aim of an experiment specifies the relationship expected between variables.
• What is an example of an aim in psychological research?

  Effect of caffeine on memory
• Objectives are specific, measurable steps to achieve the aim
• Match the purpose of aims and objectives:

  Aims ↔️ Broad research purpose

  Objectives ↔️ Specific, measurable steps
• What is the scope of aims in research?

  General
• The scope of objectives in research is detailed
• What is an example of an objective for the aim to study the effect of caffeine on memory recall?

  Measure memory after caffeine
• The aim of an experiment is the overall goal the researcher is trying to achieve.
• What is a hypothesis in research terms?

  Precise statement of prediction
• The independent variable is the factor being manipulated
• What is the dependent variable in a hypothesis?

  Factor being measured
• The direction in a hypothesis describes whether the IV will increase or decrease the DV.
• What does the null hypothesis assume about the relationship between variables?

  No significant relationship
• The alternative hypothesis proposes that there is a significant relationship
• The null hypothesis aims to test and reject the claim of a relationship.
• What is an example of a null hypothesis in a study on the effect of caffeine on memory recall?

  Caffeine has no effect
• To formulate a hypothesis, first identify the variables
• The alternative hypothesis ($H_{1}$) states that there is a significant relationship between the variables being studied
• The null hypothesis proposes that there is a significant relationship between variables.

  False
• Match the research concept with its description:

  Aims ↔️ Broad statement of research purpose

  Objectives ↔️ Specific steps to achieve the aim
• A hypothesis is a precise statement that predicts the relationship between two or more variables
• The null hypothesis assumes that any observed effects are due to chance.
• The independent variable (IV) is the factor being manipulated
• The dependent variable (DV) is the factor being manipulated.

  False
• Steps to formulate a hypothesis

  1️⃣ Identify the variables

  2️⃣ Define the relationship

  3️⃣ Make a testable prediction
• A directional hypothesis predicts the direction of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent
• A non-directional hypothesis predicts the specific direction of the effect.

  False
• Match the hypothesis type with its prediction:

  Directional Hypothesis ↔️ IV increases DV

  Non-Directional Hypothesis ↔️ There will be an effect
• A directional hypothesis is also known as a one-tailed hypothesis.
• A non-directional hypothesis predicts whether the IV will increase or decrease the DV.

  False
• What are the two types of hypotheses?

  Directional and non-directional
• A directional hypothesis predicts the direction of the effect of the IV
• A non-directional hypothesis specifies the direction of the effect between variables.

  False
• What does a directional hypothesis predict?

  Direction of effect
• An example of a directional hypothesis is "Caffeine will increase memory recall
• A non-directional hypothesis results in a one-tailed test.

  False
• Match the hypothesis type with its example:

  Directional ↔️ Caffeine consumption will improve memory recall

  Non-directional ↔️ Caffeine consumption will affect memory recall
• What is operationalization in psychology?

  Defining variables measurably