Hypotheses

• A hypothesis is..

  -a clear prediction that is testable and involves proposing a relationship between the independent and dependent variable

  -variables should be operationalised
• An alternative/experimental hypothesis suggests

  -there is a relationship between the two variables and the result is not due to chance

  -can be directional or non directional
• A directional hypothesis

  -states the kind of difference or relationship expected between the two conditions
• give an example of a directional hypothesis

  -people who do hw without the tv on will produce better results than those who do hw with the tv on
• if the study is looking at correlations e.g relationships

  -YOU MUST NOT SAY BETTER OR WORSE BUT RATHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE CORRELATION
• Directional hypotheses

  -require the use of the one-tailed test
• Non directional hypotheses suggest

  -there will be a difference between the 2 conditions without stating what the difference will be
• an example of a non directional hypotheses is

  -there is a difference in the work produced in noisy or silent conditions
• if the study is looking for a relationship

  -you must say there is a correlation between...
• Non directional hypotheses require the use of a...

  -two tailed test
• When there is previous research

  -we use a directional hypothesis
• When there is no previous research or the previous research is CONTRADICTORY

  -We use non directional hypothesis
• What is a null hypothesis

  -predict that there will be no difference or association between the variables you are studying

  -results are due to chance
• An example of the null hypothesis is

  -there will be no significant difference between condition 1 and 2 in terms of (DV)

  -Any difference will be due to chance