Experimental methods

• Define ‘aim’

  A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study
• Define ‘hypothesis’

  A clear, testable statement thats states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
• Define ‘directional hypothesis’

  States the direction of the difference or relationship
• Define ‘non-directional hypothesis’

  Does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
• Define ‘IV’

  Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher (or changes naturally) so the effect on the DV can be measured
• Define ‘DV’

  The variable that is measured by the researcher, any effect on it should be caused by the IV
• Define ‘operationalisation’

  Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured