HYPOTHESES

• Hypothesis


  A testable statement written as a prediction of what the researcher expects to find as a result of their experiment
• Hypothesis


  • Should be no more than one sentence long
  • Needs to include the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV)
  • Both IV & DV need to be operationalised - giving specifics on how each variable is to be manipulated or measured
• Experimental Hypothesis


  The hypothesis which directly predicts the effect of the IV on the DV
• Directional Experimental Hypothesis


  • Predicts the direction of the change/difference (it anticipates more specifically what might happen)
  • Usually used when there is previous research which support a particular theory or outcome
• Directional Experimental Hypothesis


  • Participants who drink 200ml of an energy drink 5 minutes before running 100m will be faster (in seconds) than participants who drink 200ml of water 5 minutes before running 100m
  • Participants who learn a poem in a room in which loud music is playing will recall less of the poem's content than participants who learn the same poem in a silent room
• Non-Directional Experimental Hypothesis


  • Does not predict the direction of the change/difference (it is an 'open goal' i.e. anything could happen)
  • Usually used when there is either no or little previous research which support a particular theory or outcome
• Non-Directional Experimental Hypothesis


  • There will be a difference in time taken (in seconds) to run 100m depending on whether participants have drunk 200ml of an energy drink or 200ml of water 5 minutes before running
  • There will be a difference in recall of a poem depending on whether participants learn the poem in a room in which loud music is playing or in a silent room
• Null Hypothesis


  • The hypothesis that states the IV will have no effect on the DV
  • All published psychology research must include the null hypothesis
• Null Hypothesis


  • There will be no difference in children's acts of imitative and non-imitative aggression depending on whether they have observed an aggressive adult model or a non-aggressive adult model
  • There will be no difference in time taken (in seconds) to run 100m depending on whether participants have drunk 200ml of an energy drink or 200ml of water 5 minutes before running
  • There will be no difference in recall of a poem depending on whether participants learn the poem in a room in which loud music is playing or in a silent room
• Once a researcher has collected and then statistically analysed their findings they will make a statement of significance in which they will either accept or reject the null hypothesis
• Directional Hypothesis


  Jim should use a directional hypothesis because previous research exists that states what might happen
• Directional Hypothesis


  • Participants will remember more items from a shopping list in a memory game within the hour after eating 50g of chocolate, compared to when they have not consumed any chocolate