Experimental method

• Experimental method

  • Involves the manipulation of the IV in an effort to study it's effect on the DV
  • These experiments/ manipulation of the IV may occur in a laboratory, natural, quasi and field settings
• Aim

  • A general statement of what the researcher intends to study
  • Describes the purpose of the study
• Hypothesis

  • A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
  • Stated at the outset of the study
• Directional hypothesis

  • ONE-TAILED HYPOTHESIS
  • States the direction of the difference or relationship between the IV and the DV
• Non-directional hypothesis

  • TWO-TAILED HYPOTHESIS
  • Does not state the direction of the difference or relationship between the IV and DV
• Variables

  • An thing which can vary or change within and experiment
  • Variables are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another
• Independent variable

  • IV
  • Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - or it changes naturally
  • So it's effect on the DV can be measured
• Operationalisation

  • Describes the process by which a researcher can clearly define variables in terms of how they can be measured