hypothesis and variables

• Theory:

  suggested explanation for behaviour
• aim:

  general statement that explains the purpose of the study
• variables

  anything that can change or vary
• Independent variable:

  • the variable that is deliberately changing
  • has options based on what we change called conditions
• Dependent variable

  • the thing being measured
  • only thing that should affect this is the change in independent variable
• Operationalising

  • variables are measurable so we identify some clear operational instructions
  • make sure variables can be tested by making them specific
  • IV: define levels
  • DV: how it will be measured
• Hypothesis:

  • clear and precise testable statement
  • a prediction about what could happen in research
  • relationship + DV + two levels of the IV
• Null hypothesis:

  • A statement of no relationship or not difference between the variables
• Alternative hypothesis:

  • a statement of the relationship or difference between the variables
  • Directional hypothesis: States the 'direction' we expect our results to go.
  • Non-directional hypothesis: Does not state a direction.
• Research procedures:

  Instructions to participants

  • standardised instructions- giving each participant exactly the same information about the study to ensure what is said to them does not act as an extraneous variable
• Extraneous variable:

  • unwanted variables that could affect the dependent variable if not controlled
  • e.g noice, temperature
  • controlled best in a laboratory
• Research procedures:

  Standardised procedures

  • researcher uses exactly the same methods and istructions for all participants
• Research Procedures

  Randomisation

  • using chance to control for bias