Research methods

• What is a hypothesis? 


  A precisely worded testable statement, made on the outset of an investigation meaning it is predicative and it indicates the expected outcome of a study.
• Operationalisation definition

  To be precise and clear about what is being manipulated or measured to make it testable and repeatable.
• Directional (one tailed) hypothesis

  states which way results will go

  Key words examples - higher, fewer, more than, less than

  used for repeating research
• Non directional (two-tailed) hypothesis 


  Doesn't state which way results will go

  Example - There will be a difference

  Used for new research
• Null hypothesis

  States there will be no effect in a study
• Hypothesis writing recipe

  1. mentions both conditions of IV
  2. correct type of hypothesis (directional, non directional or null)
  3. operationalise variables
• Independent variable (IV)


  Thing you would manipulate in an experiment
• Dependent variable


  Thing the researcher is measuring that changes as a result of manipulating the IV
• What is a control group?


  A group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment and is used as a baseline for comparison to ensure any differences in groups are due to the IV.
• Extraneous variable


  A nuisance variable that affects the DV, thus compromising the effect of the IV. Can affect any participant in both groups
• Confounding variable 


  A nuisance variable that effects the DV, compromising the effect of the IV. Varies systematically with the IV (one group is effected)
• Participant variables

  Differing individual characteristics of participants in experiment Eg personality, concentration, age, intelligence
• Situational variables

  External environmental factors and conditions that can influence or modify an experiment.
• Demand characteristics 


  When subjects pick up cues during an experiment and modify their behavior, thereby affecting and altering the results.
• Participant reactivity 


  When a participant changes their behavior to please or go against the experiment. Type of extraneous variable
• Investigator effects


  when a researcher unintentionally, or unconsciously influences the outcome of any research they are conducting. Eg body language and leading questions