Aims, hypotheses & variables

• What is an aim in research?

  A general expression of what the research intends to investigate
• What is an independent variable (IV)?

  The part of the experiment that you change
• What is a dependent variable (DV)?

  The part of the experiment that you measure, which depends on the independent variable
• What is an extraneous variable (EV)?

  An additional factor that is not the independent variable but may affect the dependent variable
• What is a hypothesis?

  A precise, testable statement predicting the outcome of the research
• What does operationalisation mean in research?

  Defining variables in specific terms that allow them to be measured or manipulated
• What are the types of hypotheses in research?

  • Null hypothesis (H0)
  • Alternative hypothesis (H1)
  • Directional hypothesis (one-tailed)
  • Non-directional hypothesis (two-tailed)
• What does a null hypothesis predict?

  It predicts no difference or relationship between groups
• What does an alternative hypothesis predict?

  It predicts a difference or relationship between groups
• What is a directional hypothesis?

  It predicts a difference or relationship and states the direction of that difference
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?

  It predicts a difference or relationship but does not state the direction of that difference
• When do you use a directional hypothesis?

  When you have a previous hypothesis that states the difference
• When do you use a non-directional hypothesis?

  When you predict some difference but do not specify the direction
• What are the key components of aims and hypotheses in research methods?

  • Aims: General expression of what the research intends to investigate
  • Hypotheses: Precise, testable statements predicting outcomes
  • Types: Null, Alternative (Directional, Non-directional)