Experimental Methods

Question 1

define an ‘aim’?

Answer 1

• general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate: purpose of the study.

Question 2

define a ‘hypothesis’?

Answer 2

-a clear statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated. stated at outset of study

Question 3

what is a directional hypothesis + example?

Answer 3

• states the relationship between the two variables
• people who drink energy drinks will become more talkative than people who do not
• one tailed hypothesis (D)

Question 4

what is a non-directional hypothesis + example?

Answer 4

• does not state the relationship between the two variables
• people who drink energy drinks will see a change in talkativeness
• two tailed hypothesis (ND)

Question 5

what is a null hypothesis + example?

Answer 5

• statement of no effect

- the energy drink will have no impact of talkativeness

Question 6

what are the two ways of assessing internal validity?

Answer 6

• face validity: when an assessment or test appears to do what it claims to do (bit hard to explain)
• concurrent validity: comparing a new test with an existing test to see if they produce similar results

Question 7

what are the two ways of assessing external validity

Answer 7

• ecological validity: extent to which the findings can be generalised to a real-life setting.
• temporal validity: validity of the findings in relation to the progression of time, is it still relevant today?

Question 8

how would you decide what type of hypothesis to use?

Answer 8

• directional: when findings of previous research studies suggest a particular outcome
• non-directional: when there is no previous research or findings from that study are contradictory

Question 9

explain researcher manipulation of the IV and DV?

Answer 9

• researcher manipulates the IV
• and records/ measures the change on the DV
• all other variables that might affect the DV should remain constant so researcher can be confident cause of the effect on the DV was the IV.