Experiments: Hypotheses

Question 1

What is a hypothesis

Answer 1

A precise and testable statement of the relationship between 2 variables that your researcher intends to prove/disprove

Question 2

What do we mean when we say a hypothesis is precise

Answer 2

The variables in the hypothesis need to be clearly operationalised

Question 3

What do we mean when we say a hypothesis is testable

Answer 3

It must be possible to gather evidence that will demonstrate whether the hypothesis has been supported or not

Question 4

What do we mean when we say a hypothesis is statement

Answer 4

It isn’t a question of what might happen. It states what you expect to happen

Question 5

What do we mean when we say a hypothesis shows the relationship between 2 variables

Answer 5

It should contain the IV (all levels of) and the DV

Question 6

What are the 4 types of hypothesis

Answer 6

• Directional hypothesis (one-tailed)
• Non-directional hypothesis (two-tailed)
• Alternative hypothesis (can be both directional and non-directional)
• Null hypothesis

Question 7

What is a directional hypothesis definition

Answer 7

Predicts the expected direction of findings

Question 8

Give an example of a directional hypothesis

Answer 8

Children who are taught at school will have a significantly HIGHER reading age than children who are taught at home

Question 9

What is a non-directional hypothesis

Answer 9

Does not predict the direction of findings. It just states that there will be a significant difference

Question 10

Give an example of a non-directional hypothesis

Answer 10

There will be a significant DIFFERENCE in reading age between children taught at school and children taught at home

Question 11

What is the formula for writing a directional hypothesis

Answer 11

1. Participants/people/etc who… IV1
2. Will… DV
3. Than participants/people/etc who… IV2

Question 12

What is the formula for writing a non-directional hypothesis

Answer 12

1. There will be a significant difference in… DV
2. Between Participants/people/etc who… IV1
3. And Participants/people/etc who… IV2

Question 13

What is an alternative (experimental) hypothesis

Answer 13

• A statement that predicts a pattern or trend in results (that the IV will have an effect on DV)
• KEY POINT: something WILL happen
• can be directional and non-directional

Question 14

How would you write a directional alternative hypothesis

Answer 14

Same formula for directional
- but: IV1 WILL have a more/less DV then IV2
- important part is ‘Will’

Question 15

How would you write a non-directional alternative hypothesis

Answer 15

• same rules
• but: there will be a significant difference in DV between IV1 and IV2
• key point is ‘will’

Question 16

What is a Null hypothesis

Answer 16

• A precise testable statement that predicts no pattern or trend in results (that the IV will not have an affect on the DV)
• something will not happen between the variables
• Null hypotheses can only be non-directional

Question 17

How would you write a Non-directional Null hypothesis

Answer 17

• same formula with non-directional
• but: there will be no significant difference…
• key part: ‘will be no’