RESEARCH
METHODS
, • Experimental method- doing an experiment to gather da
KEY TERMS
This is a method that involves the manipulation of an
independent variable to measure the effect on the depen
variable.
• Aim- a general statement about what the researcher inte
to investigate, the purpose of the study. Starts with 'to
investigate'.
• Hypothesis- A clear, precise, testable statement that stat
the relationship between the variables to be investigated
• Directional hypothesis- The researcher makes it clear the
of difference that is expected between the two condition
two groups of people eg. More, faster, slower, less.
• Non directional hypothesis- States that there is a differen
between conditions or groups of people, but the nature o
difference is not specified. Starts with 'there will be a
difference'.
,VARIABLES Variables- anything that can vary or change
within an investigation. Generally used in
experiments to determine if changes in one
thing result in changes in another.
Independent variable- The variable in an
experiment that is manipulated by the
researcher or changes naturally.
Dependent variable- The variable that is
measured by the researcher. Any effect on t
dependent variable is caused by the
independent variable.
Operationalisation- clearly defining the varia
in terms of how they will be measured. Ensu
the hypothesis is clear and testable.
, HOW DOES
A • Directional- when the
RESEARCHE
R DECIDE findings of previous
WHAT TYPE
OF research suggest a
HYPOTHESIS
TO USE? particular outcome.
• Non-directional- when the
are no previous findings o
findings are contradictory
METHODS
, • Experimental method- doing an experiment to gather da
KEY TERMS
This is a method that involves the manipulation of an
independent variable to measure the effect on the depen
variable.
• Aim- a general statement about what the researcher inte
to investigate, the purpose of the study. Starts with 'to
investigate'.
• Hypothesis- A clear, precise, testable statement that stat
the relationship between the variables to be investigated
• Directional hypothesis- The researcher makes it clear the
of difference that is expected between the two condition
two groups of people eg. More, faster, slower, less.
• Non directional hypothesis- States that there is a differen
between conditions or groups of people, but the nature o
difference is not specified. Starts with 'there will be a
difference'.
,VARIABLES Variables- anything that can vary or change
within an investigation. Generally used in
experiments to determine if changes in one
thing result in changes in another.
Independent variable- The variable in an
experiment that is manipulated by the
researcher or changes naturally.
Dependent variable- The variable that is
measured by the researcher. Any effect on t
dependent variable is caused by the
independent variable.
Operationalisation- clearly defining the varia
in terms of how they will be measured. Ensu
the hypothesis is clear and testable.
, HOW DOES
A • Directional- when the
RESEARCHE
R DECIDE findings of previous
WHAT TYPE
OF research suggest a
HYPOTHESIS
TO USE? particular outcome.
• Non-directional- when the
are no previous findings o
findings are contradictory
