Research methods
psychology
, Aims and hypothesis’
Aim= a general statement about the purpose of the
investigation. It should include what is being studied and
what the investigation is trying to achieve.
Hypothesis= this is a prediction about the expected
outcome of the investigation. It is precise and testable.
There are too types of hypothesis: null and alternative.
They can be directional (one tailed) where the prediction is
precise in it’s direction of results or non-directional (two
tailed) where there is a less precise prediction of direction.
, Independent and dependent
variables
Independent variable= this is what the researcher
manipulates to see if it effects the dependent variable.
Dependent variable= this is what the researcher
measures to see if the independent variable has had
an effect.
, Extraneous variables
Extraneous variables= those other than the IV that
may effect the DV. They must be eliminated or
controlled to prevent them from affecting the DV and
confounding the results.
Participant variables= things to do with the
participants. This can be eliminated by a mix of
participants- random allocation.
Situational variables= things to do with the
environment which might affect participant behaviour.
This can be controlled by standardised procedures.
psychology
, Aims and hypothesis’
Aim= a general statement about the purpose of the
investigation. It should include what is being studied and
what the investigation is trying to achieve.
Hypothesis= this is a prediction about the expected
outcome of the investigation. It is precise and testable.
There are too types of hypothesis: null and alternative.
They can be directional (one tailed) where the prediction is
precise in it’s direction of results or non-directional (two
tailed) where there is a less precise prediction of direction.
, Independent and dependent
variables
Independent variable= this is what the researcher
manipulates to see if it effects the dependent variable.
Dependent variable= this is what the researcher
measures to see if the independent variable has had
an effect.
, Extraneous variables
Extraneous variables= those other than the IV that
may effect the DV. They must be eliminated or
controlled to prevent them from affecting the DV and
confounding the results.
Participant variables= things to do with the
participants. This can be eliminated by a mix of
participants- random allocation.
Situational variables= things to do with the
environment which might affect participant behaviour.
This can be controlled by standardised procedures.
