AS Psychology Notes
Research Methods
Amy Hannam
,Experimental Method
Aim – a general statement of what the researcher intends to investgatee the purpose of the study
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable statement.
Null Hypothesis – predictng nothing will happen, the opposite of your hypothesis.
“there will be no diference between x and y”
Directonal and Non-Directonal Hypothesis:
Hypothesis can be directonal or non-directonal. This can also be referred to as one-tailed or two-tailed.
DIRECTIONAL - states the directon of the diference or relatonship.
NON-DIRECTIONAL – does not state the directon.
Variables
Variables are any thing that can vary or change within an investgaton. Variables are generally used in
experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES (IV)
Manipulate
Some aspect of the experimental situaton that is manipulated by the researcher – or changes naturally – so
the efect on the DV can be measured.
DEPENDANT VARIABLES (DV)
Measure
The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any efect on the DV should be caused by the change in the
IV.
The Scientic c ethod:
1. Create a research queston
2. Form a hypothesis that is testable (operatonaliie)
3. Perform and experiment and collect data that can be seen and measured by others
4. Analyse the data
5. Interpret the data
6. Draw a conclusion and accept or reject the hypothesis
, Control of Variables
Extraneous Variables – any variable, other than the independent variable (IV), that may have an efect on
the dependent variable (DV) if it is not controlled. EVs are essentally nuisance variables that do not vary
systematcally with the IV.
Confounding Variables – any variable, other than the IV, that may have afected the DV so we cannot be
sure of the true source of changes to the DV. Confounding variables vary systematcally with the IV.
Operatonalisaton – clearly defning variables in terms of how they can be measured. This is typically
done by adding units.
Demand Characteristcs and Investgator Efects
DEc AND CHARACTERISITCS is the partcipant reactvity. It can be caused by any cue from the researcher or
the research situaton that causes the partcipant to change their behaviour within the research situaton,
altering the results and data collected.
INVESTIGATOR EFFECTS are any efect of the investgators behaviour (whether its conscious or unconscious)
on the research outcome (the DV.) This could include anything from the design of the study to the interacton
with the partcipants during the research process.
Randomisaton– the use of chance in order to control for the efects of bias when designing
materials and deciding the order of conditons.
Standardisaton – using exactly the same formaliied procedures and instructons for all partcipants in a
research study. This means experiments can be repeated accurately and precisely.
Research Methods
Amy Hannam
,Experimental Method
Aim – a general statement of what the researcher intends to investgatee the purpose of the study
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable statement.
Null Hypothesis – predictng nothing will happen, the opposite of your hypothesis.
“there will be no diference between x and y”
Directonal and Non-Directonal Hypothesis:
Hypothesis can be directonal or non-directonal. This can also be referred to as one-tailed or two-tailed.
DIRECTIONAL - states the directon of the diference or relatonship.
NON-DIRECTIONAL – does not state the directon.
Variables
Variables are any thing that can vary or change within an investgaton. Variables are generally used in
experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES (IV)
Manipulate
Some aspect of the experimental situaton that is manipulated by the researcher – or changes naturally – so
the efect on the DV can be measured.
DEPENDANT VARIABLES (DV)
Measure
The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any efect on the DV should be caused by the change in the
IV.
The Scientic c ethod:
1. Create a research queston
2. Form a hypothesis that is testable (operatonaliie)
3. Perform and experiment and collect data that can be seen and measured by others
4. Analyse the data
5. Interpret the data
6. Draw a conclusion and accept or reject the hypothesis
, Control of Variables
Extraneous Variables – any variable, other than the independent variable (IV), that may have an efect on
the dependent variable (DV) if it is not controlled. EVs are essentally nuisance variables that do not vary
systematcally with the IV.
Confounding Variables – any variable, other than the IV, that may have afected the DV so we cannot be
sure of the true source of changes to the DV. Confounding variables vary systematcally with the IV.
Operatonalisaton – clearly defning variables in terms of how they can be measured. This is typically
done by adding units.
Demand Characteristcs and Investgator Efects
DEc AND CHARACTERISITCS is the partcipant reactvity. It can be caused by any cue from the researcher or
the research situaton that causes the partcipant to change their behaviour within the research situaton,
altering the results and data collected.
INVESTIGATOR EFFECTS are any efect of the investgators behaviour (whether its conscious or unconscious)
on the research outcome (the DV.) This could include anything from the design of the study to the interacton
with the partcipants during the research process.
Randomisaton– the use of chance in order to control for the efects of bias when designing
materials and deciding the order of conditons.
Standardisaton – using exactly the same formaliied procedures and instructons for all partcipants in a
research study. This means experiments can be repeated accurately and precisely.
