Aims and Hypotheses

Aims and Hypothesis

What is an aim?

A clearly phrased, general statement of what the researcher indents to investigate

Aims and Hypothesis

What can be included in an aim?

Give an example:

• Purpose of the study (eg: following on from previous study/a direct replication)

• Phrases as a question/statement

• eg: The aim of this research is to find out if colour can influence recall, due to previous research showing exposure to green plants increased recall

Aims and Hypothesis

What is a hypothesis?

Give an example:

• A precise, testable statement including operationalised descriptions of the IV + DV (or both covariables)

• eg: there is a difference in the number of words recalled by Ps recalling in blue light vs Ps recalling in green lighting

Aims and Hypothesis

What is a null hypothesis?

• A hypothesis stating there is no change (difference) in the measurement of the DV bcs of manipulating the IV

• If the data collected doesn’t support it, can reject it, and move onto the experimental hypothesis

Aims and Hypothesis

What is an experimental hypothesis?

• the hypothesis used if the null hypothesis isn’t supported by the data, suggesting there IS a change in the DV due to manipulating the IV

• Can also predict direction of change w/ a directional hypothesis

Aims and Hypothesis

What is hypothesis testing?

• Data is collected + statistical test conducted on it

• Provides evidence

• If evidence = strong enough, null hypothesis = rejected + experimental hypothesis = accepted

Aims and Hypothesis

What is the difference b/w aims and hypothesis

The aim explains WHY the researcher is intending to conduct their investigation, whereas the hypothesis communicates HOW the researcher is going to conduct their investigation

Aims and Hypothesis

What is a one-tailed/directional hypothesis and when will it be used?

A hypothesis that states the direction of a change, used when previous research suggests the results are likely to be a certain direction

Aims and Hypothesis

What is a two-tailed/non-directional hypothesis and when will it be used?

Predicts a difference but does not give a direction, used when there is little previous research/the findings were mixed/inconclusive

Aims and Hypothesis

what does operationalisation mean?

to make the variables measurable/describe how the variables will be measured

Aims and Hypothesis

When writing your own hypothesis, what needs to be included?

• clearly operationalised IV

• clearly operationalised DV

• Identification of the population to be studied

Aims and Hypothesis

Writing a null hypothesis:

+ Example

• Should state there’s NO significant relationship b/w the two variables being studied (any differences = due to chance)

• Eg: there will be no significant difference in the number of words recalled from a list of 30 words by a year 10 English language students whether the light is on or off.

Aims and Hypothesis

Writing an experimental hypothesis:

+ Example

• Predict there WILL be a difference b/w the two conditions

• Eg: Year 10 English language students will recall more words from a list of 30 words when the light is on than when the light is off