1. experimental method

what is the experimental method

involves the manipulation of an IV to measure the effect on the DV

what is an aim

a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate

it is the purpose of the study

what is a hypothesis

a clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables investigated

it is stated at the outset of any study

types of hypothesis

1. directional

2. non directional

directional

• states the direction of the difference or relationship

• used when a theory or findings of previous research suggests a particular outcome

non directional

• does not state the direction of the difference or relationship

• used when there is no theory or findings of previous research, or when there is contradictory findings

what is a variable

• any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation

• generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another

what is an IV

some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher (or changes naturally) so the effect on the DV can be measured

what is the DV

the variable that is measured by the researcher - any effect on the DV should be caused by the IV

what is operationalisation

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured