Aims and Hypotheses

What is an aim? (3)

general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, outlining the purpose of the study, based on a theory

What is a hypothesis? (3)

written after the aim, a testable statement predicting the outcome of the study, made at the start of the study

What are the two types of hypothesis?

null hypothesis, experimental hypothesis

What is a null hypothesis?

a prediction that there will be no relationship or difference

How is a null hypothesis worded?

There will be no difference in scores between participants in condition X and condition Y

How is a correlational null hypothesis worded?

There will be no correlation between co-variable 1 and co-variable 2

What is an experimental hypothesis?

a prediction of a difference or a relationship

What are the two types of experimental hypothesis?

directional, non-directional

What is a directional experimental hypothesis? (2)

written on the basis that there has already been previous research that was conclusive, indicating what the difference or relationship may be

How is a directional hypothesis worded?

Participants in condition X will score (higher/faster/greater/more) than participants in condition Y

How is a correlational directional hypothesis worded?

There will be a (positive/negative) correlation between co-variable 1 and co-variable 2

What is a non-directional experimental hypothesis?

written when either there is no previous research or when there has been a contrast between previous studies

How is a non-directional experimental hypothesis worded?

There will be a difference in scores between participants in condition X and condition Y

How is a correlational non-directional experimental hypothesis worded?

There will be a correlation between co-variable 1 and co-variable 2

What is operationalisation of variables?

clearly defining variable so that they can be measured

Give an example of an operationalised directional hypothesis looking at difference in age and memory recall (4)

Older participants, aged 60 and above, will recall fewer words from a memory test than younger participants, aged 25 and below

Give an example of an operationalised directional hypothesis looking at difference in sleep duration and reaction time (3)

Participants who slept for 8 hours or more will have faster reaction times, measured in seconds, on a cognitive task than participants who slept for 4 hours or less

Give an example of an operationalised directional hypothesis looking at difference in exercise frequency and stress levels

Participants who exercise at least 4 times a week will self-report lower stress scores than participants who exercise less than once per week

Give an example of an operationalised directional hypothesis looking at difference in screen time and academic performance (3)

Teenagers aged 14 to 16 who spend more than 6 hours per day on screens will score lower on academic performance, average GCSE scores, than those who spend less than 2 hours per day

Give an example of an operationalised directional hypothesis looking at difference in caffeine intake and alertness

participants who consume 200 mg or more of caffeine will self-report higher levels of alertness than participants who consume less than 50 mg

Give an example of an operationalised directional hypothesis looking at difference in music tempo and heart rate (6)

Participants who listened to fast-tempo music, 120 BPM or above, will have higher heart rates, measured in a heart rate monitor, than participants who listen to slow-tempo music, 60 BPM or below

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional hypothesis looking at difference in age and memory recall (4)

There will be a difference in the number of words recalled from a memory test between older participants, aged 60 and above, and younger participants, aged 25 and below

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional hypothesis looking at difference in sleep duration and reaction time (3)

There will be a difference in reaction times, in seconds, on a cognitive task between participants who slept for 8 hours or more and participants who slept for 4 hours or less

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional hypothesis looking at difference in exercise frequency and stress levels

There will be a difference in self-reported stress scores between participants who exercise at least 4 times per week and participants who exercise less than once per week

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional hypothesis looking at difference in screen time and academic performance (3)

There will be a difference in academic performance, average GCSE scores, between 14 and 16 years old who spend more than 6 hours per day on screens and those who spend less than 2 hours per day

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional hypothesis looking at difference in caffeine intake and alertness

There will be a difference in self-reported alertness levels between participants who consume 200 mg or more of caffeine and participants who consume less than 50 mg

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional hypothesis looking at difference in music tempo and heart rate (4)

There will be a difference in heart rates between participants who listen to fast-tempo music, 120 BPM or above, and participants who listen to slow-tempo music, 60 BPM or below

Give an example of an operationalised directional correlational hypothesis looking at education

There will be a positive correlation between the number of hours spent using active learning strategies per week and exam scores in undergraduate students

Give an example of an operationalised directional correlational hypothesis looking at health psychology (3)

There will be a negative correlation between daily sugar intake, grams per day, and self-reported energy levels on a standardised fatigue scale

Give an example of an operationalised directional correlational hypothesis looking at organisational behaviour (2)

There will be a positive correlation between the number of professional development courses completed in a year and job satisfaction scores, measured by questionnaire

Give an example of an operationalised directional correlational hypothesis looking at environmental psychology (3)

There will be a negative correlation between the amount of time spent in urban environments, hours per week, and scores on a nature connectedness scale

Give an example of an operationalised directional correlational hypothesis looking at sports science (3)

there will be a positive correlation between weekly strength training duration, minutes per week, and grip strength measured in kilograms

Give an example of an operationalised directional correlational hypothesis looking at consumer behaviour

There will be a positive correlation between the number of product reviews a read before purchase and satisfaction ratings given after purchase

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional correlational hypothesis looking at education

There will be a correlation between the number of hours spent using active learning strategies per week and exam scores in undergraduate students

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional correlational hypothesis looking at health psychology (3)

There will be a correlation between daily sugar intake, grams per day, and self-reported energy levels on a standardised fatigue scale

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional correlational hypothesis looking at organisational behaviour (2)

There will be a correlation between the number of professional development courses completed in a year and job satisfaction scores, measured by a validated questionnaire

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional correlational hypothesis looking at environmental psychology (3)

There will be a correlation between the amount of time spent in urban environment, hours per week, and scores on a nature connectedness scale

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional correlational hypothesis looking at sports science (3)

there will be a correlation between weekly strength training duration, minutes per week, and grip strength measured in kilograms

Give an example of an operationalised non-directional correlational hypothesis looking at consumer behaviour

There will be a correlation between the number of product reviews read before purchase and satisfaction ratings given after purchase

Give an example of a null hypothesis for difference on age and memory recall (4)

There will be no difference in the number of words recalled from a memory test between older participants, aged 60 and above, and younger participants, aged 25 and below

Give an example of a null hypothesis for correlation on education

There will be no correlation between the number of hours spent using active learning strategies per week and exam scores in undergraduate students

Explain the difference between a directional and non-directional hypothesis in an experiment looking at difference (3)

A directional hypothesis predicts a specific outcome when previous research suggests a clear result, a non-directional hypothesis only predicts a difference exists, when no previous research exists or findings are contradictory

Explain the difference between a directional and non-directional hypothesis in an experiment looking at correlation (2)

A directional hypothesis predicts a positive or negative correlation, a non-directional hypothesis states that a correlation does or does not exist but does not specify if it is positive or negative