aims and hypothesis

what is the aim of an experiment?

the direct purpose of the investigation, or what the researcher is trying to find out

what is the difference between the aim and hypothesis in an experiment?

an aim is a statement which explains what the experiment is attempting to achieve.

a hypothesis is a prediction the scientist who is undertaking the experiment makes before starting of what they think will happen.

what is a directional hypothesis?

states that the independent variable will have an effect on the dependent variable and what that effect will be (the direction of results).

what is a non-directional hypothesis?

states that the independent variable will have an effect on the dependent variable but does not predict how it will affect the results.

how do you know whether to use a directional or non-directional hypothesis?

if there is previous research which suggests the direction then it directional if there is no previous research to tell you what the effect will be then it is non directional