R.M: Hypothesis, variables, and sampling techniques

Week One

What is the purpose of a hypothesis?

To provide a testable statement predicting the relationship between variables in a research study.

What is a directional hypothesis?

A type of hypothesis that specifies the expected direction of the relationship between variables, indicating whether one variable increases or decreases in relation to another.

What is a non-directional hypothesis?

A hypothesis that predicts a relationship between variables without specifying the direction of that relationship.

What is a correlational hypothesis?

A statement predicting the relationship and the direction of the association between two co-variables.

What is an experimental hypothesis?

A prediction that the manipulation of the independent variable (IV) will cause a measurable change in the dependent variable (DV).

What is an independent variable?

The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or changed by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

What is a dependant variable?

The variable that is measured by the researcher; it is the outcome or effect being studied.

What is a control variable?

Variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment to ensure that only the independent variable affects the results.

What is a confounding variable?

An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the independent variable (IV), making it difficult to determine whether the results were caused by the IV or the variable itself.

What is an extraneous variable?

Any variable other than the independent variable (IV) that could potentially affect the dependent variable (DV) if not controlled.

What is the difference between a confounding and extraneous variable?

Extraneous variables are potential nuisance variables that can be controlled before the study; confounding variables are specifically those that vary systematically with the IV and invalidate the results post-hoc.

Name 5 sampling techniques

-          Volunteer/self-selected

-          Random

-          Opportunity

-          Stratified

-          Systematic

What is volunteer samping?

A sampling technique where participants self-select to be part of the study, typically by responding to an advertisement.

What is random sampling?

A technique where every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected (e.g., using a random number generator).

What is opportunity sampling?

Selecting participants who are available at the time of the study and fit the criteria for the research.

What is stratified sampling?

A method where the target population is divided into subgroups (strata) and participants are selected in proportions that reflect the population's structure.

What is systemic sampling?

A method where every nth member of the target population is selected from a sampling frame, such as every 10th name on a list.