Aims: stating aims, the difference between aims and hypotheses.

What is an Aim?

• General statement describing purpose of investigation.
• Explains what researcher intends to study.

Example of an Aim

• “To investigate whether sleep affects memory.”.

What is a Hypothesis?

• Clear testable prediction about relationship between variables.

Example of a Hypothesis

• “Participants who sleep for 8 hours will score higher on memory test than participants who sleep for 4 hours.”.

Difference between Aims and Hypotheses

• Aims are broad statements describing purpose of study.
• Hypotheses are specific testable predictions about variables.

Why are Hypotheses Important?

• Give direction to research.
• Make studies testable.
• Help researchers identify variables.

Why should Variables in Hypotheses be Operationalised?

• Variables must be clearly measurable and testable.

Example of a Weak Hypothesis

• “Music affects performance.” because variables are vague and not measurable.

Example of a Strong Hypothesis

• “Participants listening to classical music complete puzzle in fewer minutes than participants listening to no music.” because variables are operationalised.

What is a Null Hypothesis?

• Hypothesis stating there will be no relationship, difference or effect between variables.

What Symbol represents Null Hypothesis?

• H₀.

Example of a Null Hypothesis

• “There will be no difference in memory scores between participants who drink caffeine and participants who do not.”.

What is an Alternative Hypothesis?

• Hypothesis stating there will be relationship, difference or effect between variables.

What Symbol represents Alternative Hypothesis?

• H₁.

Example of an Alternative Hypothesis

• “Participants who drink caffeine will score higher on memory test than participants who do not.”.

Difference between Null and Alternative Hypotheses

• Null hypothesis predicts no effect or difference.
• Alternative hypothesis predicts effect or difference.