psychology

Aim

The purpose of the study.

Hypothesis

A statement that clearly states the relationship between the variables being investigated.

Non-directional hypothesis

Predicts there will be a relationship or difference between variables, but not the direction of the relationship.

Directional hypothesis

States the direction of the relationship that will be shown between the variables.

Directional hypothesis

Used when there has already been previous research suggesting a particular outcome.

Independent Variable (IV)

The aspect of the experiment manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable measured by the researcher; any change is caused by the IV.

Operationalisation

Clearly defining variables in terms of how they are measured or specified.

Extraneous variable

Any variable other than the IV that could affect the DV.

Confounding variable

A variable that changes systematically with the IV and affects the DV.

Example of a confounding variable

Age affecting memory scores while intelligence amount is also changing.

Demand characteristics

Cues in the research situation that reveal the aim of the investigation to participants.

Demand characteristics effect

Participants act in a way they think the researcher wants, influencing the results.

Investigator effects

Any unwanted influence from the researcher's conscious or unconscious behaviour on the DV measured.

Randomisation

The use of chance to reduce the effects of bias from investigator effects.

Standardisation

Using the exact same formalised procedure and instructions for every participant in the research process.

Experimental condition

The group exposed to the Independent Variable.

Control condition

The group not exposed to the Independent Variable and used for comparison.

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