Experimental Method

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  • Experimental Method
    • Aims
      • General statements that describe the purpose of an investigation.
        • They are developed from theories.
    • Hypothesis
      • Statement that is made at the start of the study and clearly describes the relationship between variables as stated by the theory.
      • Directional hypothesis
        • Researcher makes clear the sort of difference that is anticipated between two conditions or two groups of people.
        • Used when a theory or the findings from previous research studies suggest a particular outcome.
      • Non-directional hypothesis
        • Simply states that there is a difference between conditions or groups of people but the nature of the difference is not specified.
        • Used when there is no theory or findings from previous research or findings from earlier studies are contradictory
    • Independent and dependent variables
      • The researcher changes or manipulates the independent variable (IV) and records or measures the effect of this change on the dependent variable (DV).
      • Levels of the IV
        • In order to test the effect of the IV we need different experimental conditions, the control condition and the experimental conditions.
    • Operationalisation of variables
      • Make sure variables being investigated are measurable and clear.
        • For example,

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