Introduction & Definitions

Aim: the purpose of the study

Hypothesis: a statement of what you believe will happen

• Directional: a prediction that there will be a difference & states the direction

• Non Directional: only states that there will be a difference

• Null: states that there will be no difference

Independent: the variable which is manipulated

Dependent: the variable which is being measured

Confounding: variables which aren't controlled but may affect the DV

Extraneous: variables which may affect the DV but can't be controlled

Participant: individual characteristics/traits that may affect results

Quantitative: numerical data

Qualitative: non-numerical data (descriptive)

Operationalise: to change the format of a variable in order to make it measurable

Mundane Realism: how accurately an experiment resembles a real life situation

Generalisability: the extent to which results can be applied to other settings

Validity: the extent to which results back up a statement/hypothesis

Reliability: the extent to which an experiment produces the same results when repeated

Did the IV cause an effect on the DV?

Were there confounding/extraneous variables which may have affected the results?

Did the research accurately represent real life or did it lack mundane realism?

Can the results be applied to real life situations?

Ecological Validity: would the behaviours recorded in an artifical environment be the same in a natural setting?

Population Validity: do the results apply to everyone? A wide variety of participants ensure high validity.

Historical Validity: are the results outdated? Do they still apply in the modern day?