F ORMULATING THE H YPOTHESIS

C HAPTER O BJECTIVES : 1. Learn the difference between nonexperimental and experimental hypotheses 2. Understand the components of a good experiment hypothesis 3. Explore where hypotheses come from, 4. Learn how to conduct a literature search

H YPOTHESIS The thesis, the main idea, of an experiment A predictive relationship between at least two variables. Different research designs have different hypothesis statements

N ONEXPERIMENTAL VS. E XPERIMENTAL H YPOTHESIS Some nonexperimental designs do not typically include a hypothesis (i.e.: phenomenology, case study) Nonexperimental hypothesiss predicts how events, traits, or behaviors might be related, but not about cause effect. Experimental hypothesis predicts cause and effect relationship

E XAMPLES OF N ONEXPERIMENTAL H YPOTHYSES Type of DesignHypothesis Correlational Ex post facto Pretest/posttest The amount of TV viewing is positively related to vocabulary size. Repressors will report fewer treatment-related side effects than will nonrepressors Self-esteem will be greater after exposure to a subliminal self help tape than it was before the tape

C HARACTERISTICS OF AN E XPERIMENTAL H YPOTHESIS Every experiment has at least one hypothesis A tentative explanation of an event or behavior; one that seems plausible Out of a number of possible causes, the list must be narrowed down Hypothesis must be synthetic, testable, falsifiable, parsimonious, and fruitful

S YNTHETIC S TATEMENTS Can either be true or false Avoid Analytic statements – always true Contradicting statements – always false Can be stated in “If…then” form Expresses potential relationship

T ESTABLE S TATEMENTS The means for manipulating antecedent conditions and measuring the resulting behavior must exist

F ALSIFIABLE S TATEMENTS Research hypothesis must be disaprovable by the research finding. Worded in a way that failure to find the predicted effects must be considered evidence that the hypothesis is indeed false. “If you read this book carefully enough, then you will be able to design a good experiment.”

P ARSIMONIOUS S TATEMENTS A simple hypothesis is preferred over one that requires many supporting assumptions.

F RUITFUL S TATEMENTS It leads to new studies

H OW ARE H YPOTHESES F ORMED ?

T HE I NDUCTIVE M ODEL Reasoning from specific cases to more general principles Examining individual instances, and constructing an overall explanatory scheme i.e.: Operant conditioning

T HE D EDUCTIVE M ODEL Reasoning from general principles to make predictions about specific instances Provides a test of the value of a theory i.e.: Equity theory

C OMBINING I NDUCTION AND D EDUCTION In practice, both approaches are not so neatly separated

B UILDING ON P RIOR R ESEARCH The most useful way of finding hypotheses is by working from research that has already been done. Nonexperimental designs may suggest cause and effect explanations Prior research is useful in focusing your thinking on important issues; what researches might have missed, or possible new applications

S ERENDIPITY AND THE W INDFALL E XPERIMENT A discovery may be made where none was intended – serendipity One must be open to possibilities Not just a matter of luck; it is also a matter of knowing enough to use an oppurtunity.

I NTUITION Knowing without reasoning The more we know about a topic, the better out intuitive hypotheses are likely to be.

W HEN ALL ELSE F AILS Pick a psychology journal and read, something might interest you Check out nonexperimental studies Observe in a public place Turn your attention to a real-world problem

S EARCHING THE R ESEARCH L ITERATURE Important part of conducting research Work done to test your hypothesis or one that is closely related. Can help to develop procedures Tips for measuring your observations A journal article on your topic can provide other resources in the reference section Books Overview of a topic area Metaanalysis Skip popular books and other source from pop media

W RITING THE R EPORT The Introduction consists of a selective review of relevant, recent research. Should provide empirical background ; and guide the readers toward your research hypothesis In the Discussion, refer back to the gather literature. How does your research … advance knowledge increase generability of known effects contradict past findings – contrast your study with theirs