Aims and Hypotheses Worksheet: The worksheet 3_Evaluation_of_research_methods.doc can be used as a template for students to evaluate any theory or research study in Research Methods. Image credit: Image © dragon_fang, shutterstock.com Aims and Hypotheses

You will need: A booklet 2 treasury tags A folder An assessment calendar PSYA1 past paper

Keep organised – bring a folder with your notes to every lesson Our Expectations Keep organised – bring a folder with your notes to every lesson Attend all lessons – if you miss a lesson ask your study buddy to collect the notes for you Complete all homework – consistent lack of homework results in a letter home Revise for timed tests Attend Psychology drop-in sessions on if you feel unsure or stuck on any topic

Mock Exam is w/c 26th January 2015 PSYA1 Exam is 11th May 2015 (pm) September - January Vicki Mark Mock Exam is w/c 26th January 2015 PSYA1 Exam is 11th May 2015 (pm)

This is why you need that C in GCSE Maths… Candidates should be able to: Arithmetic and numerical computation recognise and use expressions in decimal and standard form use ratios, fractions and percentages make estimates of the results of calculations (without using a calculator) Handling data use an appropriate number of significant figures find arithmetic means construct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams, bar charts and histograms have sufficient understanding of probability, e.g. to understand how genetic ratios arise understand the principles of sampling as applied to scientific data understand the importance of chance when interpreting data understand the terms mean, median and mode use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables use a simple statistical test make order of magnitude calculations Algebra understand and use the symbols: =, <, <<, >>, >, ∝, ~ substitute numerical values into algebraic equations using appropriate units for physical quantities Graphs translate information between graphical, numerical and algebraic forms plot two variables from experimental or other data

By the end of this section students will be able to: Learning objectives By the end of this section students will be able to: Describe the aim of a study Identify directional, non-directional and null hypotheses Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation Flash activity (not editable) Teacher’s notes (in Notes Page) Accompanying worksheet Web links Extension activity Sound Video

Aims and hypotheses What is the difference between the aim of a study and the experimental hypothesis? The aim of a study describes its purpose. For example, the aim of Loftus & Palmer (1974) could have been: “to investigate whether leading questions can alter people’s memory of a car crash”. The hypothesis is a testable statement about what will happen. It is more precise than the aim. The hypothesis of Loftus & Palmer (1974) could have been: “participants that hear the word ‘smashed’ will estimate that the cars were travelling faster than participants that hear ‘contacted’”. Reference: Loftus, E.F. and Palmer, J.C. (1974) Reconstruction of automobile destruction: an example of the interaction between language and memory. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 13, 585-589.

Task Complete page 7 of your booklet. You need to write 5 hypotheses using the key words given. Make sure that they are ‘operationalised’. Do you remember that word from the taster session?

Writing hypotheses There are two types of experimental hypothesis: directional and non-directional. There is also the null hypothesis. A directional hypothesis predicts the direction of any differences in the way people behave. For example, a directional hypothesis would predict that participants who eat chocolate before a test will achieve a significantly higher score than those participants who do not. Teacher’s notes: Students should have met the idea of hypotheses at KS4 in both Maths and Science, but they are unlikely to have encountered the idea of different types of hypothesis. An experimental hypothesis is one that predicts the outcome of the experiment, for example, a directional or non-directional hypothesis. A null hypothesis is an alternative type of hypothesis that is often used during significance testing to see if the results of an experiment differs enough from the null hypothesis to be evidence of an effect. Researchers normally use directional hypotheses when previous research findings suggest which direction the results will go.

Writing hypotheses A non-directional hypothesis predicts a difference in the way people behave but not which direction this will be in. For example, a non-directional hypothesis would predict there will be a significant difference in participants’ test scores depending on whether they eat chocolate before the test or not. A null hypothesis predicts that the independent variable will have no effect on the dependent variable. For example, a null hypothesis would predict that there will be no significant difference in participants test scores depending on whether they eat chocolate or not.

Identify the hypothesis Teacher’s notes: The answers to the questions are: Directional. This hypothesis is directional because it states which direction the difference will be in, that participants will recall more words before lunch. Non-directional. This hypothesis is non-directional because its predicts a difference in the amount of words recalled between the morning and afternoon but not which direction the difference will be in. Null. This is a null hypothesis because it predicts there will be no difference between the two conditions. Directional. This hypothesis is directional because it predicts the direction a difference will be in. Non-directional. This hypothesis is non-direction because it predicts a difference but not which direction it will be in. Directional. This hypothesis predicts the directions of the difference between the conditions and so is a directional hypothesis. Null. This hypothesis predicts there will be no difference between the two conditions. Non-directional. This hypothesis predicts a difference but not what the difference will be and so is a non-directional hypothesis Directional. This hypothesis is directional because it predicts how two conditions, being over 70 and being under 70, will affect the ability to learn a computer game.

Task Complete page 8 of your booklet. You need to decide whether the hypotheses are directional or non-directional. Read the box about operationalising at the bottom of the page. Extension: Fill in your key terms glossary.