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Scientific Processes

Aims and hypotheses

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  • Paper 2

Overview

What an aim states, how a hypothesis differs from it, and the forms a hypothesis takes.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How does an aim differ from a hypothesis?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is an aim in psychological research?

    Model answer

    A general statement of what a researcher intends to investigate or discover in a study.

  2. 2

    Define the term 'hypothesis' in the context of research.

    Model answer

    A precise, testable prediction about the expected outcome of a study.

  3. 3

    Why must a hypothesis be testable?

    Model answer

    So that the prediction about the relationship between variables can be empirically investigated and either supported or refuted by data.

  4. 4

    How does an aim differ from a hypothesis?

    Model answer

    An aim describes the purpose or goal of research in broad terms, whereas a hypothesis makes a specific prediction about the relationship between variables that can be tested.

  5. 5

    A researcher states: 'This study will explore whether sleep affects memory.' Is this an aim or a hypothesis? Explain why.

    Model answer

    This is an aim because it is a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, not a specific testable prediction.

  6. 6

    What is a directional hypothesis?

    Model answer

    A hypothesis that predicts the direction of the difference or relationship between variables.

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