Return To Hypotheses And Other Things

Question 1

Define confederate

Answer 1

An individual in a study who is not a real participant and has been instructed on how to behave by the investigator.

Question 2

Define directional hypothesis

Example?

Answer 2

States the direction of the predicted difference between two conditions / groups.

People who have more than 8 hours sleep perform worse / better in class.

Question 3

Define non-directional hypothesis

Example?

Answer 3

States that there is a difference between two conditions / groups, without stating the direction.

People who have more than 8 hours perform different in class

Question 4

When to use a directional hypothesis?

Answer 4

When past research suggests that the findings will go in a particular direction

Question 5

When to use a non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 5

When there is no past research or if past research is contradictory.

Question 6

Define pilot study

Answer 6

A small scale trial run of a study to test any aspects of the design in order to make improvements.