NROB60H3 Chapter : Research Method
15 Feb 2012
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Document Summary
A hypothesis (hypotheses is the plural) is a testable statement. A prediction about what the researcher will find out e. g. 8 year olds will remember more than 5 year olds. The hypothesis that predicts that the researcher will find something is called the alternative hypothesis (or experimental hypothesis if the study is an experiment). The alternative hypothesis can be directional - only one outcome is possible or it can be non directional - the prediction allows for one of two possible outcomes. This hypothesis is the opposite of the alternative as it predicts that the results will not show anything of any worth e. g. there is no difference in the memory of 8 and 5 year olds. It is not normally possible to study everyone in a population so a smaller number is chosen (a sample). There are a number of different ways of sampling participants.
