1.
Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Psychology Topic 11 Research Methods
Hypotheses (p 135)
Learning objectives:
1) To learn the meaning of a null hypothesis and how to write one.
2) To learn the meaning of an alternative hypothesis and how to write different ones.
Key terminology: try to write it in your own words! Try to draw a picture or a key word/phrase to help you
remember each in the right hand column.
Task 1:
Null hypothesis
Alternative
(experimental)
hypothesis
Directional
hypothesis
Non-directional
hypothesis
Experimental
hypothesis
Task 2:
1) What is a hypothesis?
2) Write an example of a null hypothesis for the following investigations:
a) A study to see whether trained rats can run a maze faster than untracined rats.
Null hypothesis:
b) A study to look at the relationship between hours spent on social media and exercising.
Null hypothesis:
3) What is the difference between directional and non-directional hypotheses?