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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Psychology => Topic started by: d0minicz on January 19, 2009, 10:48:30 pm

Title: Operational Hypothesis
Post by: d0minicz on January 19, 2009, 10:48:30 pm
How important are these to know for Pysch, both unit 3 and 4?
And can anyone write an operational hypothesis for each of these research questions, thanks :)

1. Does the offer of an incentive result in greater motivation to succeed?
2. Is driving ability affected by the amount of sleep deprivaion an induvidual has?
3. What is the effect of rote learning information on a person's ability to recall that information when there is a need to do so?
4. Is our ability to play well in a sports match impaired if we are too nervous?
5. Does being permitted to eat and drink during an exam improve performance on that exam?

Sorry for the long list of questions, but I really need to get an idea of how to write one of these,  ::)
Title: Re: Operational Hypothesis
Post by: cns1511 on January 19, 2009, 11:07:48 pm
Operational hypothesis' are VERY important. They come up on both exams and are surprisingly easy once you know what needs to go in them.

As long as you include the population, sampling method, IV, and DV as well as what you believe will happen and the relationship between IV and DV, you can't really go wrong.

Eg. Adults, when presented with 15 words spoken out loud in 2 second intervals will be more likely to recall words at the beginning and end of the list, than words in the middle.

The population (adults) with the conditions/IV (position of words on the list) will have the effect/DV (recalled or not).

It's difficult to write a good operational hypothesis for the ones you asked as they only show the IV and Dv which only allow for a general hypothesis.

Hope that helped..
Title: Re: Operational Hypothesis
Post by: Glockmeister on January 19, 2009, 11:08:10 pm
Not so important in Unit 3, but you will be guaranteed a question on this in Unit 4

I'm pretty tired now, so if no one has contributed by tomorrow, I might have a look (it has been awhile since I've written one of these.
Title: Re: Operational Hypothesis
Post by: Eriny on January 20, 2009, 12:20:25 am
An operational hypothesis is just like a regular hypothesis in that it is a prediction. The only difference is that in an operational hypothesis, you need to tell the reader how you are going to measure whether or not the hypothesis is supported or rejected.

So, Does being permitted to eat and drink during an exam improve performance on that exam
Operationalised: 20 VCE Psychology students who drink 200mls of water and eat an apple during their Psychology exam will get a higher percentage of correct answers on their exam than 20 VCE Psychology students who are not to take any food or water.

In short, it's just a specific version of a regular hypothesis.
Title: Re: Operational Hypothesis
Post by: d0minicz on January 20, 2009, 11:37:25 am
Oh ok I get it thanks all