Guide to using the learning objectives
Learning
Objectives for Chapter Three Ð Generating and Refining Research Hypotheses
1. Define1 hypothesis.
2. List1 five strategies for
generating research ideas that involve questioning either folk wisdom or
informal observation. Rank6 the five in terms of how valuable they
would be for helping you develop a research hypothesis. Using one of those five
strategies, generate5 a research hypothesis.
3. Describe2 three
advantages of deriving research ideas from previous research.
4. Define1 double-blind
technique and explain2how replicating a study using the
double-blind technique can result in a studythat has greater validity than the
original study.
5. Explain2 how looking for moderator
variables can help reconcile studies that appear to produce conflicting
results.
6. List1 seven ways to generate
research ideas from previous research. Rank6 the ways in terms of
how useful you think they are. Use3one
of them to generate a research idea.
7. Define1null hypothesis.Explain2
why the null hypothesis cannot be proven.
8. Illustrate3 the steps
involved in converting an idea into a research hypothesis. Examine4 the role that each
of the following terms play in your illustration:
● testable
● supportable (be sure to refer to the null hypothesis)
● rationale
● relevance (be sure to refer to theory)
9. List1 10 strategies you
can use to refine a hypothesis. Rank6 them in order of
usefulness.Use3 one to refine one of your hypotheses.
10. Explain2 the advantages of basing a research idea on
theory.Generate3 a hypothesis based on dissonance theory.
11.
Define1mediating
variable. Explain2 how a hypothesis about how a mediating
variable accounts for a treatmentÕs effect can be a more interesting hypothesis
than one that merely hypothesizes that the treatment will have an effect.
12.
Define1moderating
variable. Distinguish4 moderating variable from mediating
variable. Explain2 how a hypothesis about how a variable moderates
atreatmentÕs effect can be a more interesting hypothesis than one that merely
hypothesizes that the treatment will have an effect.
13.
Define1functional
relationship. Explain2 how a hypothesis about the functional
relationship between treatment amount and treatment effect can be a more
interesting hypothesis than one that merely hypothesizes that the treatment
will have an effect.
14.
List1five
steps you can take to make testing your hypothesis more ethical. Rank6the
steps in terms of their value to you.
15.
List1one
advantage and list one disadvantage of deciding not to manipulate variables.