The alternative hypothesis
- A hypothesis is a testable statement written as a prediction of what the researcher expects to find as a result of their experiment
- The alternative hypothesis (AH) should include the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV)
- Both IV and DV in the AH need to be operationalised - giving specifics on how each variable is to be manipulated (IV) and measured (DV), for example:
- Operationalising the IV = exposing some children to an aggressive adult model whilst other children are not exposed to an aggressive adult model
- Operationalising the DV = the number of imitative acts of aggression performed by the child
- The AH should include (very brief) details of how, for example, 'aggression' as the variable is to be manipulated and measured:
- The AH for the above study on aggression could be written as follows:
- Children who are exposed to an aggressive adult model will perform more acts of imitative aggression than children who have not been exposed to an aggressive adult model
- The AH predicts the effect of the IV on the DV i.e. it is the hypothesis of ‘difference’ (between conditions)
Exam Tip
It is important not to get confused between the alternative hypothesis and the null hypothesis. One way of remembering which is which is to remember that ‘null’ means ‘nothing’ i.e. no difference in conditions.
