Question

For each of the following studies, write a null hypothesis (Ho) and an alternative hypothesis (Ha). For each part, also indicate whether you have written a one-tailed or two-tailed alternative hypothesis. a. An organizational psychologist examined whether an office redesign would change employees’ satisfaction levels. b. A forensic cognitive psychologist wondered whether repetition of false information would increase the tendency to develop false memories on average. c. A clinical psychologist studied whether structured assessments of therapy would lead to a better outcome, on average, among clients with depression. d. A developmental psychologist studied whether teaching a second language to children from birth would impact children’s ability to speak their native language.

Answer 1

Null hypothesis is the opposite statement to the expectation in a study (researcher's claim being falsified) whereas alternative hypothesis is the reseacher's claim or prediction about the conclusion of the study being conducted, i.e. it indicates the relationship between variables clearly. The null and alternative hypothesis for the statements given are as follows:

a. Null Hypothesis (Ho)- An office redesign will not be able to change employees' satisfaction level.

Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)- An office redesign will be able to change the employees' satisfaction level.

This is a two tailed hypothesis since it does not talk about the direction of results and only talks in terms of a change.

b.  Null Hypothesis (Ho)- Repetition of false information would decrease the tendency to develop false memories on average.

Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)- Repetition of false information would increase the tendency to develop false memories on average.

The given hypothesis is a one tailed test since it talks about an increase in the tendency to develop false memories, thereby giving a direction to results.

c. Null Hypothesis (Ho)- structured assessments of therapy would lead to a worse outcome, on average, among clients with depression

Alternative hypothesis (Ha)- structured assessments of therapy would lead to a better outcome, on average, among clients with depression

The given hypothesis is a one tailed hypothesis since it talks of the uni-direction of results.

d. Null Hypothesis (Ho)- teaching a second language to children from birth would not impact children’s ability to speak their native language

Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)- teaching a second language to children from birth would impact children’s ability to speak their native language

The given hypothesis is a two tailed one since it does nit claim about any one direction in its prediction/claim.