Lesson 3.1.4.1.1

3.1.4.1.1 Null and alternative hypotheses Quiz: AQA Psychology, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.1.4.1.1, Null and alternative hypotheses: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Psychology (8182), Unit 4: Research methods, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is a null hypothesis?

    • A statement predicting a difference between the variables that the researcher expects to find
    • A statement describing the aim of the study and the reason it is being carried out
    • A statement about the sample size and how many participants will be included in it
    • A statement predicting no difference or no relationship between the variables

  2. What is an alternative hypothesis?

    • A statement predicting no difference or relationship between the variables in the study
    • A statement describing how the participants were selected from the target population
    • A statement listing the ethical guidelines that the researchers will follow in the study
    • A statement predicting a difference or relationship between the variables

  3. Which statement is a directional alternative hypothesis?

    • Students who revise with flashcards will score higher on a test than students who do not
    • Revision method has an effect on test scores, so students will differ in how they score
    • Students will be asked to complete a test after a period of revision in the classroom
    • There will be no difference in test scores between the groups that revise in different ways

  4. Which statement is a non-directional alternative hypothesis?

    • There is no difference in reaction time between the two groups of people in the study
    • People who drink coffee will react faster than people who do not drink coffee at all
    • There is a difference in reaction time between people who drink coffee and people who do not
    • People who drink coffee will react slower than people who do not drink coffee at all

  5. Which statement is a null hypothesis?

    • Music helps people to learn lists of words in a quiet and calm setting
    • Participants in the music group will remember more words than the silence group
    • Caffeine improves reaction time in adults who take it before the test
    • There will be no difference in memory scores between the two groups

  6. Why do researchers state a null hypothesis when they test a claim?

    • So that the sample can be made larger before the study is carried out
    • So that participants know what result to expect from the experiment
    • So that the researcher can prove the alternative hypothesis is true
    • So that the data can be tested for a difference that may be due to chance

  7. A researcher predicts that the amount of sleep will affect exam scores. Which is the correct null hypothesis?

    • The amount of sleep will have no effect on exam scores
    • The amount of sleep will affect exam scores in some way
    • Students who sleep less will get lower exam scores
    • Students who sleep more will get higher exam scores

  8. Which feature must a testable hypothesis have?

    • It must be a statement that cannot be checked by any measurement or observation in the study
    • It must state the variables clearly so it can be measured or observed
    • It must contain a personal opinion about the topic that the researcher holds strongly
    • It must describe the researcher's career goals and what they hope to achieve from the work

  9. Which of these is an untestable statement rather than a hypothesis?

    • Background noise lowers test scores in pupils
    • Music increases the number of words recalled from a list
    • Music is more beautiful than silence
    • Caffeine increases reaction time in adults

  10. What is the main difference between directional and non-directional alternative hypotheses?

    • A directional hypothesis states which way the difference will go, a non-directional one does not
    • A directional hypothesis has no variables, a non-directional one has variables
    • A directional hypothesis predicts no difference, a non-directional one predicts a difference
    • A directional hypothesis is always longer than a non-directional one

  11. A study finds that participants in the experimental group score higher. Which hypothesis does the data support?

    • The null hypothesis, because a difference between the groups shows that there is no effect
    • Neither hypothesis, because a difference between the groups cannot be tested statistically at all
    • The null hypothesis, because the groups differ, which shows that the prediction was wrong
    • The alternative hypothesis, because the groups differ in the predicted way

  12. Which pair of statements correctly shows a null and an alternative hypothesis?

    • Null: reaction time is measured. Alternative: reaction time is recorded in each condition
    • Null: reaction time is faster. Alternative: reaction time is slower than the control group
    • Null: no difference in reaction time. Alternative: a difference in reaction time between groups
    • Null: a difference in reaction time. Alternative: no difference in reaction time between groups

  13. Which statement is the best example of a testable research aim turned into a hypothesis?

    • Silence is the best way to feel relaxed in a library when students are revising for tests
    • Revision is a useful activity for students in general and helps them prepare for their exams
    • Listening to music during revision will lead to higher recall than silence
    • Music is good for the mind and the soul and makes every activity more enjoyable overall

  14. A researcher finds that the alternative hypothesis is supported by a significant result. What does this mean for the null hypothesis?

    • The null hypothesis is replaced by a new hypothesis automatically
    • The null hypothesis is rejected
    • The null hypothesis is proven true
    • The null hypothesis is not affected by the result

  15. Which feature is shared by a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis?

    • Both must be directional statements
    • Both predict that a difference will be found
    • Both must describe the sample in detail
    • Both refer to the same variables being studied

  16. Which change would make the hypothesis 'Exercise affects mood' more testable?

    • Adding a statement about the researcher's personal opinion of exercise and how much they enjoy it
    • Making the statement longer and more academic so that it sounds more impressive to readers
    • Removing the variables so that the statement is more general and covers more situations
    • Specifying how exercise and mood will be measured and in which direction the effect is predicted

  17. A psychologist predicts that people who are given praise will complete more puzzles than people given no praise. Which type of hypothesis is this?

    • A directional alternative hypothesis
    • A research aim with no testable variables
    • A null hypothesis
    • A non-directional alternative hypothesis

  18. Why must hypotheses be stated before data are collected?

    • So that the researcher can change the variables once the data have arrived from the study
    • So that the study can be made longer by adding more questions to the test in the lab
    • So that the analysis tests a prediction rather than fitting the results after the fact
    • So that participants can read the hypothesis before the study begins and understand the aims

  19. Which statement best describes the purpose of a null hypothesis in a study?

    • It provides a starting assumption that is tested against the data
    • It describes the ethical approval given for the study by the committee
    • It lists the participants who took part in the study and their details
    • It is the statement the researcher hopes will be proven true by the data

  20. A study predicts that people who sleep for eight hours will have fewer errors than people who sleep for four hours. Which is the best null hypothesis?

    • People who sleep for four hours will make more errors than people who sleep for eight hours and are tested
    • There will be no difference in errors between people who sleep for eight hours and people who sleep for four hours
    • Sleep will be measured in hours for all participants in the study, whatever their sleep pattern is
    • People who sleep for eight hours will be more accurate than people who sleep for four hours in the test

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