Biological practical Flashcards
Outline the rational and aim of your study
The rational is 2D:4D digit ratio has been linked to the pre natal exposure to testosterone.
Our aim was to see whether there was a correlation between 2D:4D digit ratio (measured in cm) and self reported aggression levels on a scale of 1-10
Describe your sample and the sampling method you used for you study
Our sample consisted of 12 (1= male, 11= female) Caucasian participants aged 16-17 who live in Bristol and are privately educated at the same school. The sampling method was an opportunity sample as we asked the pupils in our psychology class to take part.
What was your experimental hypothesis for the study you conducted?
H1= there will be a significant relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio (measured in cm) and self reported aggression on a scaled out of ten, whereby 0= no aggression, 10= high aggression.
What was your null hypothesis for the study you conducted
HO= there will be no significant relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio (measured in cm) and self reported aggression on a scale out of 10, whereby 0= no aggression and 10= high aggression. Any relationship will be due to chance
What were your operationalised variables?
1)Self reported Levels of aggression on a scale out of 10, based on the past month, whereby 0= no aggression and 10= high aggression.
2) 2D:4D digit ration was calculated by dividing the length of the index finger on the right hand ( in cm) and the length of the ring finger of the right hand (in cm). A longer index finger will result in a ratio higher than 1 and a longer ring finger would result in a ratio less than one
Outline two methodical strengths of you experiment
1) we gained informed consent and considered ethical implications. For example, we informed all our participants of the true aim of the experiment. Therefore, we ensured all participants were aware what they were so sending to take part in, there was no deception.
We used standardised procedures to gain the 2D:4D digit ratio measurements as the participants were asked to measure the length of their index and ring finger in cm from the crease to tip, excluding fingernail. Therefore, this can be repeated and is therefore reliable.
What inferential test did you use to analyse your data
We used Spearman’s Rho because the test was of correlation and our data was ordinal level and above as we used ratios. Also, the design was repeated measures
Outline one weakness of your practical
One weakness of our practical was our method as we took measurements using a rigid 2D ruler. This could be inaccurate due to the awkward 2D ruler,and the 3D ruler. Also, participants measured their own fingers which can be subjective and it was not checked so therefore can be unreliable and invalid
How would you overcome the weakness stated above
I would have taken scanned images of the participants right hand to get a more accurate measure using both 2D forms.
