Chapter 1 - Key science skills

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

the scientific study of human mental states and behaviour

Question 2

Science

Answer 2

a field and practice that obtains knowledge and generates theories through observation and experiment

Question 3

Empirical Evidence

Answer 3

information obtained through direct and systematic observation or experimentation

Question 4

Non Science

Answer 4

ideas formed without empirical evidence or the use of scientific methods or principles

Question 5

Pseudo science

Answer 5

beliefs, theories, and practices that are mistakenly regarded as, or claim to be scientific, but are not because they do not use the methods of science

Question 6

Controlled experiment

Answer 6

a type of investigation in which the causal relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment (more specifically, the effect of the IV on the DV is tested while aiming to control all other variables)

advantages - experimenters have high level of control, can infer causal relationships

disadvantages - might not be reflective of real life, or have experimenter effects

Question 7

Theory

Answer 7

a proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions about relationships between concepts

Question 8

Model

Answer 8

a representation of a concept, process,
or behaviour, often made to simplify or make something easier to understand

Question 9

Aim

Answer 9

the purpose of the experiment
“The aim is to investigate the effect of the IV on the DV.”

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

A testable prediction about the outcome of the experiment (IPAD)

Question 11

Variable

Answer 11

a condition
or component of an experiment that can be measured or manipulated

Question 12

IV and DV

Answer 12

IV: variable that is manipulated by the researcher and is assumed to have an impact on the DV
DV: variable that is measured for changes it might experience due to IV

Question 13

scientific method

Answer 13

a procedure used to obtain knowledge that involves hypothesis formulation, testing, and retesting through processes of experimentation, observation, measurement, and recording

Question 14

correlational studies

Answer 14

a type of non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any active control or manipulation of them

advantage - no manipulation required, provides ideas for future hypotheses

disadvantage - cannot draw conclusions of cause and effect, subject to EV

Question 15

case study

Answer 15

an in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or particular phenomenon (activity, behaviour, event, or problem) that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes the complexities that would be encountered in the real world

advantage - highly detailed, rich information, provide future ideas

disadvantage- cannot be generalised, time-consuming

Question 16

Controlled variables

Question 17

field work

Answer 17

any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real- world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory

advantage - real world setting so applicable, provides rich detailed data

disadvantage - time consuming and expensive, difficult to replicate

Question 18

classification/identification

Answer 18

Classification: arrangement of phenomena, objects, or events into manageable sets

Identification: process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular sets or possibly being part of a new or unique set

advantage - common language, simplifies ideas

disadvantage - can oversimplify, labels can be inaccurate and create bias

Question 19

literature review

Answer 19

process of collating and analysing secondary data related to other people’s scientific findings and/or viewpoints in order to:
- answer a question
- or provide background information to help explain observed events
- or as preparation for an investigation to generate primary data

advantage - provides background information, understand current state of play

disadvantage - time consuming, hard if little research has been done on topic

Question 20

modelling

Answer 20

• construction and/or manipulation of either a physical model, (small/large-scale representation of object)
  or a conceptual model
• that represents a system involving concepts that help people know, understand, or simulate the system

advantage - can provide explanatory tools, simplifies ideas

disadvantage - might oversimplify

Question 21

simulation

Answer 21

a process of using a model to study the behaviour of a real or theoretical system

advantage - see micro details, provides insight

disadvantage - time-consuming and expensive, not always accurate

Question 22

process or system development

Answer 22

• the design or evaluation of an artefact, process, or system to meet a human need
• which may involve technological applications
• in addition to scientific knowledge and procedures

advantage - creates things that meet a human need

disadvantage - time consuming and expensive

Question 23

experimental group

Answer 23

the group of participants who are exposed to the IV/ experimental condition

Question 24

control group

Answer 24

the group of participants who aren’t exposed to the IV

Question 25

within subjects design

Answer 25

an experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition

advantage - less participants needed, no participant differences

disadvantage - order effects

Question 26

between subjects design

Answer 26

an experimental design in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition

advantage - less time consuming,no order effects

disadvantage - requires more participants, differences across participants across groups can affect results

Question 27

mixed design

Answer 27

An experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects designs. This allows experimenters to note differences that occur within each experimental group over time, and also compare differences across experimental groups.

advantage - compare results, use both

disadvantage - costly and time-consuming

Question 28

population

Answer 28

the group of people who are the focus of the research and from which the sample is drawn

Question 29

sample

Answer 29

a subset of the research population who participate in a study

Question 30

convenience sampling

Answer 30

any sampling technique that involves selecting readily available members of the population, rather than using a random or systematic approach

advantage - most time and cost effective

disadvantage - unrepresentative

Question 31

random sampling

Answer 31

any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected

advantage - representative

disadvantage - not representative, time consuming

Question 32

stratified sampling

Answer 32

any sampling technique that involves selecting people from the population in a way that ensures that its strata (subgroups) are proportionally represented in the sample

advantage - representative

disadvantage - time consuming and expensive

Question 33

extraneous variables

Answer 33

any variable that is not the IV but may cause an unwanted effect on the DV

Question 34

confounding variables

Answer 34

• a variable than the other IV that has an unwanted effect on the DV
• making it impossible to determine which of the variables has produced the change in the DV

Question 35

participant related variables

Answer 35

characteristics of a study’s participants that may affect the results

Question 36

order effects

Answer 36

the tendency for the order in which participants complete experimental conditions to have an effect on their behaviour

Question 37

placebo effects

Answer 37

when participants respond to an inactive substance or treatment as a result of their expectations or beliefs

Question 38

experimenter effects

Answer 38

when the expectations of the researcher affect the results of an experiment

Question 39

situational variables

Answer 39

any environmental factor that may affect the DV

Question 40

non-standardised instructions

Answer 40

when directions and procedures differ across participants or experimental conditions

Question 41

demand characteristics

Answer 41

cues in an experiment that may signal to a participant the intention of the study and influence their behaviour

Question 42

how to avoid extraneous variables (8)

Answer 42

• sample sizing and procedures
• experimental design choice
• counterbalancing
• placebo
• single-blind procedures
• double-blind procedures
• standardised conditions and procedures
• controlled variables

Question 43

E.C. beneficence

Answer 43

the commitment to:
- maximising benefits
- minimising the risks and harms
involved in taking a particular position or course of action

Question 44

E.C. integrity

Answer 44

• commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding
• honest reporting of all sources of information and results, (whether favourable or unfavourable)
• in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public knowledge + understanding

Question 46

E.C. justice

Answer 46

• moral obligation to ensure that there is fair consideration of competing claims;
• that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action;
• and that there is fair distribution and access to the benefits of an action

Question 47

E.C. non-maleficence

Answer 47

principle of avoiding causing harm

Question 48

E.C. respect

Answer 48

• the consideration of the extent to which living things have an intrinsic value and/or instrumental value;
• giving due regard to the welfare, liberty and autonomy, beliefs, perceptions, customs and cultural heritage of both the individual and the collective;
• consideration of the capacity of living things to make their own decisions;
• and when living things have diminished capacity to make their own decisions, ensuring that they are empowered where possible and protected as necessary

Question 49

E.G. confidentiality

Answer 49

privacy, protection and security of a participant’s personal information in terms of personal details and the anonymity of individual results, including the removal of identifying elements

Question 50

E.G. informed consent

Answer 50

processes that ensure participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment, including potential risks (both physical and psychological), before agreeing to participate in the study

Question 51

E.G. use of deception

Answer 51

the act of intentionally misleading participants about the true nature of a study or procedure

Question 52

E.G. debriefing

Answer 52

a procedure that ensures that, at the end of the experiment, the participant leaves understanding the experimental aim, results and conclusions

Question 53

E.G. voluntary participation

Answer 53

• a principle that ensures there is no coercion or pressure put on the participant to partake in an experiment,
• and they freely choose to be involved

Question 54

E.G. withdrawal rights

Answer 54

the right of participants to be able to discontinue their involvement in an experiment at any time during, or after the conclusion of, an experiment without penalty