Chapter 1 - Scientific Investigation Planning, Ethics and Safety

Question 1

Investigation aim

Answer 1

the purpose of a study

Question 2

Investigation question

Answer 2

the question that is to be solved by a study

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

an idea or explanation for something that
is based on known facts but has not yet
been proven

Question 4

Independent variable

Answer 4

the variable that is being manipulated
(controlled, selected or changed) by the
researcher

Question 5

Dependent variable

Answer 5

the variable that is being measured by the researcher

Question 6

Extraneous variable

Answer 6

a variable other than the independent
variable that may have an unwanted
effect on the dependent variable and results of an investigation

Question 7

Controlled variable

Answer 7

a variable that is held constant to ensure that the only influence on the dependent variable is the independent variable

Question 8

Confounding variable

Answer 8

an unwanted variable that has affected the results of an investigation

Question 9

Population

Answer 9

the wider group of people that a study is investigating

Question 10

Sample

Answer 10

the smaller group of people selected from the population who will be participants in the investigation

Question 11

Sampling technique

Answer 11

involves procedures
for selecting participants from the population

Question 12

Random sampling

Answer 12

selecting participants from the population in a way that means each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study

Question 13

Stratified sampling

Answer 13

first dividing the population into subgroups, and then randomly selecting participants from each subgroup in the proportion that they appear in the population

Question 14

Investigation methodology

Answer 14

the particular type of research study

Question 15

Allocation

Answer 15

dividing a sample into
groups in an investigation

Question 16

Random allocation

Answer 16

dividing a sample into
groups in such a way that each participant
has an equal chance of being placed into the experimental
group or the control group

Question 17

Experimental group

Answer 17

the group that is exposed to the independent variable and receives the experimental treatment

Question 18

Control group

Answer 18

the group that forms a baseline level to compare the experimental group with

Question 19

Investigation design

Answer 19

a framework that determines how participants experience the experimental and control conditions

Question 20

Between subjects design

Answer 20

an investigation design in which participants are randomly allocated to
either the control or the experimental condition

Question 21

Within subjects design

Answer 21

an investigation design in which all participants in the sample are involved
in both the experimental and control conditions

Question 22

Mixed design

Answer 22

an investigation design that combines
elements of a between subjects design and a within subjects design

Question 23

Case study

Answer 23

an investigation of a particular activity, behaviour, event or problem that contains a real or hypothetical
situation and includes real-world complexities

Question 24

Classification and identification

Answer 24

a type of investigation
that involves arranging phenomena, objects or events into manageable sets, and recognising phenomena as belonging to a particular set or part of a new or unique set

Question 25

Correlational study

Answer 25

an investigation that involves planned observation and recording of events and behaviours that have not been manipulated or controlled to understand the relationships or associations existing between variables, to identify which factors may be of greater importance, and to make predictions

Question 26

Fieldwork

Answer 26

a type of investigation that involves collecting information through observing and interacting with a selected environment

Question 27

Literature review

Answer 27

a type of investigation that involves collating and analysing secondary data findings and viewpoints

Question 28

Secondary data

Answer 28

data obtained second hand through research conducted by another person for another purpose

Question 29

Primary data

Answer 29

data collected through firsthand research for an intended purpose

Question 30

Modelling

Answer 30

a type of investigation in which a physical or conceptual model is constructed and/or manipulated to simulate a system

Question 31

Simulation

Answer 31

a type of investigation that uses a model to replicate and study the behaviour of a system

Question 32

Product, process and system development

Answer 32

a type of investigation in which a product, a process or a system is designed to meet a human need

Question 33

Ethical concept

Answer 33

general ethical considerations used to analyse the ethical and moral conduct surrounding psychological issues and psychological investigations

Question 34

Integrity

Answer 34

an ethical concept involving the commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding and the honest reporting of all sources of information and results

Question 35

Justice

Answer 35

an ethical concept involving fair consideration of competing claims, no unfair burden on a particular group, and fair access to benefits of an action

Question 36

Beneficence

Answer 36

an ethical concept involving the commitment to maximising benefits and minimising risks and harms

Question 37

Non-maleficence

Answer 37

an ethical concept involving the avoidance of causing harm

Question 38

Respect

Answer 38

an ethical concept involving the consideration of the value of living things, giving due regard, and consideration of the capacity of living things to make their own decisions

Question 39

Ethical guidelines

Answer 39

guidelines that ensure the protection and welfare of all participants in research

Question 40

Confidentiality

Answer 40

an ethical guideline that ensures participants remain anonymous, and their personal information is kept private, protected and secure throughout the study

Question 41

Voluntary participation

Answer 41

an ethical guideline ensuring that each participant freely agrees to participate in a study, with no pressure or coercion

Question 42

Informed consent procedures

Answer 42

an ethical guideline conducted before a study begins – participants agree to participate after they have received all the details of the study, including the purpose, procedures and potential risks

Question 43

Withdrawal rights

Answer 43

an ethical guideline that ensures the participants are free to discontinue their involvement in a study at any point during or after the conclusion of the study, without receiving any penalty

Question 44

Deception in research

Answer 44

an ethical guideline involving withholding the true nature of the study from participants, when their knowledge of the true purpose may affect their behaviour and subsequent validity of the investigation

Question 45

Debriefing

Answer 45

an ethical guideline involving provision of information to participants at the end of the study, including the true aims, results and conclusions, and answering any questions, clarifying misunderstandings or deception, and providing support to ensure no lasting harm

Question 46

Occupational health and safety (OHS)

Answer 46

issues of health, safety and welfare that must be protected in a workplace

Question 47

Risk assessment

Answer 47

a process involving the consideration, identification and reduction of physical and psychological risk

Question 48

Safety data sheet (SDS)

Answer 48

a document that provides all the important information about a substance, such as its ingredients, precautionary statements and first aid measures