Investigations Flashcards
Investigation aim
The purpose of study
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement predicting the probable outcomes of an investigation.
It should contain:
The IV and DV being investigated (more on this in a minute)
A direction (such as increase, decrease, higher, lower, worse, better, etc)
A comparison of the groups being tested
Independent Variables (IV)
The variable that the research manipulates of controls
Dependant Variables (DV)
The variable that is being measured by the researcher
Operationalising
Operationalising variables refers to specifying exactly how the variables will be manipulated or measured in a particular controlled experiment
Extraneous variables
A variable other than the IV that may have an unwanted effect on the DV and results of an investigation
Controlled Variables
A variable that is held constant to ensure that the only influence on the DV is the IV. This prevents it from becoming an extraneous variable.
Confounding Variables
Unwanted variables that have affected the DV and results in an investigation, and it cannot be determined whether the IV or the confounding variable caused the change in the DV
Difference between an extraneous and confounding variable?
Extraneous variables are considered prior to a study to avoid them becoming confounding variables afterwards
Population
The whole group of people
Sample
A subset of the population, based on a specific factor and will be participating the in experiment
Random Sampling
Simple random sampling is a type of probability sampling in which the researcher randomly selects a subset of participants from a population
Stratified Sampling
Stratified sampling is a method of obtaining a representative sample from a population that researchers have divided into relatively similar subpopulations
Experimental Group
The group exposed to the IV and receives the experimental treatment
Control Group
The group that forms a baseline level to compare the experimental group with
Controlled Experiment
Controlled experiments are a type of investigation in which the causal relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment; more specifically, the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is tested while aiming to control all other variables
Within Subjects Design
A within-subjects design is an experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition
Between Subjects Design
A between-subjects design is an experimental design in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition
Mixed Design
A mixed design refers to 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
Case Study
A case study is an in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or particular phenomenon that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes the complexities that would be encountered in the real world
Identification
Identification is a process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular sets or possibly being part of a new or unique set. It is used by psychologists to then ascribe phenomena to their respective label or group
Classification
Classification is the arrangement of phenomena, objects, or events into manageable sets. It is used to create labels or groups for phenomena that may help to provide some functional or theoretical benefit
Correlational Study
A correlational study is 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
Fieldwork
Fieldwork refers to any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory. It often involves the researcher collecting data first hand, and may be conducted through a range of methods including direct qualitative and/or quantitative observations and sampling, participant observation, qualitative interviews, questionnaires, focus groups and yarning circles
Literature Review
The 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
Modelling
Modelling involves constructing and/or manipulating a physical or conceptual model of a system
Simulation
Simulation uses this model to replicate and study the behaviour of a system
Product, Process and System Development
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
Beneficence
The commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms
Integrity
The commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding, and the honest reporting of all sources of information and results, whether favourable or unfavourable
Justice
The 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
Non-maleficence
Avoid causing harm
Respect
Considering the value of living things and that their beliefs and values are treated accordingly
Informed Consent
Informed consent procedures are processes that ensure participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment, including potential risks before agreeing to participate
Confidentiality
Protection of a person’s personal information to protect identity
Deception
Deception refers to the act of intentionally misleading participants about the true nature of a study.
Deception is only permissible when participants’ knowledge of the true purpose of the experiment may affect their behaviour while participating in the study, and the subsequent validity of the experiment
Debriefing
At the end of the experiment, the participant must leave
understanding the experimental aim, results and
conclusions
Voluntary Participation
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
Withdrawal Rights
The right of participants to be able to discontinue their involvement in an experiment at any time
Primary Data
Data collected first-hand by a researcher. It may be collected through experimentation, observation, or survey
Secondary Data
Data sourced from others’ prior research, not collected directly by the current researcher. Secondary data may be obtained from processes like accessing data from publicly available databases or using data that other researchers have previously collected
Qualitative Data
Data that is expressed non-numerically; for example, a participant’s verbal description of how they are feeling
Quantitative Data
Data that is expressed numerically, such as test scores or measurements of weight.
Subjective Data
Data that is informed by personal opinion, perception, or interpretation. Often, subjective data comes from participants’ own qualitative descriptions and self-reports
Objective Data
Factual data that is observed and measured independently of personal opinion. Objective data is collected using measurement tools that ensure the same results are obtained by different researchers
Accuracy
Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity being measured
Precision
Precision refers to how closely a set of measurement values agree with each other.
Repeatability
Repeatability is the extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the same results when carried out under identical conditions within a short period of time
Reproducibility
Reproducibility is the extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the same results when repeated under different condition
Validity
Validity refers to the extent to which psychological tools and investigations truly support their findings or conclusions
Internal Validity
Internal validity is the extent to which an investigation truly measures or investigates what it claims to
External Validity
External validity is the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to similar individuals in different settings
Systematic Errors
Systematic errors are errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount
Random Error
Random errors are errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance
Placebo
An inactive substance or treatment, such as a sugar pill.
Single-Blind
A single-blind procedure is a procedure in which participants are unaware of the experimental group or condition they have been allocated to. This helps reduce participants’ expectation.
Double-Blind
A double-blind procedure is a procedure in which both participants nor the experimenter do not know which conditions or groups participants are allocated to. This helps to prevent the extraneous variables of the experimenter and participant expectations.
