Key science skills Flashcards
Define case study
Case study : 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. An advantage being that they can incorporate other scientific methodologies to gain data. A limitation being that Case studies can be time-consuming.
Correlational study
Correlational study : 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. An advantage being that. There is no manipulation of variables required. A limitation is that their results cannot draw conclusions about cause and effect.
Model and theory
Model : the construction and/or manipulation of either a physical model, such as a small- or large-scale representation of an object, or a conceptual model that represents a system involving concepts that help people know, understand, or simulate the system. An advantage being that It can provide explanatory tools. A limitation is that As models are often used to simplify and communicate ideas, they may over-simplify or inaccurately represent reality.
Controlled experiment
Controlled experiment : 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. An advantage being that they can allow researchers to test hypotheses more quickly than in real-world settings. A limitation is that Confounding or extraneous variables can still occur.
What is in a hypothesis. Give an example.
Identify, research and construct aims and questions for investigation, formulate hypotheses to focus investigations, predict possible outcomes of investigations. For example, It was hypothesised that high school students who had high quality sleep would perform better on tests of concentration than those who did not have high quality sleep.
Define random allocation and give an example of when it is used.
Any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected and then the process of assigning participants to experimental conditions or groups. For example, in a study testing the effect of a new drug, there may be a control group (receives no active treatment) and an experimental group (receives the trial drug). Here, allocation would involve assigning half the participants to each group.
Outline the three kinds of sampling techniques including their advantages and limitations
Convenience sampling refers to any sampling technique that involves selecting readily available members of the population, rather than using a random or systematic approach
Random sampling refers to any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected
Stratified sampling refers to 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.
Define IV and DV and give an example of each.
Independent variable (IV) - the variable for which quantities are manipulated (controlled, selected, or changed) by the researcher, and the variable that is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable. partial sleep deprivation or no partial sleep deprivation. This is because it is something that is manipulated by a researcher (e.g. total hours of sleep deprivation) to see its effect.
Dependent variable (DV) - the variable the researcher measures in an experiment for changes it may experience due to the effect of the independent variable. mood levels. This is because it is what is being impacted by the IV (sleep deprivation) and is measured (e.g. through scores on a self-rated mood scale.
Define control and experimental group Including the purpose of both.
Control group - the group of participants in an experiment who receive no experimental treatment or intervention in order to serve as a baseline for comparison.
Experimental group - the group of participants in an experiment who are exposed to a manipulated independent variable (i.e. a specific intervention or treatment)
Outline the three types of experimental designs including their advantages and limitations (within subjects, between subjects and mixed).
A within-subjects design is an experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition. An advantage of this design is that fewer people are needed because each participant completes each experimental condition. A limitation being a participant dropping out of a within subjects experiment has a greater impact on the study as the experimenter loses two data points instead of one.
A between-subjects design is an experimental design in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition. An advantage is that it does not does not create order effects. A limitation is that it may require more participants than a within-subjects design
A mixed design refers to an experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects designs. An advantage is that Allows multiple experimental conditions to be compared to a baseline control group. A limitation is that it can be more costly and time consuming to plan, conduct, and then analyse results.
Define order effects and explain the process to eliminate it.
The tendency for the order in which participants complete experimental conditions to have an effect on their behaviour. Counterbalancing is a method to reduce order effects that involves ordering experimental conditions in a certain way.
Outline 3 confounding variables (not order effects) and explain how to prevent them from impacting an experiment.
Experimenter effect (also known as experimenter bias) when the expectations of the researcher affect the results of an experiment. Having multiple experimenters with different views. Counterbalancing a method to reduce order effects that involves ordering experimental conditions in a certain way.
Participant-related variables, also known as individual participant differences or subject variables, refer to characteristics of a study’s participants that may affect the results.Single-blind procedure a procedure in which participants are unaware of the experimental group or condition they have been allocated to
Situational variables any environmental factor that may affect the dependent variable.Standardised instructions and procedures. Ensuring that each participant in an experiment receives the exact same instructions and follows the same procedures in each condition allows researchers to more conclusively infer that results are due to the independent variable.
