Key science skills

Question 1

Model def

Answer 1

Representation of a concept, process or behaviour in order to simplify and represent

Question 2

Scientific idea

Answer 2

• aim to be objective
• utilise and produce empirical evidence
• are formed using the methods of science
• use predictions, models, and theories that are provisional and verifiable to explain reality.

Question 3

Non-scientific idea

Answer 3

*non-objective
* unempirical
* imprecise or vague
* dogmatic (not open to questioning)
* unverifiable.
Non-scientific ideas may be formed on the basis of:
* anecdote
* opinion
* intuition
considered reasoning
* hearsay

Question 4

Theories def

Answer 4

Proposition or set of principles which explain something or predicts a course of events

Question 5

Scientific method

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Types of psychological studies

Answer 6

Correlational study
Experimental studies

Question 7

Controlled experiments

Answer 7

the causal relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment;
- the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is tested while aiming to control all other variables

Question 8

case studies

Answer 8

an in-depth
investigation of an
individual, group, or
particular phenomenon
contain a real or hypothetical situation

Question 9

correlation studies

Answer 9

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

Question 10

population def

Answer 10

population= Group of people who are the focus of the study/research
>what the sample is drawn from

Question 11

sample def

Answer 11

Sample= the subset of the population who participate in the study

Question 12

sampling techniques

Answer 12

the way a sample is
selected from the
population for a study

Question 13

convenience sampling

Answer 13

Readily available members of the population
>easy
>convenient
-e.g. asking 100 people entering a sport stadium to complete a survey

Question 14

random sampling

Answer 14

Using selection procedures which ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
e.g.

Question 15

stratified sampling

Answer 15

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

Question 16

allocation

Answer 16

Process of assigning participants to experimental conditions or groups
>Random allocation= equal chance

Question 17

extraneous variables

Answer 17

something that may cause an unwanted effect on the dependant variable that is not the independent variable
> if identified at end of study becomes confounding variable

Question 18

confounding variables

Answer 18

Variables that have directly and systematically affected the dependant variable, other than IV
>Identifiable at end of study

Question 19

participant related variables

Answer 19

Difference in characteristics between participants in study that may effect the results
to control:
-Choice of experimental design
-Larger sample size

Question 20

order effects

Answer 20

The sequence/order in which participants receive the conditions may influence the DV (ie fatigue
to control:
- counter balancing
> some do A then B, others to B then A

Question 21

placebo effect

Answer 21

when participants respond to an inactive substance
or treatment as a result
of their expectations
or beliefs
to control:
> single blind= participants don’t know what if in control or experimental group

Question 22

Placebo

Answer 22

an inactive
substance or treatment

Question 23

experimenter effects

Answer 23

researchers expectations influencing DV/ effects of experiment
to control:
> Double blind= neither researcher or participant knows the experimental/control group

Question 24

situational effects

Answer 24

Factors in the environment which may affect the DV(ie, temp, lighting, weather, time)
to control:
-standardised instructions and conditions
> try to test in same environment

Question 25

non-standardised instructions/procedures

Answer 25

when directions and procedures differ across participants or experimental conditions to control:
have - standardised instructions and procedures
-Script/document therefore all receive same instructions

Question 26

demand characteristics

Answer 26

cues in an experiment that
may signal to a participant
the intention of the
study and influence their
behaviour
to control:
-single blind
-experimental realism= similar to everyday life

Question 27

counter balancing

Question 28

placebo

Question 29

single blind

Answer 29

participants don’t know what if in control or experimental group

Question 30

double blind

Question 31

categorising data

Question 32

primary data

Question 33

secondary data

Question 34

primary vs secondary data

Question 35

quantitative vs qualitative data

Question 36

objective data

Question 37

subjective data

Question 38

objective vs subjective data

Question 39

processing quantitative data

Question 40

percentages

Question 41

measures of central tendency

Question 42

outliers

Question 43

measures of variability

Question 44

presentation of data

Question 45

tables

Question 46

bar charts

Question 47

line graphs

Question 48

accuracy

Question 49

precision

Question 50

systematic errors

Question 51

random errors

Question 52

uncertainty in data

Question 53

repeatability

Question 54

reproducabiltiy

Question 55

validity

Question 56

internal validity

Question 57

external validity

Question 58

beneficence

Question 59

intergrity