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Psychology > Key Science Skills > Flashcards

Key Science Skills Flashcards

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1
Q

Psychology

A

The study of thoughts, feelings and behaviours

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2
Q

Mental Processes

A

The internal processes that occur within the brain, which influence behaviour.

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3
Q

Behaviour

A

Observed actions of a person/animal

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4
Q

Pseudoscience

A

A collection of statements, beliefs, and practices, that are not based on scientific method.

E.g. acupuncture, astrology, homeopathy

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5
Q

The Scientific Method

A

An empirical method for acquiring knowledge that has characterised the development of science.

Observe, question, (research), hypothesise, experiment, test, draw conclusions, report findings.

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6
Q

an Aim

A

Purpose of a scientific investigation/experiment.

To test the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable

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7
Q

a Theory

A

A general abstraction or principle based on a legitimate claim.

Often comes with explicitly stated assumptions

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8
Q

a Model

A

An application of a principle, often into a visualisation

Often more specific/has a smaller scope

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9
Q

Research Hypothesis

A

A testable prediction

IV, DV, direction, population.

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10
Q

Steps of Psychological Research

A
  1. Curiosity/observation
  2. Investigation question
  3. Investigation design
  4. Data generation and collection
  5. Data analysis/interpretation and evaluation
  6. Communication of findings

Exploration, planning, investigation, processing, reporting, and further investigation.

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11
Q

Independent Variable

A

A variable which is manipulated by the experimenter

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12
Q

Dependent Variable

A

A variable which is measured to test the effect of the independent variable

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13
Q

Experimental group

A

The group which the independent variable is conducted upon.

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14
Q

Control Group

A

The group that do not recieve the independent variable. Used as a basis of comparison.

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15
Q

Controlled Variable

A

An experimental element which is held constant throughout the experiment.

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16
Q

Investigation Methodology

A

The procedure used by researchers.

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17
Q

Controlled Experiment

A

The measurement of a cause effect relationship between two variables, under a controlled environment.

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18
Q

Case study

A

An in-depth study on a certain event, behaviour, activity or problem.

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19
Q

Correlational study

A

The investigation of the extent to which two (or more) naturally occuring variables co-vary

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20
Q

Identification and classification

A

Organising things by constructing sets and putting them into sets.

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21
Q

Fieldwork/observational study

A

Investigation through observing and interacting with an environment in a naturalist setting.

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22
Q

Modelling/simulation

A

A small or large scale representation of something (e.g. an object) to enable replication, explanation, or investigation.

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23
Q

Product, process, or system development

A

The design and development of something to meet a human need.

Often involving technological application.

E.g. using neurons to power artificial limbs

24
Q

Literature review

A

Collation and analysis of secondary data

25
Q

Between subjects design

A

Each group only completes one experimental condition.

Independent-groups design: Random
Matched-participants design: Pairing participants, where one member of the pair is allocated each group.

26
Q

Within-subjects design

A

Participants complete all experimental conditions

Counterbalancing the order effect: dividing into groups that do complete the conditions in different orders.

27
Q

Mixed method design

A

Collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative research in one study.

28
Q

Population

A

The group of people who are the primary focus of a study, from which the sample is drawn.

29
Q

Sample

A

A subset of the research population, who participate in a study.

30
Q

Random Allocation

A

When every member of the sample has an equal chance of being placed into the control or experimental group.

31
Q

Random Sampling

A

When every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.

Best in large samples

32
Q

Stratified Sampling

A

When the population is divided into subgroups (strata) and is selected in the same proportion they appear in the population.

For important research where characteristics may skew data

33
Q

Convenience Sampling

A

A sample is selected in the quickest and easiest way possible.

Purely for interest-based studies - not publishable.

34
Q

Primary Data

A

That which is sourced firsthand for the purpose of addressing the research question

E.g. experiments, observational study, or self report

35
Q

Secondary data

A

That which is sourced through someone elses research.

E.g. literature review, or data modelling

36
Q

Quantitative data

A

Numerical and categorical data.

Quantitative data is finite.

37
Q

Qualitative data

A

Descriptions, opinions, and arguments. Descriptive data.

Qualitative data is infinite

38
Q

Objective data

A

Data that can be directly observed and measured.

39
Q

Subjective Data

A

Data that relies on personal experience or assumptions.

40
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

Mathematical calculations that describe, organise, and summarise data through measures of central tendency, variability, and percentages/representations of data.

Graphs are either discrete or continuous

Statistics cannot be used to draw conclusions, and the context of the control and collection must be considered for authentic data collection.

41
Q

Accuracy

A

How close the results are to the true value.

42
Q

True value

A

Measurements recorded perfectly, that are error free.

43
Q

Precision

A

How close the results are to one another.

44
Q

Systematic errors

A

Errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount.

Affects accuracy. Predictable.

Fix by shifting data to the true value.

45
Q

Random Errors

A

Errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance.

Affects precision. Unpredictable.

Fixed by repeating measurements.

46
Q

Personal errors

A

Errors that occur in data due to miscalculations, experimentor bias, and mistakes.

Method of fixing is dependent on the error.

47
Q

Uncertainty

A

The lack of exact knowledge relating to something measured due to potenial sources of variation in knowledge.

E.g. missing or incomplete data, bias, or extraneous variables.

48
Q

Reliability

A

The extent to which a tool measures something consistently each time it is applied.

49
Q

Reliability

Repeatability

A

The extent to which results remain the same when research is repeated under the same conditions.

(Same sample etc.)

50
Q

Reliability

Reproducibility

A

The extent to which results remain the same when the conditions of the experiment are different.

E.g. different cultures.

51
Q

Validity

A

The extent to which a tool effectively measures what it is used to measure.

52
Q

Internal Validity

A

The extent to which the instruments or research tools effectively assess the content/theory they are used to assess.

53
Q

External Validity

A

The extent to which a study is conducted and reported in such a way that findings can be applied to a population.

54
Q

Conclusion

A

A statement that addresses the research question in the context of the research findings, including whether the hypothesis was supported or rejected.

Ask:
- what is the sample type and size
- representativeness
- experimental design
- single or double blind procedures
- potential EVs and CVs
- how are statistics analysed and interpreted?
-has data been compared and replicated for validity and reliability.\?

55
Q

Generalisation

A

A statement that relates the findings of an investigation to a broader population.

56
Q

Inferential Statistics

A

Mathematical statistics used to make inferences, judgements, and conclusions from the data.

E.g. T-tests, Chi-squared tests, P values.

Psychology (4 decks)

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