Key Science Skills Flashcards
Psychology
The study of thoughts, feelings and behaviours
Mental Processes
The internal processes that occur within the brain, which influence behaviour.
Behaviour
Observed actions of a person/animal
Pseudoscience
A collection of statements, beliefs, and practices, that are not based on scientific method.
E.g. acupuncture, astrology, homeopathy
The Scientific Method
An empirical method for acquiring knowledge that has characterised the development of science.
Observe, question, (research), hypothesise, experiment, test, draw conclusions, report findings.
an Aim
Purpose of a scientific investigation/experiment.
To test the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable
a Theory
A general abstraction or principle based on a legitimate claim.
Often comes with explicitly stated assumptions
a Model
An application of a principle, often into a visualisation
Often more specific/has a smaller scope
Research Hypothesis
A testable prediction
IV, DV, direction, population.
Steps of Psychological Research
- Curiosity/observation
- Investigation question
- Investigation design
- Data generation and collection
- Data analysis/interpretation and evaluation
- Communication of findings
Exploration, planning, investigation, processing, reporting, and further investigation.
Independent Variable
A variable which is manipulated by the experimenter
Dependent Variable
A variable which is measured to test the effect of the independent variable
Experimental group
The group which the independent variable is conducted upon.
Control Group
The group that do not recieve the independent variable. Used as a basis of comparison.
Controlled Variable
An experimental element which is held constant throughout the experiment.
Investigation Methodology
The procedure used by researchers.
Controlled Experiment
The measurement of a cause effect relationship between two variables, under a controlled environment.
Case study
An in-depth study on a certain event, behaviour, activity or problem.
Correlational study
The investigation of the extent to which two (or more) naturally occuring variables co-vary
Identification and classification
Organising things by constructing sets and putting them into sets.
Fieldwork/observational study
Investigation through observing and interacting with an environment in a naturalist setting.
Modelling/simulation
A small or large scale representation of something (e.g. an object) to enable replication, explanation, or investigation.
Product, process, or system development
The design and development of something to meet a human need.
Often involving technological application.
E.g. using neurons to power artificial limbs
Literature review
Collation and analysis of secondary data
Between subjects design
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.
Within-subjects design
Participants complete all experimental conditions
Counterbalancing the order effect: dividing into groups that do complete the conditions in different orders.
Mixed method design
Collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative research in one study.
Population
The group of people who are the primary focus of a study, from which the sample is drawn.
Sample
A subset of the research population, who participate in a study.
Random Allocation
When every member of the sample has an equal chance of being placed into the control or experimental group.
Random Sampling
When every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.
Best in large samples
Stratified Sampling
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
Convenience Sampling
A sample is selected in the quickest and easiest way possible.
Purely for interest-based studies - not publishable.
Primary Data
That which is sourced firsthand for the purpose of addressing the research question
E.g. experiments, observational study, or self report
Secondary data
That which is sourced through someone elses research.
E.g. literature review, or data modelling
Quantitative data
Numerical and categorical data.
Quantitative data is finite.
Qualitative data
Descriptions, opinions, and arguments. Descriptive data.
Qualitative data is infinite
Objective data
Data that can be directly observed and measured.
Subjective Data
Data that relies on personal experience or assumptions.
Descriptive statistics
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.
Accuracy
How close the results are to the true value.
True value
Measurements recorded perfectly, that are error free.
Precision
How close the results are to one another.
Systematic errors
Errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount.
Affects accuracy. Predictable.
Fix by shifting data to the true value.
Random Errors
Errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance.
Affects precision. Unpredictable.
Fixed by repeating measurements.
Personal errors
Errors that occur in data due to miscalculations, experimentor bias, and mistakes.
Method of fixing is dependent on the error.
Uncertainty
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.
Reliability
The extent to which a tool measures something consistently each time it is applied.
Reliability
Repeatability
The extent to which results remain the same when research is repeated under the same conditions.
(Same sample etc.)
Reliability
Reproducibility
The extent to which results remain the same when the conditions of the experiment are different.
E.g. different cultures.
Validity
The extent to which a tool effectively measures what it is used to measure.
Internal Validity
The extent to which the instruments or research tools effectively assess the content/theory they are used to assess.
External Validity
The extent to which a study is conducted and reported in such a way that findings can be applied to a population.
Conclusion
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.\?
Generalisation
A statement that relates the findings of an investigation to a broader population.
Inferential Statistics
Mathematical statistics used to make inferences, judgements, and conclusions from the data.
E.g. T-tests, Chi-squared tests, P values.
