Key Science Skills Flashcards
what is psychology?
the scientific study of human mental states and behaviour
what is the scientific method?
a procedure used to obtain knowledge
what is a model?
a representation of a concept, process or behaviour often made to simplify and represent
what is a theory?
proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictionsw
what is an aim?
a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation
what is a hypothesis?
a testable prediction about the outcome of an investigation
what does operationalising variables refer to?
specifying exactly how the variables will be measured and manipulated in a controlled experiment
what are controlled variables?
things that can affect the dependent variable in an experiment besides the independent variable
what are the key points of a controlled experiment?
allow a researcher to strictly manipulate variables of interest, in a controlled environment
* Researchers can infer a causal relationship
* There are controlled and experimental groups
what is a control group
group of participants who receive no experimental treatment or intervention in order to serve as a comparative baseline
what is an experimental group?
the group of participants who are exposed to a manipulated independent variable
what is a within subjects design?
an experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition
what are some pros and cons of a within subjects design?
Pros- eliminate participant differences, cost effective, time effective
Cons- produce order effects, participants dropping out significantly impacts the study (loose 2 points of data)
what is a between subjects design?
an experimental in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition
what are some pros and cons of a between subjects design?
Pros- less time consuming, eliminates the possibility of order effects
Cons- participant related differences, more participants required, experimenter effect may occur
what is a mixed design?
an experimental which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects design
what are some pros and cons of a mixed design?
Pros- allows experimenters to compare results, creates a baseline/ control group
Cons- demanding for researchers and assistants, costly, time consuming
what is a case study?
is an in-depth investigation of a individual group or particular phenomenon that contains a real or hypothetical situation
what is a correlational study?
a non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any manipulation of them
what is a positive correlation?
variables change together in the same way
what is a negative correlation?
variables change in opposite directions
what is zero correlation?
no relationship between variables (no noticeable correlation)
what is classification?
the arrangement of phenomena, objects or events into manageable sets based on common features and characteristics
- Used to create labels
what is identification and what is it used for?
a process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to a particular set or possibly being part of a new or unique set
-Assign certain things to their respective groups
what is fieldwork?
refers to any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory
what is direct observation?
a researcher watches and listens to the participants of the study with no direct intervention (it may use deception)
what is a qualitative interview?
researcher asking questions to gather in-depth information about a particular topic, theme or idea, asking open-ended questions
what is a questionnaire?
a set of questions or prompts given to participants to answer digitally or with pen and paper
what is a focus group?
a researcher conducting a discussion with a small group of people on a specific topic, it may induce conformity and therefore group shift and group think
what is a yarning circle?
traditional approach to group discussion which involves talking, exchanging ideas, reflection and deep considered listening without judgement, it is highly accepting and the researcher is involved
what is literature review?
refers to the process of collating and analysing secondary data related to other people’s scientific findings and/or viewpoints
what is primary data?
data collected first hand by a researcher
what is secondary data?
data collected by others (literature reviews are always secondary)
what is modelling?
assists in understanding, problem solving, or simulating various psychological phenomenon, used to simplify and represent.