Key science skills Flashcards
For Psych and Chem
Define scientific ideas and non-scientific ideas
Scientific idea- Ideas that produce empirical evidence and are formed using scientific methods
Non-scientific- ideas formed without empirical evidence or the use of scientific methods or principles
Define empirical evidence
Information obtained through direct and systematic observation or experimentation
Define theory and model
Theory- set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions about relationships between concepts
Model- a representation of a concept, process, or behaviour
Define operationalised variables
Specifying how the variable will be manipulated or measured
E.g. Stress as measured by heart rate
Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of controlled experiments
Advantages
- Able to draw conclusions about specific variables
- Can be repeated to validate results
Disadvantages
- Usually done in lab so it’s not reflective of real life
- Open to researcher error or ‘experimenter effects’
- Can be time-consuming and expensive to test some variables
Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of case studies
Advantages
- Provides detailed info on a phenomenon
- Allows rare phenomena to be observed and helps future studies
Disadvantages
- Cannot be generalised
- Hard to draw conclusions on a cause-and-effect
Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of correlational studies
Advantages
- Provides info on relationships between variables
- Conducted in natural settings, applicable to real life
Disadvantages
- Can’t draw conclusions on a cause-and-effect
- Can be impacted by extraneous variables
Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of classification and identification
Advantages
- Used to simplify and explain phenomena
- Is a common language to communicate scientific ideas
Disadvantages
- Can be over-simplified
- Labels can create bias
Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of fieldwork
Advantages
- Conducted in natural settings, increased ecological validity
- Can occur over a long time. may give new information that isn’t obvious to researchers
Disadvantages
- Generally can’t form cause and effect relationships
- Hard to replicate to verify results
- Time-consuming and expensive
Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of literature review
Advantages
- Provides background info that can help inform hypothesis
- Can uncover pattens or gaps in knowledge
Disadvantages
- May be time consuming
- May be hard to do if not a lot of research has been done on the topic
Name 1 advantage and disadvantage of modelling
Advantages
- A tool for explaining phenomena
- Physically allows researchers to understand and problem solve
Disadvantages
- May over-simplify or inaccurately represent reality
Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of simulations
Advantages
- Allows researchers to see phenomena in detail
- Allows researchers to see phenomena that might be impractical or dangerous to do in reality
Disadvantages
- Time consuming and expensive
- Subject to human error, may not be an accurate reflection of reality
Define within subjects design (aka repeated measures design)
An experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition
Define between subjects design (aka independent groups design)
An experimental design in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition
Define mixed design
An experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects designs
2 advantages and disadvantages of between subjects design
Advantages
- No order effect
- Less time consuming than within subjects design
Disadvantages
- Participant differences
- More participants needed than within subjects design
2 advantages and disadvantages of within subjects design
Advantages
- Less people are needed
- Useful for real world settings
- No participant differences in data
Disadvantages
- Can produce order effects
- A participant dropping out will mean a loss of two or more data points
2 advantages and disadvantages of mixed design
Advantages
- Allows comparison between experimental and control and across participants
- Multiple experimental conditions can be compared to a baseline control group
Disadvantages
- Time-consuming to plan and collect data
- Demanding for researchers to manage multiple methods
3 examples of fieldwork
- Direct observation
- Qualitative interviews
- Questionnaires
- Focus groups (discussion groups) or yarning circles when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Define random and stratified sampling
Random- any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected
Stratified- 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
2 advantages and disadvantages of random sampling
Advantages
- Reduces experimenter bias
- Fairly representative of population
Disadvantages
- Time-consuming when it’s a large sample and ensuring that every person has an equal chance of being selected
- When sample is small, less likely to be representative of population
1 advantage and disadvantage of stratified sampling
Advantage
- Most likely to be representative of population
Disadvantage
- Time-consuming and expensive
Define extraneous variables and confounding variables
Extraneous- Any variable that isn’t the IV but has an unwanted effect on the DV
Confounding- A variable that has systematically affected the DV
Sometimes they cannot be controlled for
Percentage change formula
old number - new number) / old number
Then times 100
High or low standard deviation meaning
High- Data is more spread out
Low- Data is more closer together
Define accuracy and precision
Accuracy- how close a measurement is to the true value
Precision- how close data points are from each other
Define systematic and random errors
Systematic- errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount
Random- errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance
What does systematic and random errors affect?
Systematic affects accuracy
Random affects precision
How to reduce random errors?
- Repeating measurements
- Calibrating tools
- Controlling extraneous variables
- Increase sample size
Define repeatability and reproducibility
Repeatability- the extent to which successive measurements produce the same results when carried out under identical conditions within a short period of time (e.g. same procedure, observer, instrument, instructions, and setting)
Reproducibility- the extent to which successive measurements produce the same results when repeated under different conditions (e.g. different participants)
Define validity
The extent to which psychological tools and investigations truly support their findings or conclusions
Define internal validity and external validity
Internal- the extent to which an investigation truly measures or investigates what it claims to
External- the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to similar individuals in different settings
How to improve internal validity?
- Minimising extraneous variables
- Does the tools test what is desired in the experiment?
- Sample and allocation method allows for representative sample
How to improve external validity?
- Using sampling technique that’s more representative of population
- Having a diverse range of people
- Larger sample size, more likely to be representative of population
Name all ethical concepts
- Beneficence
- Integrity
- Justice
- Non-maleficence
- Respect
Name all ethical guidelines
- Confidentiality
- Withdrawal rights
- Informed consent
- Deception
- Debriefing
- Voluntary participation
Define integrity
Involves the honest reporting of all sources of information and results, whether favourable or unfavourable
Define justice
The moral obligation to ensure that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action; and that there is access to the benefits of an action
How to ensure justice is upheld?
- ensuring the research design
and suggestions on the basis of
conclusions are not discriminatory
against certain groups - equity in access to psychological
services and findings
