Key science skills

Question 1

Define scientific ideas and non-scientific ideas

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define empirical evidence

Answer 2

Information obtained through direct and systematic observation or experimentation

Question 3

Define theory and model

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Define operationalised variables

Answer 4

Specifying how the variable will be manipulated or measured
E.g. Stress as measured by heart rate

Question 5

Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of controlled experiments

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of case studies

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of correlational studies

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of classification and identification

Answer 8

Advantages
- Used to simplify and explain phenomena
- Is a common language to communicate scientific ideas
Disadvantages
- Can be over-simplified
- Labels can create bias

Question 9

Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of fieldwork

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of literature review

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Name 1 advantage and disadvantage of modelling

Answer 11

Advantages
- A tool for explaining phenomena
- Physically allows researchers to understand and problem solve
Disadvantages
- May over-simplify or inaccurately represent reality

Question 12

Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of simulations

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Define within subjects design (aka repeated measures design)

Answer 13

An experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition

Question 14

Define between subjects design (aka independent groups design)

Answer 14

An experimental design in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition

Question 15

Define mixed design

Answer 15

An experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects designs

Question 16

2 advantages and disadvantages of between subjects design

Answer 16

Advantages
- No order effect
- Less time consuming than within subjects design
Disadvantages
- Participant differences
- More participants needed than within subjects design

Question 17

2 advantages and disadvantages of within subjects design

Answer 17

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

Question 18

2 advantages and disadvantages of mixed design

Answer 18

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

Question 19

3 examples of fieldwork

Answer 19

• Direct observation
• Qualitative interviews
• Questionnaires
• Focus groups (discussion groups) or yarning circles when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Question 20

Define random and stratified sampling

Answer 20

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

Question 21

2 advantages and disadvantages of random sampling

Answer 21

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

Question 22

1 advantage and disadvantage of stratified sampling

Answer 22

Advantage
- Most likely to be representative of population
Disadvantage
- Time-consuming and expensive

Question 23

Define extraneous variables and confounding variables

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Percentage change formula

Answer 24

old number - new number) / old number
Then times 100

Question 25

High or low standard deviation meaning

Answer 25

High- Data is more spread out
Low- Data is more closer together

Question 26

Define accuracy and precision

Answer 26

Accuracy- how close a measurement is to the true value

Precision- how close data points are from each other

Question 27

Define systematic and random errors

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What does systematic and random errors affect?

Answer 28

Systematic affects accuracy
Random affects precision

Question 29

How to reduce random errors?

Answer 29

• Repeating measurements
• Calibrating tools
• Controlling extraneous variables
• Increase sample size

Question 30

Define repeatability and reproducibility

Answer 30

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)

Question 31

Define validity

Answer 31

The extent to which psychological tools and investigations truly support their findings or conclusions

Question 32

Define internal validity and external validity

Answer 32

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

Question 33

How to improve internal validity?

Answer 33

• Minimising extraneous variables
• Does the tools test what is desired in the experiment?
• Sample and allocation method allows for representative sample

Question 34

How to improve external validity?

Answer 34

• 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

Question 35

Name all ethical concepts

Answer 35

• Beneficence
• Integrity
• Justice
• Non-maleficence
• Respect

Question 36

Name all ethical guidelines

Answer 36

• Confidentiality
• Withdrawal rights
• Informed consent
• Deception
• Debriefing
• Voluntary participation

Question 37

Define integrity

Answer 37

Involves the honest reporting of all sources of information and results, whether favourable or unfavourable

Question 38

Define justice

Answer 38

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

Question 39

How to ensure justice is upheld?

Answer 39

• 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