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psychology 3/4 > key science skills > Flashcards

key science skills Flashcards

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1
Q

the scientific method

A

is centred around generating an informed hypothesis and then testing it to generate evidence that either supports or refutes it.

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2
Q

model

A

a representation of a concept, process, or behaviour, often made to simplify or make something easier to understand

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3
Q

theory

A

a proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions about cause and effect.

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4
Q

empirical evidence

A

information obtained through direct and systematic observation or experimentation

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5
Q

aim

A

a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation

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6
Q

hypothesis

A

a testable prediction about the outcome of the experiment.

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7
Q

independent variable

A

the variable for which quantities are manipulated by the experimenter

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8
Q

dependent variable

A

is what the researcher measures in an experiment for changes due to the effect of the IV

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9
Q

controlled variables

A

Controlled variables are variables other than the IV that a researcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation, to ensure that changes in the DV are solely due to changes in the IV.

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10
Q

controlled experiments

A

Often used because they allow a researcher to strictly manipulate variables of interest (independent variables) in a controlled environment and measure their effect on another variable (the dependent variable).

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11
Q

3 types of controlled experimental designs

A

within subjects, between and mixed

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12
Q

within subjects design

A

experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition.

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13
Q

2 advantages of a within subjects design

A

ensures that the results of the experiment are due to the manipulation of the IV rather than participant differences, less people are needed

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14
Q

2 disadvantages of a within subjects design

A

order effects, a participant withdrawing from this experiment has a greater impact on the study as the experimenter may lose 3 data points instead of one

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15
Q

between subjects design

A

individuals are divided intodifferent groups and complete only one experimental condition.

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16
Q

2 advantages of between subjects design

A

less time consuming, does not create order effects

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17
Q

2 disadvantages of a between subjects design

A

more participants are required, participant differences across groups can affect results

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18
Q

mixed design

A

Combines elements of within-subjectsand between-subjects designs.

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19
Q

2 advantages of a mixed design

A

allows experimenters to compare results across both experimental conditions, allows multiple experimental conditions to be compared to a control

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20
Q

2 disadvantages of a mixed design

A

can be more costly and time consuming, demanding for researchers

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21
Q

case study

A

A case study is an in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or particular phenomenon that contains a reFal or hypothetical situation

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22
Q

correlational studies

A

A type of non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any manipulation of them.

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23
Q

identification

A

is a process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular setsor possibly being part of a new or unique set. used by psychologists to then ascribe phenomena to a particular classification

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24
Q

classification

A

the arrangement of phenomena, objects, or events into manageable sets

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25
fieldwork
refers to any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory.
26
5 types of fieldwork
direct observation, qualitative interview, questionaires, focus groups and yarning circles
27
direct observation
A researcher watches and listens to the participants of a study, with no direct intervention and involvement, or manipulation of variables.
28
qualitative interview
Involve a researcher asking questions to gather in-depth information about a particular topic, theme, or idea. The interview may be structured, but the questions are generally open ended so that participants can provide lengthier, more detailed answers.
29
questionaires
Are a set of questions or prompts given to participants to answer digitally or with pen and paper. Questions may be open-ended or closed
30
focus groups
A qualitative research method which involves a researcher conducting a discussion with a small group of people (usually 8–12) on a specific topic. Groups are formed on the basis of some shared characteristics
31
yarning circles
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, this is a traditional approach to group discussion which involves talking, exchanging ideas, reflection and deep, considered listening without judgement. 
32
literature review
Literature review refers to the process of collating and analysing secondary data related to other people’s scientific findings and/or viewpoints, in order to answer a question or provide background information to help explain observed events, or as preparation for an investigation to generate primary data
33
modelling
Models/modelling is helpful for understanding, problem solving, or simulating various psychological phenomena and can be physical or conceptual
34
Product, process or system of development
refers broadly to the design or evaluation of an artefact, process, or system to meet a human need, which may involve technological applications, in addition to scientific knowledge and procedures.
35
simulation
Simulation refers to the process of using a model to study the behaviour of a real or theoretical system. 
36
3 advantages of controlled experiments
allow researches to infer casual relationships between and draw conclusions about specific variables, provide researches with a high level of control over conditions and variables, they are controlled so it can be repeated to check results
37
3 disadvantages of controlled experiments
since they are conducted in labs they do not reflect real life, experimenter effects, time consuming
38
2 advantages of case studies
provide highly detailed, rich information about a particular phenomenon under study, allows rare phenomena to be examined in depth
39
3 disadvantages of case studies
results cannot be generalised to a wider population as case studies often involve a small group, subject to researcher bias and errors, can be hard to find cause and effect
40
3 advantages of correlational studies
no manipulation of variables, provide ideas for future hypothesis, provides info about the association between variables
41
2 disadvantages of correlational studies
cannot draw cause and effect, extraneous variables can influence them
42
2 advantages of fieldwork
occur over a longer time period, conducted in naturalistic settings so findings are more applicable to the real world
43
2 disadvantages of fieldwork
time consuming and expensive to conduct and record data, difficult to control extraneous variables
44
2 advantages of literature review
provides background info, may uncover patterns of knowledge and gaps of knowledge
45
2 disadvantages to literature reviews
time consuming, difficult to do if little research has been done
46
2 advantages of modelling
provide explanatory tools, allows researchers to problem solve
47
1 disadvantage of modelling
they may over simplify if inaccurately represent reality
48
1 advantage to product, process or system of development
creates " " that meet a human need
49
1 disadvantage to product process or system development
expensive and time consuming
50
2 advantages to simulation
provides insight into potential circumstanecs, allows researchers to view micro phenomena in detail
51
2 disadvantages to simulation
time consuming and expensive, subject to human error
52
population
refers to the group of people who are the focus of the research and from which the sample is drawn.
53
3 sampling techniques
convenience, random, stratified
54
convenience sampling
Refers to any sampling technique that involves selecting readily available members of the population, rather than using a random or systematic approach.
55
random sampling
Refers to any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected. 
56
stratified sampling
involves selecting people from the population in a way that ensures that its strata (subgroups) are proportionally represented in the sample.
57
1 advantage of convenience sampling
time and cost effective
58
1 limitation of convenience sampling
most likely to produce an unrepresentative sample
59
2 advantages of random sampling
reduces experimenter bias when selecting participants, can be representative if the sample is large
60
2 limitations of random sampling
time consuming, may be unrepresentative if the sample is small
61
1 advantage of stratified sampling
most likely to produce a representative sample
62
1 limitation of stratified sampling
time consuming/expensive
63
allocation
refers to the process of assigning participants to experimental conditions or groups.
64
extraneous variables
is any variable that is not the IV but may cause an unwanted effect on the DV
65
confounding variables
refers to a variable that has directly and systematically affected the DV, apart from the IV
66
7 examples of confounding and extraneous variables
demand characteristics, order effects, participant related variables, placebo effect, experimenter effects, non-standardised testing procedures, situational variables.
67
participant related variables
refer to characteristics of a study’s participants that may affect the results.
68
order effects
Refers to the tendency for the order in which participants complete experimental conditions to have an effect on their behaviour. includes practice and fatigue effects
69
placebo effect
The placebo effect is a type of expectancy effect. Where a participants expectations about the treatment/ condition cause changes in their behaviour (the DV). This makes it impossible to tell if the results (DV) are because of the actual effects of the IV OR because of expectancy.
70
experimenter effects
refers to when the expectations of the researcher affect the results of an experiment.
71
situational variables
Refer to any environmental factor that may affect the dependent variable such as: temperature, lighting, weather, and time of day.
72
demand characteristics
Refer to cues in an experiment that may signal to a participant the intention of the study and influence their behaviour. 
73
objective data
factual data that is observed and measured independently of personal opinion. 
74
subjective data
data that is informed by personal opinion, perception, or interpretation. 
75
accuracy
Refers to how close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity being measured. 
76
precision
Refers to how closely a set of measurement values agree with each other but gives no indication of how close the measurements are to the true value 
77
systematic errors
Systematic errors are errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount. 
78
random error
errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance. 
79
how to reduce random errors (2)
repeating and conducting more measurements, increasing sample size
80
how to reduce systematic errors (2)
81
personal error
miscalculations or mistakes made by the experimenter
82
how to reduce personal errors (2)
ensure the method is followed correctly, using multiple researchers
83
repeatability
the extent to which the same study or measure used under the same conditions will produce the same results.
84
reproducibility
the same study or measure, used under different conditions or with different people or procedures, will produce the same results 
85
validity
 refers to the extent to which psychological tools and investigations truly support their findings or conclusions. A valid measure is one that measures what it intends to measure.
86
internal validity
Is the extent to which an investigation measures or investigates what it claims to
87
external validity
External validity is the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to similar individuals in different settings
88
justice
the moral obligation to ensure that there is fair consideration of competing claims; that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action
89
non-maleficence
the principle of avoiding harm
90
beneficence
refers to the commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms involved in taking a particular position
91
integrity
the commitment to searching for knowledge and understnad and the honest reporting of all sources of info
92
respect
the consideration of the extent to which living things have an intrinsic value and/or instrumental value;
93
confidentiality
refers to the privacy, protection and security of a participants personal info
94
informed consent procedures
are processes that ensure participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment including potential risks before agreeing to participate
95
deception
refers to the act of intentionally misleading participants about the true nature of a study or procedure
96
debriefing
is a procedure that ensures that at the end of the experiment, the participant leaves understanding the experimental aim, results and conclusions
97
voluntary participation
a principle that ensures there is no coercion or pressure put on the participant to partake in an experiment and they freely choose to be involved
98
withdrawal rights
refer to the right of participants to be able to discontinue their involvement in an experiment at any time during or after

psychology 3/4 (4 decks)

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