Key Science Skills

Question 1

recall the four main characteristics of scientific ideas

Answer 1

1. Relies on and produces empirical evidence (information obtained through direct and systematic observation and experimentation).
2. Aims to be objective, self-correcting field that produces explanatory claims that are provisional (updatable at a later time), testable, and reliable.
3. Uses systematic methodologies, such as experimentation, observation and hypothesis testing.
4. Findings contribute to ‘public knowledge’ and are often open to processes of ‘peer review’ (in which claims are reviewed by other individuals in the scientific field, such as researchers).

Question 2

recall the seven main characteristics of non-scientific ideas

Answer 2

1. Ideas formed without empirical evidence or use scientific methods or the use of scientific methods or principles.
2. Includes pseudoscience (beliefs, theories, and practices that are mistakenly regarded as, or claim to be scientific).
3. Unverifiable: Makes claims that cannot be verified through observation or evidence - cannot be proven wrong.
4. Commits logical fallacies (‘wrong’ or invalid steps of reasoning) such as asserting conclusions with weak or false premises.
5. Non-objective.
6. Dogmatic (not open to questioning).
7. imprecise or vague.

Question 3

recall the four concepts non-scientific evidence may be formed on the basis of

Answer 3

1. Anecdote (stories based on personal experience)
2. Opinion (the view or perspective of someone not necessarily based on evidence)
3. Intuition (something that one feels instinctively as opposed to arrives through considered reasoning)
4. Hearsay (rumour or information from others which cannot be supported with evidence)

Question 4

define the scientific method

Answer 4

a procedure used to obtain knowledge that involves hypothesis formulation, testing, and re-testing through processes of experimentation, observation, measurement, and recording.
- Centered around generating an informed hypothesis and then testing it to generate evidence that either supports or refutes it.

Question 5

define a theory

Answer 5

a proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions about cause and effect. To explain and predict informed by scientific research and logic.

Question 6

define a model

Answer 6

a representation of a concept, process or behaviour often made to simplify or make something easier to understand. Main function is to simplify and represent informed by scientific theories and ideas.

Question 7

define an aim

Answer 7

a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation. It should be written as a succinct and straightforward sentence that clearly helps to narrow the parameters of the investigation.

Question 8

define a hypothesis

Answer 8

a testable prediction about the outcome of an investigation.

Question 9

define variables

Answer 9

specific conditions or components of an experiment that can be manipulated or measured by the experimenter.

Question 10

define population

Answer 10

a group of people who are the focus of the research and from which the sample is drawn.
- Helps to narrow the scope of research and improves the quality of research (because certain methods or measures in research can be more suitable to certain groups of people).

Question 11

define the direction

Answer 11

a prediction about the inclination of results.

Question 12

recall the formula for a hypothesis

Answer 12

It is predicted that (participants/population) who/when (independent variable experimental condition), will have/show (direction) (dependent variable) compared to those who/when show (independent variable control condition).

Question 13

define independent variable

Answer 13

the variable for which quantities are manipulated (controlled, selected, or changed) by the researcher and the variable is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.

Question 14

define dependent variable

Answer 14

the variable the researcher measures in an experiment for changes it may experience due to the effect of the independent varuable.

Question 15

operationalizing variables definition

Answer 15

refers to specifying exactly how the variables will be manipulated or measured in a particular controlled experiment.

Question 16

define controlled variables

Answer 16

variables other than the independent variable that a reasearcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation, to ensure that changes in the dependent variable are solely due to changes in the independent variable.
–> They are not part of the investigation because a controlled variable is not an experimental variable - independent or dependent variable/s (VCAA)

Question 17

define scientific research methodologies

Answer 17

any different processes, techniques and/or types of studies researchers use to obtain information about psychological phenomena.

Question 18

recall the 9 different Scientific research methodologies

Answer 18

1. Controlled experiments
2. Case Studies
3. Correlational studies
4. Classification and Identification
5. Fieldwork
6. Literature review
7. Modelling
8. Product, process or system development
9. Simulation

Question 19

define controlled experiments

Answer 19

Investigate the causal relationship between the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable while aiming to control all other variables.
–> Allow a researcher to strictly manipulate variables of interest (independent variables) in a controlled environment and measure their effect on another variable (dependent variable).

Question 20

define experimental group

Answer 20

the group of participants in an experiment who are exposed to a manipulated independent variable.

Question 21

define control group

Answer 21

the group of participants in an experiment who receive no experimental treatment or intervention in order to serve as a baseline for comparison.

Question 22

recall the three experimental design types in controlled experiments

Answer 22

1. Within-subjects design
2. Between-subjects design
3. Mixed subjects design

Question 23

define within subjects design

Answer 23

an experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition.

Question 24

recall the three advantages of a within-subjects design

Answer 24

1. Ensures that the results of the experiment are more likely due to the manipulation of the independent variable than any differences between participants that would occur if they were in separate groups
2. Less people are needed because each participant completes each experimental condition.
3. Good for real-world settings and phenomena.

Question 25

recall the two disadvantages of a within-subjects design

Answer 25

1. It can produce order effects (completing one experimental condition first and then the other/s may influence how participants perform in the latter condition)
2. A participant dropping out has a greater impact on the study as the experimenter loses two data points instead of one.

Question 26

define a between-subjects design

Answer 26

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

Question 27

recall the two advantages of a between-subjects design

Answer 27

1. May be less time consuming than within-subjects design as different participants can complete the different conditions simultaneously and procedures do not need to be repeated.
2. Does not create order effects

Question 28

recall the to disadvantages of a between-subjects design

Answer 28

1. May require more participants than a within-subjects design
2. Differences between participants across groups can affect results (results may be due to the split of participants rather than the independent variable).

Question 29

define mixed subjects design

Answer 29

an experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between subjects designs.
–> Allows the experimenters to not difference that occur within each experimental group overtime, and also compare differences across experimental groups.

Question 30

recall the two advantages of a mixed-subjects design

Answer 30

1. Allows experimenters to compare results across both experimental conditions and across individuals/participants/ groups overtime.
2. Allows multiple experimental conditions to be compared to a baseline control group.

Question 31

recall the two disadvantages of a mixed-subjects design

Answer 31

1. Can be more costly and time-consuming to plan, conduct, and then analyse results.
2. Demanding for researchers and assistants to be across multiple methods.

Question 32

define case studies

Answer 32

an indepth investigation of an individual, group, or particular phenomenon that is rare or hard to study repeatedly with a larger group of people, that contains a real or hypothetical situation.
–> Useful for gathering highly-detailed, in depth information about an individual or small group of people.

Question 33

recall the three criteria in which a case study might be used

Answer 33

1. Historical, analysing causes and effects, examining what was learnt.
2. A real situation or a role play of a hypothetical situation, upon which suggestions are made.
3. Problem-solving, where developing a new design or procedure is required.

Question 34

recall the four forms of data collected during a case study

Answer 34

1. Participants biographical history
2. Psychological data and biological data (e.g medical history)
3. Environmental information
4. Quantitative and qualitative data.

Question 35

define correlational studies

Answer 35

a type of non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any manipulation of them. The variables under investigation are only measured and not manipulated.
–> Aims to find relationships between variables, describe them, and made predictions on the basis of them.

Question 36

recall the three types of correlation

Answer 36

1. Positive: variables change together in the same way.
2. Negative: variables change in opposite directions.
3. Zero: no relationship between variables.

Question 37

define correlation

Answer 37

refers to the strength of relationship between variables.

Question 38

define causation

Answer 38

refers to a relationship between variables wherein a change in one causes a change in another.

Question 39

define classification and identification.

Answer 39

• Classification: the arrangement of phenomena, objects or events into manageable sets to create labels.
• Identification: a process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular sets or possibly being part of a new or unique set. Used by psychologists to then ascribe (assign certain things to their respective label or group) phenomena to a particular classification.

Question 40

define fieldwork

Answer 40

any research involving observation and interaction with people and the environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory. Often involves the researcher collecting first-hand data and may be conducted through a range of methods that are generally used to determine correlation, rather than causation.
* Often used when: researchers wish to investigate correlation rather than causation, and it is important to the research that data is collected in a real-world, authentic setting.

Question 41

recall the 5 types of fieldwork

Answer 41

1. Direct observation
2. Qualitative interview
3. Questionnaires
4. Focus groups
5. Yarning circles

Question 42

define direct observation

Answer 42

a researcher watches and listens to the participants of a study, with no direct intervention and involvement, or manipulation of variables.

Question 43

define qualitative interview

Answer 43

involve a researcher asking questions to gather in-depth information about a particular topic, theme, or idea. The interview may be structured, by the questions are generally open-ended so that participants can provide lengthier, more detailed answers, This provides rich, qualitative data for the researcher to analyse.

Question 44

define questionnaires

Answer 44

are a set of questions or prompts given to participants to answer digitally or with pen and paper. Questions may be open-ended (freely answer a question) or closed (select an answer from a given set of responses) The answers of respondents are then analysed by a researcher.

Question 45

define focus groups

Answer 45

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 (e.g. background or demographics) relevant to the discussion.

Question 46

define yarning circles

Answer 46

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. ​
–> More culturally appropriate approach to research and data collection when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.