Key Scientific Skills/ Research Methods Flashcards
Accuracy
how close a measurement is to the true value
of the quantity being measure
Aim
a statement outlining the purpose of the study p. 3
Allocation
the process of assigning participants to conditions in the experiment for the research p. 19
Bar chart
a graph that depicts the relationship between two variables using rectangular bars p. 41
Beneficience
the commitment to maximising benefits
and minimising the risks and harms involved in taking a
particular position or course of action
Case study
an in-depth study of an individual or a group of individuals p. 10
Choosing an experimental research design
the process of choosing an appropriate experimental research design in order to reduce possible extraneous and confounding variables p. 24
Conclusion
a statement regarding the results of an investigation as to whether the hypothesis was supported or not p. 47
Confidentiality
the right of the participant for their personal details to remain private p. 31
Confounding variables
variables other than the independent variable that have directly and systematically had an effect on the dependent variable p. 23
Control group
a group that is used as a basis for comparison; participants are not exposed to the experimental conditions (the IV) p. 12
Controlled variable
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
Convenience sampling
when a sample is selected using the quickest and easiest means possible, selecting people who are readily available from the population p. 18
Correlational study
a type of non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any active control or manipulation of them
Counterbalancing
a method used in repeated-measures experimental designs to reduce order effects p. 24
Cross-sectional study
when data is collected from participants from different segments of the population (pre-existing cohorts) to represent a ?snapshot? in time p. 10
Debriefing
occurs at the conclusion of an experiment and involves the researcher outlining the nature of the experiment to participants and includes ensuring that participants do not leave the experiment with lasting harm p. 31
Deception
when the participant is unaware of the true nature of the experiment p. 31
Dependent variable (DV)
the variable that is being measured in an experiment for changes it experiences due to the independent variable p. 4
Descriptive statistics
statistics that are used to organise and summarise data p. 40
Demand characteristics
cues in an experiment that may signal to a participant the intention of the study and influence their behaviour
Double-blind procedure
a procedure in which both the participants and the person conducting the experiment are unaware of which condition participants have been allocated to, in order to reduce experimenter bias p. 25
Ethics committee
a group of people who review research proposals, consider the potential risks, benefits and implications in order to either approve or disapprove them for research p. 30
Controlled experiment
a type of investigation in which the causal relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment; more specifically, the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable while aiming to control all other variables
Experimental group
the group within an experiment that are exposed to experimental conditions (the IV) p. 12
Experimenter effects
occur when an experimenter?s expectations about the study influence the results p. 25
External validity
the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to other settings, people and time p. 49
Fieldwork
any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory
Extraneous variables
variables other than the independent variable that may produce unwanted results in an experiment p. 23
Generalisability
the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to the wider research population p. 48
Hypothesis
a testable prediction about the outcome of an experiment; it is written in the form of a statement and includes the variables that will be tested p. 3
Between subjects design
(also known as independent design) an experimental design in which participants are split into two or more groups; typically a control group and an experimental groups p. 12
Independent variable (IV)
the variable that the experimenter manipulates in order to observe the effect it causes on the dependent variable p. 4
Inferential statistics
statistics that provide information on the statistical significance of the results and suggest how they might apply to a wider population p. 40
Informed consent
ensuring participants have a thorough understanding of the procedures involved in the research they are partaking in, including potential harm or risks, and still willingly agree to participate p. 31, 373
Internal validity
the extent to which the changes in the dependent variable are caused by the independent variable, and not other variables p. 49
Interview
a type of questionnaire that is usually conducted verbally, involving the researcher asking participants questions and recording their responses p. 9
Line graph
a graph that depicts the relationship between two variables using a line that connects each data point p. 41
Mixed Design
an experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects designs
Longitudinal study
a type of investigation in which data is gathered from participants over an extended period of time, and the participants are followed up after specific time intervals p. 10
Mean
a measure of central tendency that represents the average of a data set p. 40
Non-maleficence
(also known as the no-harm principle) the principle of avoiding causing harm
Non-standardised testing procedures
when instructions and procedures in an experiment are not consistent for all participants, therefore affecting the results obtained p. 26
Objective data
data that can be observed or measured by multiple people and obtain the same results p. 36
Observational study
a type of study in which data is collected through careful monitoring of participants p. 10
Operationalisation
the process of defining variables in terms of how they will be either manipulated or measured in the experiment p. 5
Order effects
(also known as practice effects) a source of error in repeated-measures designs due to the order the participants participate in the experimental and control conditions p. 24
Outlier
a value that differs from the other values in a data set p. 41
Participant-related variables
(also known as individual participant differences) individual participant differences that can affect the results p. 24
Placebo
a procedure or substance with no active treatment p. 25, 374
Placebo effect
changes to an individual?s mental or physical state as a result of a false belief in the effects of a placebo substance or procedure p. 35, 374
Population
(also known as research population) the group of people of interest to an experiment p. 3, 17
Precision
how closely a set of measurement values agree with each other
Primary data collection
a method of data collection involving data being collected directly by the experimenter p. 35
Qualitative data
data that describes the characteristics of something; data of concepts that can be measured non-numerically p. 36
Quantitative data
data concerning numerical amounts; expressed numerically p. 36
Questionnaire
(also known as surveys) a list of questions that participants can respond to in a variety of formats p. 9
Random allocation
when every member of the sample has an equal chance of being assigned to each condition in an experiment p. 19
Random errors
errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance
Random sampling
when every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample p. 18
Range
a measure of variability that is a value obtained by subtracting the lowest value in a data set from the highest value
Rating scale
a form of questionnaire collecting numerical data from participants? responses p. 10
Reproducibility
the extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the same results when repeated under different conditions (e.g. different participants, time, observer, and/or environmental conditions)
Repeatability
the extent to which successive measurements or studies 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)
Literature Review
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
Within subjects design
(also known as repeated measures design) an experimental design in which the same participants are in every condition of the experiment p. 12
Sample
a subset of the population, commonly referred to as the research participants p. 17
Sampling
the process through which the participants for a study are selected from the population of interest p. 17
Sampling procedures
the method of choosing an appropriate sampling procedure to reduce possible extraneous and confounding variables p. 24
Self-report
a participant?s subjective account of an experience; this type of investigation can be conducted through the use of a questionnaire, interview or rating scale p. 9
Single-blind procedure
a procedure in which participants are unaware of which condition they have been allocated to, in order to reduce participant expectations p. 25
Situational variables
any environmental factor that may affect the dependent variable
Standard deviation
a measure of central tendency that represents the spread of data around the mean p. 40
Standardised instructions and procedures
the consistent use of instructions and procedures for all participants p. 26
Stratified sampling
when the population is divided into groups based upon relevant characteristics, and participants are selected from each group in proportion to how they appear in the population p. 18
Subjective data
data that relies on personal opinion or self-report p. 36
Systematic errors
errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount
Table
a method of presenting data using columns and rows p. 41
True value
the value, or range of values, that would be found if the quantity could be measured perfectly
Validity
the extent to which the investigation measures what it intends to measure p. 49
Variable
a factor or element of an experiment that may be manipulated or measured p. 3
Voluntary participation
the right of the participant to freely choose to willingly participate p. 31
Withdrawal rights
the right of the participant to leave the study at any point, without fear of consequence p. 31
