Module 7: Fact or Fallacy Flashcards
What is validity?
The variable must be kept constant to prevent affecting the dependent variable. When the data answers the question you are asking to determine if it is a fair test.
- Ensure controlled variable is controlled
What is reliability?
Repeat the same method and measurements to show how closely the measurement are to each other.
- Test through repetition
- Compare mean to each value
What is accuracy?
Refers to the closeness of a measurement to the true value. Systematic errors will reduce the accuracy of the data.
- Measurements are more precise by using digital instruments to reduce human error and parallax error
- Larger quantity reduces the percentage error
- Things affecting are equipment, interpretation, record data
Influence of sample selection and sample size
Inappropriate sample selection and poor sample size, both of which can lead to the increased chance of random effects caused by an inadequate sampling protocol. Does not present a true representation of the world.
Importance of sample size
Determines the reliability of an investigation. Problems with sample size are too small to eliminate random chance from swaying the results. Greater the sample size, the more reliable the results. However, is time-consuming and costly, so scientists predict which sample size will be large enough to produce reliable results.
Emotive advertising with evidence-based claims
Science develops an understanding of the truth of the world and empowers people to make informed decisions. Advertising persuades a customer to purchase a good/ service. Advertisers employ a variety of different techniques, taking advantage of innate human biases and vulnerabilities, to persuade customers to purchase their products.
Placebos
Used in trials of medications or treatment to test the efficacy. To eliminate bias a controlled group takes a sugar pill if the person claims it works the same as the medication that is the placebo effect. In a single-blind experiment, one group receive the placebo and the other receives the medication. This determines the effectiveness of the medicine if the treated group is measured above the control group.
Double trials - ‘Gold standard’
Experimenters nor the subjects are aware of the treatment. This eliminates the possibility that the experimenters will treat the placebo group differently from the treatment group to eliminate bias from the participants as they do not know what treatment they are getting.
Misinterpreted correlation- Hawthorne effect 1920s
Find what variables can improve the productivity of workers working in a factory. Found productivity improved regardless of variables were tested, (working hours and rest breaks) Researchers first thought improved productivity was due to the workers being observed. Confounding variable: small sample size, no randomisation, encouraging tones and bias.
Determine accuracy in media?
- Where does the information come from and can it be verified?
- Are there spelling mistakes, typos, slang, poor grammar?
Determine validity in media?
- Is the language used free of bias and emotion?
- 2. Are the scientific findings mispresented?
Determine reliability in media?
- Has the information been reviewed or referred to by others?
- Do they have the right credentials to write about a particular topic?
- Is the information current?
Peer-reviewed journal articles (magazines and newspapers)
Strive to inform a non-specialist audience about new scientific insights and discoveries. Writers’ opinions and biases may be present.
- COSMOS magazine called How a boa constrictor’s deadly embrace works.
Peer-reviewed journal articles include
- catchy-phrases and titles
- language is precise, clear but might show opinion and bias
- infographics and texts, highlighting and simplifying concepts
- use active writing style and avoid the use of passive language
Scientific article
Inform the relevant scientific community of new findings so that these can be accessed by other professionals for references and further investigations.
