research methods & key science skills

Question 1

scientific method

Answer 1

a tool used to undertake an inquiry

Question 2

controlled experiment

Answer 2

cause/effect relationship
- must eliminate all variables that could interfere

Question 3

variable

Answer 3

a measurable factor that changes, in amount or kind, overtime

Question 4

aim

Answer 4

focus of the research

Question 5

independant variable (IV)

Answer 5

changed to measure effect on the DV

Question 6

Dependent variable (DV)

Answer 6

what is observed/ measured due to the IV
- how it changes depends on the IV

Question 7

defining variables

Answer 7

ensures research is repeatable and can lead to higher validity

Question 8

extraneous variables

Answer 8

any variable other than the IV that are effecting the DV

‘one off’

Question 9

confounding variables

Answer 9

a type of extraneous variable
- present from start to finish
- systematically effecting results creating bias

Question 10

controlled variables

Answer 10

may effect DV- needs to be help constant to remove potential effects

Question 11

hypothesis and what it must include

Answer 11

• testable prediction of the effect of the IV on the DV

must include
- IV, DV, direction (effect of IV on DV), comparison of groups

Question 12

theory

Answer 12

explanation of a set of findings about behaviour and/ or mental processes

Question 13

model

Answer 13

how some behaviour/ mental process occurs

Question 14

sample

Answer 14

must be representative of the characteristics of the population

Question 15

random sampling

Answer 15

every member has an equal opportunity of being selected
- minimises differences in participant characteristics

Question 16

stratified (random) sampling

Answer 16

broken into strata (sub-groups)
- proportion of strata must be the same as the population

Question 17

controlled group

Answer 17

standard for comparison