Research methods- scientific methodologies

Question 1

what are the general principles of scientific investigations?

Answer 1

identifying a topic on interest
finding out what has already been learnt
formulating a hypothesis/ null hyothesis that can be tested
designing and carrying out an experiment to test the hypothesis
designing the investigation
analysing the results and drawing conclusions
planing further research to fill gaps in existing knowledge or develop the study further

Question 2

what must be considered when designing an investigation?

Answer 2

location of sampling sites
number of samples
size of samples
standardised technique
timing of sampling
statistical analysis to assess staistical significance

Question 3

why is careful planning needed for studies?

Answer 3

to ensure data collected can be used to conclude whther a hypothesis should be accepted or rejected
so that statistical significance of the results can be assesed

Question 4

what is it rarely possible to do with data collection?

Answer 4

collect all the data that exists about a particular issue

Question 5

what is more usual with data collection then collecting all samples?

Answer 5

collect sub-samples and use these to estimate the full situation

Question 6

how will subsamples produce a reliable conclsuion?

Answer 6

will only do so if the sub smaples are are representative

Question 7

what can make sub-samples more representative?

Answer 7

location
timing
size
number

Question 8

what should be done to test the reliability of the method?

Answer 8

a preliminary study

Question 9

what must you do if data is not being collected at a single location?

Answer 9

then decisions will jave to be made about the positioning of the smapling sites

Question 10

what is it essential to do when selecting smapling loations?

Answer 10

aviod the introduction of bias caused by deliberate selection of locations for convinience or to support or dimiss a hypothesis

Question 11

how can the introduction of bias be avioded?

Answer 11

by simple random or systematic sampling

Question 12

how can random sampling be done?

Answer 12

if the study area is a regular shape then a grid can be laid out and the coordinates of sampling sites selected using random numbers
if the study area is an irregular shape then all possible sampling sites can be numbered and selected using a random number generator

Question 13

what is systematic sampling?

Answer 13

involves samples being taken using a chosen interval between samples
not based on choices made using observable differences in the study area

Question 14

what types of systematic sampling can be done?

Answer 14

along a line trasnect- only things on the line
continuous belt transect- every square sampled using quadrat anything in or very close to the belt
interuped belt transect- sampling locations at regular intervals

Question 15

what should the distance between sample locations be with systematic sampling?

Answer 15

should be selected to detected variable data (changes that happen)
don’t want it too be to small and collect unneccsary data
can be determined with a premininary study

Question 16

why mustsampling timing be considered?

Answer 16

if the factor that is being measured changes with time then it will be necessary to sample on different occasions to produce a mean result that represents the ‘typical’ value or identify trends/ changes

Question 17

what is the ideal time left between taking samples?

Answer 17

depends on the rate at which values in that area change
can be determined with a preliminary study

Question 18

what variables will be sampled on a long term timescale?

Answer 18

popualtion changes (tigers)
area of rainforest
Atmospheric CO2 level

Question 19

what variables for samples will be measured on a seasonal timesclae?

Answer 19

presnece of migratory species
population of annual wild flowers
temperature
atmospheric CO2 level
river level

Question 20

what variables will be measured on a diurnal scale? (24hrs)

Answer 20

light levels
temperature
Atmopsheric CO2 levels

Question 21

what variables will be measured on minute to weekly scale? (Enviro)

Answer 21

weather related changes
flying insect activity
wind velocity
temperature

Question 22

what are other variables will be measured short term?

Answer 22

road noise levels

Question 23

how does sample size affect an investigation?

Answer 23

if the variable being measured is not homogenou then larger samples are more likely to produce representative results

Question 24

how can a sample for an investigation be decided?

Answer 24

be a preliminary study

Question 25

why can you just take one sample when investigating something?

Answer 25

may not be representative as there may be variability between samples

Question 26

what is the benefit of collecting multiple samples in an investigtion?

Answer 26

multiple samples will help to eliminate the effect of variability

Question 27

how many samples should you collect for an investigation?

Answer 27

at least 10

Question 28

what is needed to produce a representative mean?

Answer 28

depends on upon the degree of scatter around the mean

Question 29

how can the degree of scatter be measured from a data set?

Answer 29

assessed by calculating the standard deviation

Question 30

why must you use a standardisation of techniques?

Answer 30

to allow a comparison of the results that are collected at different times in different locations or by different researchers they must all be collected in the same way

Question 31

what must be done with other vaiables that may affect the results?

Answer 31

must either be controlled or monitored to assess their effects