Science inquiry Flashcards
Non experimental research
Non-experimental research is the label given to a study when a researcher cannot control, manipulate or alter the predictor variable or subjects. high level of external validity, meaning it can be generalized to a larger population.
relies on- Interpretation, Observation or interactions to come to a conclusion.
eg. correlations, surveys
Case studies
In-depth investigations of a single person, group, event or community. Data is gathered from a variety of sources and methods, Research may continue for an extended period of time, so processes and developments can be studied as they happen. eg. Phineas Gage
Case studies pros and cons
pros- Provides detailed (rich qualitative) information, Provides insight for further research.
cons- Can’t generalise the results to the wider population, researcher bias, Difficult to replicate, Time consuming.
Correlation
A correlation refers to a relationship between two variables.
Correlations can be strong or weak, as well as positive or negative. Used in psychology as a way to gather information about a topic or in situations where performing an experiment is not possible.
Three types: naturalistic observation, survey method, archival research.
Correlation- observational
Research tool in which a subject is observed in its natural habitat without any manipulation by the observer. The environment is in no way being manipulated by the observer nor was it created by the observer.
Correlation- Surveys
Method for collecting information or data as reported by individuals. Allows researchers to collect a large amount of data in a relatively short period of time.
-Less expensive than many other data collection techniques, Can be created quickly and administered easily.
Correlation- Archival
A method of collecting data from sources that already exist.
Common examples of archival research sources are census records or survey data that was collected in the past.
eg. Harvard Research Archive
Longitudinal
Look at the variables over an extended period of time. This type of study is useful when studying development and lifespan issues.
Cons- Cost of running the experiment, participants may drop out reducing the sample size, extended time to get the results.
Cross sectional
Looks at data at a single point in time. It does not involve manipulating variables. It can provide information about what is happening in a current population
- Snapshot of a particular group of people at a given point in time.
Experimental research
Researchers actively manipulate the IV, Manipulate the subjects, Experimental and control group, Useful in finding out the cause-effect relationship, correlation, Goal is to test the hypothesis
Non-experimental studies
Cannot experimentally control, manipulate or alter the IV Looks at naturally occurring factors, Must define the population to study, then collect sample data from that population, Goal is to find out what naturally occurs in the environment without directly manipulating anything, No variables are changed during the experiment.
Examples: Correlation studies, case studies, observational, cross sectional and longitudinal.
Scientific research
research that follows scientific method and the findings of scientific research can be reproduced and demonstrated to be consistent (the results can be reliable).
Non-scientific research
research that does not follow scientific method and cannot be reproduced and demonstrated to be consistent (the results are not reliable).
Population
the complete collection of people, objects or events that can possibly be measured. The population is the entire group of people belonging to a particular category. It is the larger group of research interest from which a sample is to be drawn.
Sample
a group of participants selected from, and representative of, a population of research interest. A sample must represent the population from which it is drawn in order for inferences to be made about that population.
Selection of participants
Identify the population you can select from to conduct your research –> Select the sample group from the population using: Convivence sampling, Snowballing, Random sampling
or Stratified sampling
Non-probability sampling
The process of selecting a sample from a population without using (statistical) probability theory. Each member of the population DOES NOT have an equal chance of being included in the sample.
Example
– convenience sampling and snowball sampling
NP sampling- convenience
Select participants that are readily available. Researcher find participants in the most accessible places. Examples include: online and social media surveys, surveying people in a shopping center, workplace, school.
pros- Data collection is easier and anyone can do the research, Quick and low cost, Fewer rules, Ease of future participants, Great for initial research (pilot testing)
cons- Sampling bias, May exclude a range of demographics.
Low external validity.
Np sampling- snowballing
Research participants are asked to assist researchers in identifying other potential subjects. It is a way of recruiting new participants via the existing participants
steps:
Identify potential subjects
Ask those subjects to recruit other people
Repeat these steps until you reach your sample size
ADVANTAGES- Allows for some studies to take place, Quick to find participants, Cost effective, Sample hesitant subjects come forward.
DISADVANTAGES- Usually impossible to determine sampling error or make inferences, Lack of cooperation, Sampling bias
Probability sampling
When the participants in the population have an equal chance of being selected.
P sampling- stratified random sampling
Break the population into groups/strata, Randomly select participants from each group/strata in the same proportion they appear in population and put into sample.
Advantages: more representative of the population
Limitations: time consuming.
P sampling- stratified sampling
Break the population into groups/strata, Select participants from each group/strata in the same proportion they appear in population and put into sample.
Advantages: more representative of the population.
Limitations: time consuming.
P sampling- random
Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.
1. Collate names of members in population.
2. Draw names out of hat or use a computer-generated program to select random numbers.
Advantages: free from bias, quick and easy.
Limitations: it may not be representative of the population.
Extraneous variable
any variable you’re not investigating that can potentially affect the outcome of your research study. if left uncontrolled, can lead to inaccurate results due to conditions such as weather or time of day
Independent variable
variable that you manipulate, found on the x axis