Science Inquiry Flashcards
Quantitative Data
Numbers, focuses on identifying cause-and-effect relationships between variables, objective or subjective
Advantages of Quantitative Data
- Large sample size
- Can be statistically analysed
Disadvantages of Quantitative Data
- Lacks depth and detail
- Lacks openness
Qualitative Data
Descriptions / observations, non-numerical and quite subjective e.g. interviews, focus groups
Advantages of Qualitative Data
- Provides depth and detail
- Creates openness
Disadvantages of Qualitative Data
- Open to personal or researcher bias
- Difficult to statistically analyse as responses could take variety of forms
Objective vs Subjective Data
Objective measured according to identifiable external criteria
Subjective based on opinion with no external point of comparison
5 Ethical Concepts
Beneficence
Integrity and Merit
Justice
Non-maleficence
Respect
Beneficence
Having a commitment to do good and minimise risks
Integrity and Merit
Having potential benefits and acting with honesty and transparency
Justice
Ensuring fair distribution of benefits, risks and resources free of exploitation
Non-maleficence
Avoiding harm or ensuring potential harm is outweighed by benefits
Respect
Giving due regard to individual differences regarding autonomy and choice
Informed Consent
Requirement of a research in the form of a written note given by a person of age to participate
Informed consent must include:
- Guardian consent if under 18 or intellectually disabled
- Explanation of study’s purpose and foreseeable risks
- Explanation on method of data collection and storage / duration of data
- Enforcement of right to withdrawal and confidentiality
5 Participant’s Rights
Confidentiality
Privacy
Withdrawal Rights
Voluntary Participation
Protection from Harm
Confidentiality
Right to have information disclosed in a relationship
Privacy
Right to privacy in terms of access, storage and disposal of information
Voluntary Participation
Right to participate in an experiment free from bribery or coercion
Withdrawal Rights
Right to leave a study or withdraw results at any time
Protection from Harm
Should not experience negative physical or psychological effects
Deception
Provision of false or incomplete information for the purpose of misleading research participants. Requires debriefing
Debriefing
Experimental process in which after the experiment subjects are told of research’s purpose, and any deception is explained
3R Principle
Replacement: Avoid using animals if applicable (tissues and cells)
Reduction: Use fewer animals in experiments (longitudinal studies)
Refinement: Enhance animal wellbeing and living conditions
Extraneous Variable
Any variable other than IV that can change DV outcome in an unwanted way
Confounding Variable
Impossible to determine variable that has had an unwanted effect on the DV
Uncontrolled Variable
Stays random and has no effect on outcome
Directional vs Non-Directional Hypothesis
Directional hypothesis should be made if research has been made prior to experiment
3 Types of Extraneous Variables
Environment Variable: Aspects of environment that might affect behaviour (temperature, noise etc)
Participant Variable: How each participant varies from each other and its effects (age, intelligence, mood etc)
Research Variable: Experimenter conveys to participants how they should behave (health, expectations etc)
Experimental Research
Used to test cause and effect relationship between two or more variables (how IV changes affect DV)
C-group and E-group, E-group exposed to IV, C-group do not experience this treatment
Non-Experimental Research
Does not involve manipulation of IV or control of extraneous variables
Observation of naturally occurring phenomena
Case Study (Qualitative)
Non-experimental
Used to gain in-depth knowledge on specific individual or group
Cannot be replicated
Correlational Study (Quantitative)
Non-experimental
Investigates relationship between 2 or more variables without intervention
Closer to 1/-1, stronger correlation is
Longitudinal Study
Same participants monitored at different times in their lives, takes time across a long period and intervals are lengthy
Cross-Sectional Study
Participants of different cohorts are investigated at one time
