Science Inquiry Skills

Question 1

What is an experimental research design

Answer 1

an experimental research design is when the experimenter can manipulate an independent variable and observe changes in the dependent variable to test a cause and effect relationship.

Question 2

What are the advantages of an experimental research design

Answer 2

it demonstrates a cause of relationship, It can be replicated/repeated to see if the same findings emerge. It maximises control over relevant variable - therefore minimises the effect of extraneous variables

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of an experimental research design

Answer 3

Generalizability outside the laboratory, some complex phenomena cannot be readily tested using pure experimental methods, ethical issues present challenges when testing some naturally occurring phenomena

Question 4

What is an observational research design

Answer 4

Uses pre-existing samples of data to test a correlation between two variables when it is unethical to deliberately expose a group of people to a particular variable.

Question 5

What are the advantages of an observational research design

Answer 5

Can explore topics which are too unethical, costly, impractical or impossible to experiment

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of an observational research design

Answer 6

there is a lack of control in planning that leads to an inability to create constant variables. There is limited ability to explore causation and confidently conclude that a change in the IV caused a change in DV. There is a lack of reliability due to extraneous variables as the environment observed cannot be replicated.

Question 7

What is a qualitative research design

Answer 7

is when research comes from language (words/sentences) that is unlikely have correlations with quantitative data. common qualitative research designs are focus groups and the Delphi technique

Question 8

what are the advantages of a focus group qualitative research design

Answer 8

increases the richness of the qualitative data that can be generated as people are unhibited and are not limited by a yes/no response. It is easy to organise and inexpesive to conduct. Useful for collecting information from individuals who have difficulty writing or reading. It can encourage participation of those who may normally be anxious/uncomfortable about sharing information. Participants can bounce ideas off each other and be inspired, hob their memory when one person talks.

Question 9

what are the disadvantages of a focus group qualitative research design

Answer 9

Dominate participants not allowing others to talk. some may not feel comfortable expressing a particular response in from of others. Does not enable confidentiality.

Question 10

how to apply communication and collaboration SHE key concept

Answer 10

discussion
talking
publication
people working together

Question 11

how to apply development and application SHE key concept

Answer 11

changed or improved overtime
how it is being integrated/applied

Question 12

how to apply influence and impact SHE key concept

Answer 12

ways they use others research
outcomes - what is going to happen as a result of this
who/where

Question 13

What is validity

Answer 13

Is concerned with the extent to which something measures what it sets out to measure.

Question 14

What is reliability

Answer 14

Is the measure of consistency – if the measurement is repeated and the same result is obtained then it is described as being reliable.

Question 15

What is subjective data

Answer 15

data that is collected or obtained via personal observations

Question 16

What is objective data

Answer 16

data that can be verified by other researchers, increasing the reliability and validity of the data

Question 17

What is qualitative data

Answer 17

Data that is expressed in words, or sentences to describe the DV

Question 18

What is quantitative data

Answer 18

Data that is represented numerically that can be statistically analysed and presented in table or graph format to make interpretation of the results simpler

Question 19

What is subjective quantitative data

Answer 19

it is data that is collected or obtained via personal interpretations that is expressed numerically

Question 20

What is subjective qualitative data

Answer 20

it is data that is collected or obtained via personal interpretations that is expressed in words or sentences

Question 21

What is objective quantitative data

Answer 21

it is data that can be verified by other researchers that is expressed numerically.

Question 22

What is a sample of data

Answer 22

it is the group of participants who where selected to participate in the research. The sample of participants most closely matches the population and minimises any participant extraneous variables.

Question 23

What is a population of data

Answer 23

the population is the entire group of people belonging to a particular category that is interested in researching.

Question 24

What is the biopsychosocial model

Answer 24

It is a model that emphasizes the interconnections between biological, psychological and social factors by systematically considering their complex interactions in understanding health and illness.

Question 25

What is the biological aspect of the BPS model

Answer 25

Physiological pathway, physical health and genetic vulnerabilities

Question 26

What is the psychological aspect of the BPS model

Answer 26

thoughts, emotions and behaviours such as psychological distress, fear/avoidance beliefs, current coping methods and attributions

Question 27

What is the sociocultural aspect of the BPS model

Answer 27

socio-economical, socio-environmental and culture factors such as work issues, family circumstances and benefits/economics.

Question 28

What are the types of sampling

Answer 28

Convenience sampling
Random sampling
stratified sampling

Question 29

What is convenience sampling and its advantages and disadvantages

Answer 29

it involves selecting the sample from a group of people that the research has access to. Its main advantage is that it is convenient, although it can contain a range of bias (in the form of participant variables) it doesn’t represent the population accurately

Question 30

What is random sampling and its advantages and disadvantages

Answer 30

it is a systematic and planned process for selecting the research sample. It involves giving all members of the population to have an equal change of being selected as they are selected at random.

Question 31

What is stratified sampling and its advantages and disadvantages

Answer 31

it involves breaking the population down into smaller groups and random samples are taken from the smaller groups in the same proportion as they appear in the population. Its advantage is that samples selected using this method are most representative of the population, therefore eliminating participant extraneous variables

Question 32

what is a focus group qualitative research design

Answer 32

it is usually between 1-10 participants and there are set question given to the group by a facilitator. Then as the responses come in the facilitator writes them and there also may be a voice recording.

Question 33

What is the Delphi technique qualitative research design

Answer 33

it is a survey that is done with a range of people that have a relation to the topic researched. It starts with a survey that has open ended questions to try and get a consensus, then depending on if people responded another set of questions are made (based from previous responses) however they are less opened question. This is then repeated with more closed ended questions

Question 34

What are the advantages of the Delphi technique qualitative research design

Answer 34

enables a small or large group of experts to be contacted cheaply through a post or email. It seeks to maximise the benefits from having informed people consider a problem while minimising the disadvantages associated with group decision making in face to face meetings. it considers alternative views and options. participants less swayed by social desirability bias

Question 35

what are the disadvantages of the Delphi technique qualitative research design

Answer 35

researchers may force consensus and the agreed upon opinions may have been weakened by not allowing participants to discuss issue.

Question 36

What are the ethics behind research designs

Answer 36

• freedom from coercion/voluntary participation (must have freedom to say that they dont want to participate, advised that can withdraw at any given time, must volunteer (not large pay)
• informed consent (informed of all aspects of the research that will influence desicion to participant, written consent, minor)
• deception only when necessary (where providing information about study may influence the participants behaviour - affecting accuracy - deception necessary, is it justified, debriefing)
• adequate debriefing (informed of all aspects of study when ended, correct any mistaken attitudes about the research, service)
• confidentiality (information supplied must be kept confidential, psychologists should discloses confidential information with permission, informed of rights)
• No psychological or physical harm (must not be exposed to situations where harm is likely)