science inquiry skills

Question 1

What is experimental design?

Answer 1

Utilised to test whether one variable or factor influences or causes a change in another variable. It consist of an experimental and control group, with a random allocation of participants into groups.

Question 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of experimental design?

Answer 2

Advantages:
- Works to control the IV as well as other unwanted extraneous variables to ensure the DV can be accurately measured.
- Experiments can be conducted multiple times to check the reliability of results.
- Researcher attempts to control the conditions in which a behaviour of interest or other event occurs.
Limitations:
- Laboratory setting is often artificial and removed from real life.
- Some elements can also not be ethically measured in a lab, or very difficult to discuss in such a sterile environment.

Question 3

What is observational design?

Answer 3

It refers to any form of examination of a n observable event, and recording data through scores, values, spoken or written responses that represent a phenomenon. It occurs in a systematic way that is undertaken according to a predetermined procedure. Both quantitative and qualitative data can be collected.

Question 4

What are the subtypes of observational design?

Answer 4

Naturalistic observation, non-participant observation and participant observation.

Question 5

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 5

Naturally occurring behaviour or interest is viewed by a researcher in an unnoticeable or inconspicuous nature.

Question 6

What is non-participant observation?

Answer 6

Observations of a behaviour made in the field; psychologists may conceal their presence by watching from a distance.

Question 7

What is participant observation?

Answer 7

Research actively participates in the activity being observed.

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of observational design?

Answer 8

Advantages:
- Able to observe the effects of a natural environment as opposed to a lab.
- Some kinds of human behaviour can only be studied using naturalistic observation in a field-setting as it would be unethical or impractical to study in a lab.
- Does not require the cooperation of participants being observed.
Limitations:
- The observer cannot directly control the different variables that could influence the observation, therefore difficult to determine causes.
- Could have observer bias due to subjectivity; researchers can sub-consciously distort what they see.

Question 9

What is qualitative design?

Answer 9

It establishes answers to the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of a particular phenomenon occurring, rather than a direct cause and effect.

Question 10

What are the advantages and limitations of a qualitative research design?

Answer 10

Advantages:
- Qualitative data is able to be collected.
- Is generally a reflective process, adapting to the needs of both the experimenters as well as the research participants.
Limitations:
- More subjective than research collecting quantitative data.
- Does not generalise to an entire population, solely accounting for the involved participant.

Question 11

Define population.

Answer 11

Refers to an entire group of research interest from which a sample is drawn.

Question 12

Define sample.

Answer 12

Usually a subsection, or smaller group of research participants selected from a population of research interest.

Question 13

Define reliability.

Answer 13

If the data collection method produces similar results across different studies.

Question 14

Define validity.

Answer 14

The extent to which the data collection method measures what is claimed to be measured/real-world relevance.

Question 15

Regarding self-reporting methods, what is a free response?

Answer 15

Requires participants to give responses freely in their own words.

Question 16

Regarding self-reporting methods, what is a fixed response?

Answer 16

Usually provide a respondent with a number of fixed alternative solutions.

Question 17

Regarding self-reporting methods, what are rating scales?

Answer 17

A series of fixed-response questions or statements about different aspects of a research topic.

Question 18

Regarding self-reporting methods, what is the Likert scale?

Answer 18

Focuses on measuring the direction of an attitude.

Question 19

Regarding self-reporting methods, what is a focus group?

Answer 19

A group interview technique that obtains data through discussion between research participants in a group setting.

Question 20

What are the benefits of using a focus group method?

Answer 20

Can help people to explore and clarify their own values in ways that would be less possible than a group interview.

Question 21

What are the advantages and limitations of a focus group?

Answer 21

Advantages:
- Richness of qualitative data that can be generated about a behaviour of interest.
- Suited to gather information about attitudes and experiences.
- Can encourage the participation of people who are usually uncomfortable.
Limitations:
- Related to the presence of other research participants.
- Does not enable the confidentiality of more conventional research settings.

Question 22

What is the Delphi technique?

Answer 22

Obtains information on a research question or problem from experts or a group of individuals, each of whom has individual expertise relevant to the question or topic.

Question 23

What are extraneous variables?

Answer 23

A variable other than the IV that can cause a change in the DV in an experiment. They can be classified as either participant, situational or experimental.

Question 24

What is a participant extraneous variable?

Answer 24

The individual characteristics that participants involved in research bring with them such as biological sex, intelligence, personality, motivation, emotional state, cultural background, etc.

Question 25

What is the effect of a placebo?

Answer 25

Refers to the improvement of health or wellbeing due to an individual’s belief that the treatment given to them will be effective; response is influenced by expectation.

Question 26

What is a situational extraneous variable?

Answer 26

All participants of different groups within an experiment must be tested under the same conditions and situation such as temperature, lighting, humidity, etc.

Question 27

What is an experimenter extraneous variable?

Answer 27

Personal characteristics of the experimenter and their behaviour during the experiment may unintentionally affect the way in which research participants respond.

Question 28

What are examples of ethical considerations?

Answer 28

No physical or psychological harm to the participant, participants must be informed and provide consent, the right to withdraw at any time or remove their data from the experiment, provision of ID numbers to ensure confidentuality.

Question 29

What is qualitative observation?