scientific enquiry skills Flashcards
What is a scientific method?
A method of procedure that consists of systematic observation, measurement and experiment, alongside the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses.
What is a hypothesis?
A proposed explanation on the basis of limited evidence as to prompt further investigation.
What are variables?
Anything that can change or be measured.
What is an independent variable?
The variable that is manipulated in order to explore its effects.
What is a dependent variable?
The variable that is dependent on the independent variable; the one that is measured.
What is an extraneous variable?
A variable that is not being measured, but unintentionally imposes an effect to the experiment’s outcome.
What are the research design types?
Experimental, qualitative and observational.
What are the characteristics of the experimental research design type?
The manipulation of one or more variables, control group and experimental group, alongside a random assignment of participants to groups.
What are the characteristics of the qualitative research design type?
The exploration of individual experiences and perspectives, interviews and focus groups, and emphasises subjective interpretation.
What are the characteristics of the observational research design type?
No manipulation of variables, observation, can be descriptive or correlational.
What is the biopsychosocial model?
It comprises three main components: psychology, biology and sociology, and regards how they are all connected to one another.
