SES - Quantitative Research

Question 1

What are the 2 types of scientific process and data that exist?

Answer 1

1. ) Quantitative research

2. ) Qualitative research

Question 2

Quantitative research?

Answer 2

Uses numbers to systematically Investigate observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.

Question 3

Qualitative research?

Answer 3

Uses words to understand observable or underlying phenomena through focus groups, individual interviews, and participation or observation.

Question 4

What defines the specific objective of the study/experiment and what type of research?

Answer 4

Research question.

Question 5

How is the research question developed?

Answer 5

Through reading and synthesising the previous scientific research and theory to identify the next step in research.
Through observation of the real-world.

Question 6

What does a literature review involve?

Answer 6

Searching for, collating, reading, and synthesising all of the literature on your question.

Question 7

What does a new question have to do?

Answer 7

Build on previous discoveries in science.

Question 8

Hypothesis/Hypotheses?

Answer 8

Set of predictions, propositions or expectations to win a test in a study/experiment, created from somewhat limited evidence.

Question 9

How are hypothesis/hypotheses developed?

Answer 9

Through reading and synthesising previous scientific research in order to predict what will be found.

Question 10

2 steps to collecting data to test your question?

Answer 10

You need to decide:

• What to measure.
• How to measure it.

Question 11

Variables?

Answer 11

Factors which are measured and can change/vary.

Question 12

How can most hypothesis be stated?

Answer 12

In terms of 2 variables, a proposed:

• Cause.
• Outcome.

Question 13

What are known to be the cause of some effect?

Answer 13

Independent variables.

Question 14

What denotes a variable the researcher has deliberately manipulated?

Answer 14

Independent variable.

Question 15

Predictor variable?

Answer 15

Independent variable.

Question 16

What is measured as an outcome that is affected by changes in the independent variable?

Answer 16

Dependent variable.

Question 17

Outcome variable?

Answer 17

Response accuracy, response time.

Question 18

What refers to one other than the manipulated independent variables that potentially effects the dependent variable?

Answer 18

Confounding variable.

Question 19

Example of a confounding variable?

Answer 19

Different tennis skill level of participants.

Question 20

What relates to the outside factors that could possibly influence the result of the experiment that are deliberately kept out of or tested in the study?

Answer 20

Control.

Question 21

What does sampling involve?

Answer 21

Selecting a sub-group of people from a population.

Question 22

Why should samples normally be randomly selected?

Answer 22

So samples are representative of the population.

Question 23

Sham/stimulated intervention that can produce perceived or actual improvement and is used as a control condition?

Answer 23

Placebo.

Question 24

A measure of consistency of the dependent variable ensuring it is consistent or repeatable when measured more than once under the same conditions?

Answer 24

Reliability.

Question 25

Validity?

Answer 25

A check that the experiment measures what is purports to measure.

Question 26

Internal validity?

Answer 26

Relates to the conditions or design of the study ensuring that your experimental results are due to the independent variables manipulated.

Question 27

How should threats to internal validity be dealt with by a scientist?

Answer 27

Remove/minimise their impact through a sound experimental design.

Question 28

External validity?

Answer 28

Addresses the generalisation of the findings outside of the experiment setting.

Question 29

Examples of why there is often a conflict between internal validity and external validity?

Answer 29

E.g. lab-based experimental findings may not be applicable outside.
E.g. studies in non-lab settings with high external but low internal validity.

Question 30

Involves observation and measurement of what naturally occurs in the real-world without any attempt at interference?

Answer 30

Descriptive study.

Question 31

Experimental study?

Answer 31

Systematically manipulating one or more independent variables under controlled circumstances and measuring the effects on the dependent variable.

Question 32

2 types of descriptive study?

Answer 32

Cross-sectional.

Longitudinal.

Question 33

Cross-sectional studies?

Answer 33

Observation and measurement of what naturally occurs in the real-world without interference.
Has 2 or more samples that differ on a variable(s) at a specific time point (Age, IQ, Health).

Question 34

Longitudinal studies?

Answer 34

Observation and measurement of what naturally occurs in the real-world without interference.
Several dependent variables are measured across extended time periods.

Question 35

Correlational study?

Answer 35

Observation and measurement of what naturally occurs in the real-world without interference, but to establish the strength of a relationship between 2 variables.

Question 36

Repeated measures study?

Answer 36

Measuring the same participants in same conditions 2+ times usually surrounding an intervention.

Question 37

Case study?

Answer 37

Single subject measured before and after an intervention.

Question 38

Cross-over design study?

Answer 38

2 conditions/treatments and half participants receive real treatment first, the other half control first.

Question 39

Randomised-control trial?

Answer 39

Participants are assigned randomly to experimental and control groups or treatments.

Question 40

Casual comparative study?

Answer 40

Participants are in groups that differ on a critical variable, but are otherwise similar.

Question 41

Single-blind control trial?

Answer 41

Where the experimenter is aware of the conditions, participants are not.

Question 42

Double-blind trial>

Answer 42

Where the experimenter nor the participants are aware of the conditions.