SIS Flashcards
Science Inquiry Skills
1
Q
Biological examples
A
- Genetics
- Neurochemistry
- Head/body trauma or injury
- Hormones
- Disease
- Age
- Sex
- Medication/drugs
- Sleep
- Immune response
2
Q
Psychological examples
A
- Trauma
- Learning
- Emotion
- Memory
- Cognition and thinking
- Attitudes
- Beliefs
- Perceptions
- Stress
- Mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, etc)
3
Q
Social Examples
A
- Cultural values
- Religion
- Family background
- Social expectations
- Socio-economic status
- Gender expectations
- Social media
- Social support
4
Q
Empirical evidence
A
data collected by observation or experimentation. Allows accurate conclusions (free of bias)
5
Q
Scientific method
A
Systematic approach for planning, conducting and reporting research that involves collecting empirical evidence
6
Q
Independent Variable (IV)
A
The variable that is manipulated
7
Q
Dependant Variable (DV)
A
The variable that is measured
8
Q
Control Variable
A
The variable that should remain the same throughout an experiment.
9
Q
Extraneous Variables
A
Any factor that interferes with the DV, usually too difficult or unethical to control.
10
Q
Operationalised
A
More specific variables
11
Q
What are the 3 research designs?
A
Experimental
Observational
Qualitative
12
Q
Characteristics of Experimental design
A
- IV is always manipulated
- Prescence of control group
- Causality/ Causation (IV impacts DV)
- Control
- Random allocations of participant (ensures no bias)
13
Q
Experimental Design - Advantages
A
- Easy to replicate
- Maximises control of extraneous variables
- Causality
14
Q
Experimental Designs - Disadvantages
A
- Low external validity
- May not represent the entire population
- Ethical concerns
15
Q
Characteristics of observational design
A
- IV is not manipulated, it is pre-existing. (gender, ethnicity, etc.)
- Allows for research in a natural setting
- No causality
16
Q
Observational Design - Advantages
A
- Allows the study of variables that cant be manipulated
- Behaviour can be observed in a natural setting. (External validity)
- May allow for bigger sample sizes
17
Q
Observational Design - Disadvantage
A
- Can’t infer cause and effect relationship between variables
- Hard to replicate the study
- Can contain observer bias
18
Q
Qualitative design - examples
A
- Focus groups
- Delphi Technique
- Interviews
19
Q
Qualitative Design - Advantages
A
- More convenient
- Give significant rich, verbal data.
- Useful to gain start-up knowledge on a topic for further research
- information is reliable if using the Delphi Technique
- Allows opinions to be expressed on complex issues.
20
Q
Qualitative Design - Disadvantages
A
- Cant generalise data
- Prescence of the facilitator can affect what is said
- Personal bias/extraneous variables can affect data.
21
Q
Focus Groups
A
- A group discussion with participants to obtain data
- Participants are encourage to engage in the discussion, ask questions, exchange personal experiences and points of view
- A facilitator guides the discussion to ensure everyone has a turn, conversations are on track, constructive and respectful.
- A note taker keeps notes on the discussion
- Usually between 6-10 people
22
Q
Delphi Technique
A
- Uses a series of self-administered questionnaires and feedback to obtain the opinion of experts in the field of interest
- Usually data is in written format
- Experts do not need to be together
23
Q
Interviews
A
- Can be unstructured (general conversation) or structured (strict questions)
- Usually a combination of both
- Can get lengthy qualitative data however a small sample size
24
Q
What are the 3 research methods?
A
Objective Quantitative
Subjective Quantitative
Qualitative (Always subjective)
25
Objective Quantitative
Standardised tests:
- The same questions are used so the scores have the same meaning.
Physiological Measures:
- measure of body function i.e. heart rates, galvanic skin response, blood pressure, etc.
Behaviour count:
- Frequency of a specific behaviour in a given time frame
26
Subjective Quantitative
Rating scales:
- Participants select the response from a fixed statement
- Likert scale frequently used
- Intensity of emotions scale
Self-reports:
- using fixed response answers (Y/N, Multiple choice answer)
Observations:
- Using a scale/ Checklist to target behaviours
27
Quantitative - Advantages
- Usually controlled so more valid
- Can be directly verified, improving validity
- Can get substantial data in short amount of time
28
Quantitative - Disadvantages
- Doesn't explain results
- Subjective quantitative is still bias
29
Qualitative
- Questionnaires
- Interviews
- Pictures
- Descriptions
30
Qualitative - Advantages
- Rich and deep data about a research topic
- Can get expert opinions using the Delphi technique
- Useful to kickstart a research topic
31
Qualitative - Disadvantages
- Subjective
- Unable to be verified
32
Line graphs and scatter plots
- Indicates a relationship between variables in an experiment
- e.g. amount of sleep a person has had and how they report feeling
- OBSERVATIONAL
33
Column Graph
-Shows how frequently a particular category of data occurs by using a series of bars that do not touch.
- e.g. white noise vs. no white noise
- EXPERIMENTAL
34
Histogram
- Shows the frequency with which a particular score occurs in a set of data. Different to bar graphs because the bars touch and represent continuous data.
e.g. age and time
35
Normal Distribution
- the data is located in the centre of the distribution
- ideal result but hard to achieve due to outliers.
36
Positively Skewed Distribution
Curve skews to the left, indicating a large number of 'low' scores
37
Negatively skewed Distribution
Curve skews to the right, indicating a large number of 'high' scores
38
What is range?
- Difference between the greatest and least values in a set of data
- largest value - smallest value
39
What is Standard deviation?
- Average distance between scores in a distribution and the mean
- scores that cluster close to the mean have a small standard deviation
- scores that are widespread from the mean have a large standard deviation
- Low = good, High = bad
40
Positive scatterplot correlation
- As one variable increases, the other decreases
- e.g. Higher avoidance behaviours result in lower test scores.
41
Negative scatter plot correlation
- As one variable increases, the other decreases
- e.g. Higher avoidance behaviours result in lower test scores.
42
No scatter plot correlation
- No correlation between variables
- e.g. There is no relationship between gender and success in the psychology exam
43
What is the biggest threat evaluating data?
Extraneous Variables
44
What is reliability?
Precision
45
What is validity?
Accuracy
46
Describe validity.
When repeated results are the same or very close = reliable.
The extent to which an experiment yields the same results on repeated trials.
A measure can be reliable (consistent) without being valid (accurately measuring), but a measure cannot be valid unless it is reliable.
47
Describe reliability?
Research has produced results that accurately measure what it claimed to measure.
e.g. meaning you reaction time with a faulty stopwatch + low validity.
48
What to connect to validity?
Other errors
49
What to connect to reliability?
Extraneous Variables
50
What does external validity mean?
if results can be generalised to an entire populations
51
What does Economical validity mean?
if results can be generalised to other situations or settings (e.g. real life)
52
What is a sample?
a subsection of research participants selected from a larger group of interest, called the population.
The more participants in a study, the more data the more reliable the conclusions.
53
What is convenience sampling?
selecting the sample from a group of people the researcher has access to. Convenient but contains bias.
54
What is random sampling?
Every member of the targeted population has equal chance of being selected. Most desirable option for researchers as it increases representativeness. Involves selecting names at random.
55
What is stratified sampling?
Breaks down a target population into smaller groups, then random sample is chosen from the smaller groups.
56
What is a population?
Entire group of research interest from which the sample is drawn
57
What is representativeness?
Participants must represent the population, the more representative the more valid the conclusions (especially externally valid).
58
What are the 9 ethical considerations?
- Informed consent
- Rights to withdraw
- Confidentiality
- Debriefing
- Voluntary participation
- Animal welfare
- General wellbeing
- Deception
- Accurate reporting
59
Informed consent
- Participants must be appropriately informed of the type of study and the reasons for the research prior to agreeing to participate
- Participants under 18 must have parent/ caregiver consent
- Informed of all rights, risks and aim of investigation
- Informed of the right to withdraw
- First language to participants
- Informed participation is voluntary
- If under age of 18 parents or guardian must be informed of any risks, rights, and aim of investigation
Consent form essential
60
Voluntary participation
- Participants consent voluntary
- Participants cannot be bribed, threatened or coerced
- No negative consequences for refusal
61
Confidentiality
- Participants have the right to privacy so any details of their involvement can't be disclosed unless written consent is obtained.
- No personal information is released
- Anonymity is acceptable
- Often ID numbers are used
Applies to storage of data, access of data, publication
62
Right to withdraw
- Participants must be informed they may withdraw from the study at any time without explanation.
- Will not incur any negative consequences
Sometimes researchers will withdraw participant/s themselves is they are concerned about wellbeing.
63
Debriefing
- Occurs after the investigation or experiment has finished
- Researcher are told the purpose of the research
- Researcher explains what will occur with he data
- Research answers any questions participants may have.
- Informs participants of deception (if any)
64
General Wellbeing
- Participants always need to be considered before, during and after any research
- Researchers must ensure the participant experience no general harm due to the investigation
e.g. not ethical to make children eat unhealthy food to measure activity levels - children could stay overweight which could impact their health.
65
Accurate reporting
- Researchers must publish their results
- They must give complete and correct information about their research
- Cannot fabricate results
Cannot take credit for other people's work.
66
Deception
- Required in some investigations to get accurate data
- Only done if no significant physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or social harm is done
- Only used if there is no other way to achieve aim of research
- Must be informed in debriefing
67
Animal Welfare
- Code of ethics in Australia is very strict
Researcher needs to consider: welfare of the animal, use of animal justified, avoid pain and distress, know the correct maintenance, care and handling of the animal.
