The Scientific Method Flashcards
Identify the steps of the ‘scientific method’ in correct order
Ask a question, do background research, construct a hypothesis, test your hypothesis by doing an experiment, analyze your data and draw a conclusion, communicate your results
Explain why psychology is considered to be a science
It follows the scientific method. It is the scientific study of thoughts feelings and emotions
Name some ethical considerations and explain
Debriefing - When the researcher goes through the the study with the participant at the end and explains the purpose and the results
Confidentiality- the researcher is not allowed to release any of the participants confidential information without their consent
Withdrawal rights- the participant is able to withdrawal at any time during the study
Define Hypothesis
A proposed explanation of ones results made based on limited evidence
Define independent variable
The variable that the experimenter manipulates
Define dependent variable
The variable that is being measured
Define extraneous variable
The variable that is uncontrolled
Define control group
The group that does not receive treatment
Define experimental group
Group that will receive the treatment
Random sampling
Every person in the population has an equal chance at being selected
Stratified sampling
The population is divided into groups called ‘strata’. A sample is drawn from these strata
Sample
A sub group of the population that represents the population
Population
The group of people you are studying
Qualitative data
Descriptions of the characteristics being studied
Quantitative data
Measurements or numerical data eg. Scores
Mean
The average
Median
The item in the middle
Mode
The most popular: most common
Overt behaviour
Directly observable behaviors
Covert behaviour
Those that go in inside the body - non observable eg. Thinking
Covert behaviour
Those that go in inside the body - non observable eg. Thinking
Experiment
A scientific procedure that is used to make a discovery, or test a hypothesis.
Natural observation
Observing someone in their natural behaviour : environment
Survey
Data collection tool to gather information by asking a series of questions
Case study
The use of a descriptive research approach to obtain an analysis of a person or group
What is the era write up procedure
Abstract, introduction , aim, hypothesis , method - participants/ materials, procedure- results, discussion, conclusion
