Key science skills

Question 1

Empirical evidence definition?

Answer 1

Information obtained through direct and systematic observation or
experimentation.

Question 2

Controlled experiment definition?

Answer 2

A type of investigation in which the causal relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment; more specifically, the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is tested while aiming to control all other
variables.

Question 3

Independent variable definition?

Answer 3

The variable for which quantities are manipulated (controlled, selected, or changed) by the researcher, and the
variable that is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.

Question 4

Dependent variable definition?

Answer 4

The variable the researcher measures in an experiment for changes it may experience due to the
effect of the independent variable.

Question 5

Controlled variables definition?

Answer 5

Variables other than the IV that a researcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation, to ensure that changes in the DV are solely due to changes in the IV.

Question 6

Investigation methodologies (also known as research methodologies) definition?

Answer 6

Any of the different processes, techniques and/or types of studies researchers use to obtain information about psychological phenomena.

Question 7

Types of psychological studies?
(Investigation methodologies)

Answer 7

• controlled experiments
• case studies
• correlational studies

Question 8

Other processes and techniques?
(Investigation methodologies)

Answer 8

These may be a step or process as part of a larger study, or just a process and technique used to understand a psychological phenomenon.
- Classification and identification
- Fieldwork
- Literature review
- Modelling
- Product, process or system development
- Simulation

Question 9

Case study definition?

Answer 9

An in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or particular phenomenon (activity, behaviour, event, or problem) that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes the complexities that would
be encountered in the real world.

Question 10

Correlational study definition?

Answer 10

A type of non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any active control or manipulation of them.

Question 11

Classification definition?

Answer 11

The arrangement of phenomena, objects, or events into manageable sets.

Question 12

Identification definition?

Answer 12

A process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular sets or possibly being part of a new or unique set.

Question 13

Fieldwork definition?

Answer 13

Any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real- world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory.

Question 14

Literature review definition?

Answer 14

The process of collating and analysing secondary data related to other people’s scientific findings
and/or viewpoints in order to answer a question or provide background
information to help explain observed events, or as preparation for an
investigation to generate primary data.

Question 15

Modelling definition?

Answer 15

The construction and/or manipulation of either a physical model, such as a small- or large-scale
representation of an object, or a conceptual model that represents a
system involving concepts that help people know, understand, or simulate the system.

Question 16

Product, process, or system development definition?

Answer 16

The design or evaluation of an artefact, process, or system to meet a human need, which may involve
technological applications, in addition to scientific knowledge and procedures.

Question 17

Simulation definition?

Answer 17

A process of using a model to study
the behaviour of a real or theoretical system.

Question 18

Controlled experiment advantages?

Answer 18

• They provide researchers with a high level of control over conditions and variables.
• high repeatability
• The high control of variables may mean prevention of extraneous and confounding variables.

Question 19

Controlled experiment disadvantages?

Answer 19

-As they are often conducted in a laboratory or highly controlled setting, the setting may not be
reflective of real life. This may affect participants’ responses.
- Experimenter bias
- Time consuming and expensive
- Confounding variables can still occur.

Question 20

Case studies advantages?

Answer 20

• Highly detailed rich info.
• They allow phenomena, including rare phenomena, to be examined in depth, which can provide ideas for future studies and hypotheses.
• They can incorporate other scientific
  methodologies to gain data.

Question 21

Case studies disadvantages?

Answer 21

• Results cannot be generalised (applied) to a wider population.
• researcher bias
• It can be difficult to draw conclusions about cause and effect.
• time consuming.

Question 22

Correlational study advantages?

Answer 22

• There is no manipulation of variables required.
• They can provide ideas for future hypotheses and research, as well as form the basis for theories.
• They can provide information about the relationships and associations between variables.
• They can be conducted in naturalistic settings, so findings are applicable to real work.

Question 23

Correlational study disadvantages?

Answer 23

• It can over-simplify reality.
• Labels and language can be inaccurate and create bias.

Question 24

Experimental group definition?

Answer 24

The group of participants in an experiment who are exposed to a manipulated independent variable
(i.e. a specific intervention or treatment)

Question 25

Control group definition?

Answer 25

The group of participants in an experiment who receive no experimental treatment or intervention in order to serve as a baseline for comparison.

Question 26

Within-subjects design (also known as repeated measures or within- groups design) definition?

Answer 26

An experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition.

Question 27

Between-subjects design (also known as independent-groups design or between-groups design)?

Answer 27

An experimental design in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition.

Question 28

Mixed design an experimental design definition?

Answer 28

Which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects designs.

Question 29

Within subjects Advantages?

Answer 29

- reduces individual differences

Question 30

Within subjects disadvantages?

Answer 30

- order effects - placebo effect (confidence)

Question 31

Between subjects design advantages?

Answer 31

- no order effects

Question 32

Between subjects design disadvantages?

Answer 32

- participant differences

Question 33

Mixed design advantages?

Answer 33

- no order effects, reduces individual differences.

Question 34

Mixed design disadvantages?

Answer 34

- counter balancing

Question 35

matched participants definition?

Answer 35

Trying to reduce participant differences in between- subjects design.

Question 36

Population (also known as research population) defintion?

Answer 36

The group of people who are the focus of the research and from which the sample is drawn.

Question 37

Sample defintion?

Answer 37

A subset of the research population who participate in a study.

Question 38

Generalisable (also known as generalisability) definition?

Answer 38

The ability for a sample’s results to be used to make conclusions about the wider research population.

Question 39

Sampling technique defintion?

Answer 39

The way a sample is selected from the population for a study.

Question 40

Convenience sampling defintion?

Answer 40

Any sampling technique that involves selecting readily available members of the population, rather than using a random or systematic approach.

Question 41

Random sampling definition?

Answer 41

Any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected.

Question 42

Non-Random Sampling definition?

Answer 42

Any sampling technique that involves selecting people from the population in a way that ensures that its strata (subgroups) are proportionally represented in the sample.

Question 43

Allocation definition?

Answer 43

The process of assigning participants to experimental conditions or groups.

Question 44

convenience sampling advantages?

Answer 44

- time effective and cost effective.

Question 45

convenience sampling disadvantages?

Answer 45

The most likely to produce an unrepresentative sample, thereby making it harder for researchers to generalise results to the population.

Question 46

Random sampling advantages?

Answer 46

- The sample generated can be more representative than convenience sampling. - It reduces experimenter bias in selecting participants - It can make a fairly representative sample if the sample is large.

Question 47

Random sampling Disadvantages?

Answer 47

- It may be time-consuming to ensure every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample. - It may not create an entirely representative sample when the sample is small.

Question 48

Non random advantages?

Answer 48

- The most likely to produce a representative sample.

Question 49

Non Random disadvantages?

Answer 49

- It can be time-consuming and expensive. - It can be demanding on the researcher to select the most appropriate strata to account for.

Question 50

Extraneous variable definition?

Answer 50

Any variable that is not the independent variable but may cause an unwanted effect on the dependent variable.

Question 51

Confounding variable definition?

Answer 51

A variable that has directly and systematically affected the dependent variable, apart from the independent variable.

Question 52

Participant-related variables (also known as individual participant differences) defintion?

Answer 52

Characteristics of a study’s participants that may affect the results.

Question 53

Order effects defintion?

Answer 53

The tendency for the order in which participants complete experimental conditions to have an effect on their behaviour.

Question 54

Placebo defintion?

Answer 54

An inactive substance or treatment

Question 55

Placebo effect definition?

Answer 55

When participants respond to an inactive substance or treatment as a result of their expectations or beliefs.

Question 56

Examples of extraneous and confounding variables are ? (hint: there are 7)

Answer 56

- participant-related variables - order effects - placebo effects - experimenter effects - situational variables - non-standardised instructions and procedures - demand characteristics.

Question 57

Experimenter effect (also known as experimenter bias) defintion?

Answer 57

When the expectations of the researcher affect the results of an experiment.

Question 58

Situational variables definitions?

Answer 58

Any environmental factor that may affect the dependent variable.

Question 59

Non-standardised instructions and procedures definition?

Answer 59

When directions and procedures differ across participants or experimental conditions.

Question 60

Demand characteristics definition?

Answer 60

Cues in an experiment that may signal to a participant the intention of the study and influence their behaviour.

Question 61

Counterbalancing definition?

Answer 61

A method to reduce order effects that involves ordering experimental conditions in a certain way.

Question 62

Single-blind procedure definition?

Answer 62

A procedure in which participants are unaware of the experimental group or condition they have been allocated to

Question 63

Double-blind procedure definition?

Answer 63

A procedure in which both participants and the experimenter do not know which conditions or groups participants are allocated to.

Question 64

Ethical concepts are?

Answer 64

- beneficience -integrity - respect - justice - non-malficience.

Question 65

Ethical guidelines are?

Answer 65

- confidentiality - informed consent - deception - debriefing - voluntary participation - withdrawal rights.