02 Scientific Method

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

The factor that is DELIBERATELY MANIPULATED by the experimenter, to assess its effect on the dependent variable.

DEPENDENT VARIABLE

The factor that is MEASURED to assess the effect of the IV on the DV.

CONTROLLED VARIABLES

Factors KEPT CONSTANT or MONITORED throughout an experiment.

UNCONTROLLED VARIABLES

Factors that are NOT KEPT CONSTANT nor MONITORED throughout the experiment.

EXPERIMENTAL GROUP

Consists of subjects or samples, that ARE EXPOSED to the IV, to observe and analyse the effects on the DV.

CONTROL GROUP

Subjects or samples that AREN'T EXPOSED to the IV. It serves as a BASELINE and STANDARD FOR COMPARISON to the effects of the IV on the DV.

NEGATIVE CONTROL

Treatment that produces NO RESPONSE, and does not impact the DV.

POSITIVE CONTROL

Treatment that is EXPECTED to produce a known and MEASURABLE RESPONSE.

AIM

The statement that defines the OBJECTIVE or PURPOSE of an experiment.

HYPOTHESIS

A testable statement that describes how experimenters EXPECT the DV to change as the IV impacts it.

QUALITATIVE DATA

Data that is NON-NUMERICAL and descriptive.

QUANTITATIVE DATA

Data that is NUMERICAL. It can be counted, measured or expressed in numerical values.

CONTINUOUS DATA

Data that is MEASURED, and can take on ANY VALUE within a specific range.

DISCRETE DATA

Data that is COUNTED, and can only take SPECIFIC VALUES, specifically only whole numbers.

CAUSATION

the direct relationship where one event (the cause) produces or influences another event (the effect

CORRELATION

shows the strength and direction of a relationship between two or more variables, indicating they tend to change together.

ACCURACY

Refers to how close the data values are to the TRUE VALUE.

PRECISION

Refers to how close the data values are to EACH OTHER.

VALIDITY

Refers to if the experiment actually measures what it is SUPPOSED TO MEASURE.

RELIABILITY

Refers to the CONSISTENCY AND STABILITY of the measurements.

REPEATABILITY

The ability of the experiments results to be repeated by the SAME researcher or research team.

REPRODUCIBILITY

The ability of the experiments results to be INDEPENDENTLY REPEATED by a DIFFERENT researcher.

PERSONAL HUMAN ERRORS

Mistakes made by INDIVIDUALS conducting the experiment.

SYSTEMATIC ERRORS

CONSISTENT and PREDICTABLE errors that can cause readings to DIFFER FROM THE TRUE VALUE.

RANDOM ERRORS

UNPREDICTABLE variations or FLUCTUATIONS that are usually BEYOND the experimenters control.

EXPERIMENTAL LIMITATIONS

CONSTRAINTS that RESTRICT the ability of an experiment to fully answer its research question.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Ensuring the SAFETY of individuals, WELLBEING and PREVENTING potential hazards.