Key Science Skills

Definitions

Empirical evidence

information obtained

through direct and

systematic observation or

experimentation

Controlled experiment

a type of investigation

in which the causal

relationship between two

variables is tested in a

controlled environment

Independent variable (IV)

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

Dependent variable (DV)

the variable the researcher

measures in an experiment

for changes it may

experience due to the

effect of the independent

variable

Controlled variables

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

Controlled experiment

a type of investigation

in which the causal

relationship between

two variables is tested

in a controlled

environment

Case study

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

Correlational study

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

Fieldwork 

any research

involving observation and

interaction with people

and environments in real-

world settings, conducted

beyond the laboratory

Literature review

he 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

Modelling

refers to 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.

Simulation

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

system

Control group

the group of participants in an experiment who receive no

experimental treatment or intervention in order to serve as a baseline for comparison.

Experimental group

the group of participants in an experiment who are

exposed to a manipulated independent variable (i.e. a specific intervention or treatment).

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

an experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition.

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

an experimental design in which individuals are divided into

different groups and complete only one experimental condition.

Mixed design

an experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects

and between-subjects designs.

Direct observation 

A method of fieldwork in which a researcher watches and listens to the

participants of a study, with no direct intervention and involvement,

or manipulation of variables.

Qualitative interviews

Qualitative interviews involve a researcher asking questions to gather

in-depth information about a particular topic, theme, or idea.

Convenience sampling

any sampling technique

that involves selecting

readily available members

of the population, rather

than using a random or

systematic approach

Random sampling

any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every

member of the population has the same chance of being selected

Stratified sampling

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.

Extraneous variable

any variable that is not the

independent variable but

may cause an unwanted

effect on the dependent

variable

Confounding variable

a variable that has directly

and systematically

affected the dependent

variable, apart from the

independent variable

Order effects

the tendency for the order in which participants complete experimental

conditions to have an effect on their behaviour.

Placebo effect

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

Experimenter effect

when the expectations of

the researcher affect the

results of an experiment

Situational variables

any environmental factor that may affect the dependent variable.

Single-blind procedure

a procedure in which participants are unaware of the experimental

group or condition they have been allocated to

Double-blind procedure

a procedure in which both participants and the experimenter

do not know which conditions or groups participants are allocated to

Objective data 

 factual data that is observed and measured independently of personal

opinion.

Subjective data

data that is informed by personal opinion, perception, or

interpretation.

Accuracy 

how close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity being measured.

True value

the value, or range of values, that would be found if the quantity could be

measured perfectly. 

Precision

how closely a set of measurement values agree with each

other.

Systematic errors

errors in data that differ

from the true value by a

consistent amount

Random errors

 errors in

data that are unsystematic

and occur due to chance

Repeatability 

the extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the same

results when carried out under identical conditions within a short period of time

Reproducibility

 the extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the same

results when repeated under different conditions

Validity

the extent to which psychological tools and investigations truly support

their findings or conclusions.

Internal validity

the extent to which an investigation truly measures or investigates what it

claims to.

External validity

the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to similar individuals in different settings

Beneficence

the commitment to maximising benefits

and minimising the risks and harms

involved in taking a particular

position or course of action

Integrity

the commitment to

searching for knowledge and

understanding, and the honest

reporting of all sources of

information and results, whether

favourable or unfavourable, in

ways that permit scrutiny and

contribute to public knowledge and

understanding

Justice

 the moral obligation to ensure that there is fair

consideration of competing claims;

that there is no unfair burden on

a particular group from an action;

and that there is fair distribution

and access to the benefits of an

action

Non-maleficence

the principle of avoiding causing harm.

Respect 

the consideration

of the extent to which

living things have an

intrinsic value and/

or instrumental value;

Confidentiality

the privacy, protection

and security of a participant’s personal information

in terms of personal details and the anonymity

of individual results, including the removal of

identifying elements

Informed consent procedures

processes that ensure participants understand the nature and

purpose of the experiment, including potential risks

(both physical and psychological), before agreeing to

participate in the study

Debriefing

a procedure that ensures that, at

the end of the experiment, the participant leaves

understanding the experimental aim, results and

conclusions 

Voluntary participation 

a principle that

ensures there is no coercion or pressure put on the

participant to partake in an experiment, and they

freely choose to be involved 

Withdrawal rights

the right of participants to be able to discontinue their involvement in an

experiment at any time during, or after the conclusion

of, an experiment without penalty