Key science skills

Psychology

The study of human mental states and behaviour

Empirical evidence

information obtained through direct and systematic observation or experimentation

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher, and is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that the researcher measures in an experiment for any changes it may experience due to the effect of the IV

Controlled Variables

Variables other than the IV that a researcher holds constant in an experiment, to ensure that changes in the DV are solely due to changes in the IV

Extraneous variable

Any variable that is not the IV but may cause an unwanted effect on the DV

Confounding variable

A variable that has directly and systematically affected the DV, apart from the IV

Controlled experiment

A type of investigation in which the casual relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment - specifically the effect of the IV on the DV

Case study

An in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or particular phenomenon 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

Classification

the arrangement of phenomena, objects, or events into manageable sets

identification

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

Fieldwork

Any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory (direct observation, qualitative interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, yarning circles)

Literature review

The collation and analysis of 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

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

Product, process, or system development

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

Simulation

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

Experimental group

The group of participants in an experiment who are exposed to a manipulated IV

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

Within-subjects design

An experimental design in which participants complete every experimental condition (all participants complete control group and experimental group)

Between-subjects design

An experimental design in which individuals are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition (one group completes control group and another group completes experimental group)

Mixed design

An experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects design (different groups complete different experimental groups and the appropriate controlled group)

Research population

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

Sample

A subset of the research population who participate in a study

Generalisable

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

Convenience sampling

A sampling technique that involves selecting readily available members of the population

Random sampling

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

Stratified sampling

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

Placebo effect

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

Primary data

Data that is collected first-hand by a researcher

Secondary data

Data sourced from others' prior research

Quantitative data

Data that is expressed numerically

Qualitative data

Data that is expressed non-numerically

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

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 for the rights and feelings of other people as intrinsic beings

Confidentiality

The privacy, protection and security of a participant's personal information in terms of personal details and the anonymity of individual results

Informed consent procedures

Processes that ensure participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment, including potential risks, before agreeing to participate in the study

Deception

The act of misleading participants about the true nature of a study or procedure

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 and experiment without any penalty