Psychbio Scientific Method

Psychology

The scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes.

Biology

The scientific study of all living things.

Empirical Data

Data gathered using the scientific method that is scientifically sound.

Scientific method steps

1. Ask a question 2. Research the question 3. Form a hypothesis 4. Conduct the experiment 5. Analyze data and results 6. Communicate results 7. Reproduce findings.

Research question

Investigating the relationship between two variables.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated by the experimenter to measure its effects on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable used to observe or measure the effects of the independent variable.

Operationalising

Stating how the variable will be defined, manipulated, and measured in a study.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction of what you believe the results of your experiment will be.

Components of a hypothesis

The Independent Variable (IV), the Dependent Variable (DV), the population, and the predicted direction.

Convenience sampling

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

Random sampling

A sampling technique that ensures every member of the population has the same chance of being selected.

Primary data

Data collected first-hand by a researcher, such as through experimentation or surveys.

Secondary data

Data sourced from others' prior research, not collected directly by the current researcher.

Qualitative data?

Data expressed non-numerically, which can be converted into quantitative data.

Quantitative data?

Data expressed numerically, such as test scores or measurements.

Objective data?

Factual data observed and measured independently of personal opinion.

Subjective data

Data informed by personal opinion, perception, or interpretation.

Descriptive statistics

Statistics that cannot be used to make inferences about a research population.

Components of a graph

Border, labelled axes, introduction to graph, title, correct data, and explanation of what the graph shows.

Components of a table

A centred title, labelled columns and rows, explanation of what the table shows, and correct data.

Communicating results

Whether the hypothesis was supported, the impact of the DV, representativeness of the sample, and conclusions drawn.

Confounding variable

A variable other than the IV that affects the DV, making it hard to determine the cause of changes in the DV.

Generalisation

A decision about how widely the results of a study can be applied to the population.

Generalising results

The sample size and whether the sample is representative.

Drawing conclusions

Summarising what has been discovered throughout the experiment, considering confounding variables and sample characteristics.