KEY SCIENCE SKILLS

Steps in psychological research

1. identify research problem

2. formulate hypothesis

3. design the method

4. collect the data

5. analyse the data

6. interpret the data

7. report the research findings

Research hypothesis

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

Violent television

IV of 'Watching violent television will lead to an increase in aggressive behaviour in young children'

aggressive behaviour

DV of 'Watching violent television will lead to an increase in aggressive behaviour in young children'

Hypothesis structure

It was hypothesised that those who have (IV as experienced by experimental group) will have (prediction (more than OR less than)) on (DV) than those who have (IV as experienced by control group.)

Experiment

Testing whether one variable influences or causes a change to another variable under strictly controlled conditions

Independent variable

Manipulated or changed by the researcher to measure its effect on the DV

Dependent variable

Used to observe and measure the effects of the IV

Controlled variables

Variables that a researcher holds constant to ensure changes in DV are solely due to changes in IV

Extraneous variables

Other variables in an experiment that may cause change in the DV (Excluding IV)

Extraneous variables

Affects the validity of results in an unwanted way

Confounding variable

Variable that causes an unwanted effect on the DV making it impossible to determine which (IV or CV) produced the predicted change in the DV

Extraneous

Has potential to influence/affect the DV that can bias results

Confounding

Has an unwanted effect on the DV making the results biased/unclear of what has effected the DV