psychology- aims, variables, hypotheses and predictions

what are models?

Simplified representation or framework used to describe and explain a phenomenon.

what are theories?

a broader and more comprehensive explanation that integrates various concepts and relationships to understand a phenomenon.

what is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction about the outcome of an investigation.

what is an aim?

A statement outlining the purpose of an investigation.

what is an independent variable?

the variable for which quantities are manipulated by the researcher, and the variable that is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.

what is a dependent variable?

the variable the researcher measures in an experiment for changes it may experience are to the effect of the independent variable.

what is a controlled variable?

variables other than the IV that a researcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation, to ensure that changes in the DV are solely changes to the IV.

what is an experimental group?

group impacted by IV.

What is a control group?

group that is not impacted by IV.

what are the components of a research hypothesis?

C- Comparison between the different groups (e.g. experimental group Iv compared to the control group no IV).

D- Directional effect (increases, decreases, slower, faster, higher, lower, more, etc).

D- DV, how variables will be measured.

I- IV, how variables are manipulated.

P- Population.

what is the population?

group of interest in the study.

what is the sample?

group taken from the population to participate in the study.

what is a case study?

in-depth investigation of an individual, group or phenomenon that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes real life complexities.

what is a controlled experiment?

investigation in which the causal relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment.

what is a correlation study?

-non-experimental study.

-researchers observe and measure the relationship between two (or more) variables without any active control of them.

what is a within-subjects design?

the same participants are both in the experimental and control group.

what are the strengths of a within-subjects design?

Fewer participants required.

what are the weaknesses of a within-subjects design?

Order effects may occur.

what is a between-subjects design?

participants are randomly allocated to two or more groups (control group and one or more experimental groups).

what are the strengths of a between-subjects design?

efficient and cost effective (as not matching), no order effects (so don’t need to repeat).

what are the weaknesses of between-subjects design?

participant differences can affect the results (especially in a small sample).

what is classification?

involves organising phenomena into groups or categories.

e.g. grouping symptoms into mental disorders or emotions like disgust for research purposes.

what is identification?

recognising and assigning observed phenomena to these categories.

e.g. diagnosing a mental disorder based on symptoms or identifying emotions like disgust in a study.

what is field work?

any research involving observation and interaction with people, environments in real work settings conducted beyond the lab.

what is a literature review?

process of collating + analysing secondary data related to people’s scientific findings to answer a question/provide background info to explain observed events/preparation for an investigation to generate primary data.

what is modelling?

the construction and/or manipulation of either a physical model, or a conceptual model that represents a system involving concepts that help people know, understand or simulate the system.

what is 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.

what is simulation?

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

(Types of fieldwork) what is direct observation?

research matches and listens to the participants of a study, with no direct intervention and involvement or manipulation of variables.

what are qualitative interviews?

involve a researcher asking questions to gather information about a particular topic, theme or idea. Can have open ended questions or close ended and can be structured.

what are questionnaires?

a set of questions or prompts given to participants to answer. Can be open-ended or closed. The answers of respondents are then analysed by a researcher.

what are focus groups?

qualitative research method involving a researcher conducting a discussion with a small group of people on a specific topic. Groups are formed on the basis of some shared characteristics relevant to the discussion.

what are yarning circles?

in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, a yarning circle is a traditional approach to group discussion which involves talking, exchanging ideas, reflection and deep considered listening without judgement.

(sampling techniques) what is random sampling?

every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to be in the sample.

what are the strengths of random sampling?

more likely to be representative of the population (large samples).

what are the weaknesses of random sampling?

time-consuming and difficult to identify every member of the population.

what is stratified sampling?

divide population into groups (strata) based on relevant characteristics and then take your sample in the same proportions from each group of the population.

what are the strengths of stratified sampling?

more likely that the sample is representative of the population.

what are the weaknesses of stratified sampling?

strata (groups) can be time-consuming and expensive.

(ethical concepts) what is benefience?

commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms involved in taking a particular position or course of action.

what is integrity?

commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding, and the honest reporting of all sources of info/results regardless of whether it is favourable or not. And, in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public knowledge and understanding.

what is 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.

what is non-malefience?

the principle of avoiding causing harm. If there is some degree of harm involved, the concept of non-maleficence implied that the harm resulting from any position or course of action should not be disproportionate to any benefits from it.

what is respect?

the consideration of the extent to which living things have an intrinsic value and/or instrumental value; giving due regard to the welfare, liberty and autonomy, etc of both the individual and collective; consideration of the capacity of living things to make their own decisions; and when living things have diminished capacity to make their own decisions, ensuring that they are empowered when possible and protected as necessary.

(ethical guidelines) what is confidentiality?

refers to 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.

what are informed consent procedures?

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

what is use of deception?

the act of intentionally misleading participants about the true nature of a study or procedure. Deception is only permissible when the participants knowledge of the true purpose of the experiment may affect their behaviour while participating in the study, and the subsequent validity of the experiment. It should only be used if necessary.

what is debriefing?

a procedure that ensures that, at the end of the experiment, the participant leaves understanding the experimental aim, results and conclusions. Debriefing must be conducted at the end of every study.

what is voluntary participation?

a principle that ensures that there is no coercion or pressure put on the participant to partake in an experiment, and they freely chose to be involved.

what are withdrawal rights?

refer to 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.

what is a mixed design?

an experimental design which combines elements of within subjects and between. This allows experimenters to note differences that occurs within each experimental group overtime and differences across experimental groups.

what are the strengths of a mixed design?

experimental conditions comparison to baseline, result are extensively compared across individuals and groups.

what are the weaknesses of a mixed design?

costly and timely to plan, conduct then analyse results, demanding on researches to know the different elements of the research.