Key Science Skills

psychology

The scientific study of human thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

empirical evidence

Information that psychologists gain from direct observation and measurements. Another name for data.

Hypothesis

Testable prediction of the relationship between 2 or more events or characteristics.

independent variable

The condition that an experimenter systematically manipulates or changes in order to gauge its effect on another variable.

dependent variable

What is measured and observed in an experiment

control variable

An element which is constant/ unchanged throughout the experiment.

controlled experiement

A study that occurs under controlled conditions and investigates a cause and effect relationship between 2 or more variables.

case studies

An independent or detailed study of a particular person, activity, behaviour, or event. Generally, case studies a link to real world events or scenarios.

correlational studies

A non experimental study where researchers observe and measure the relationship between 2 or more variables without any active control or manipulation of them. Correlations do not prove cause and effect.

fieldwork

Research that involves observation and interaction with people and environments in real world settings conducted beyond the laboratory. No variables being controlled.

between subjects design

Participants are divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition.

within subjects design

Participants complete every experimental condition.

mixed design

Combines elements of within subjects and between subjects design. If there is multiple trials, it is mixed design.

population

The group of interest from which the sample is drawn

sample

A subset of the population used as participants in the research. Different selection criteria may be used to define the subset.

random sampling definition & advantages + limitations

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.
Advantages: free from bias
Disadvantages: it may not be representative of the population
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stratified sampling definition & advantages + disadvantages

Break the population into groups/strata, and select participants from each group in the same proportion they appear in the population.
advantage: more representative of the population
disadvantage: -strata can be difficult to define
-time consuming
-costly
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extraneous variable

Any variable that is not the independent variable but may cause an unwanted effect on the dependent variable. able to be controlled.

confounding variable

A variable that has directly and systematically affected the dependent variable apart from the independent variable. may be an extraneous variable that was not or could not be controlled. can only be found after the experiment.

random errors

Unsystematic and occur due to chance. reduces the precision of a measurement.

systematic errors

They differ from the true value by a consistent amount. Repeating measurements will not fix it. It reduces the accuracy of a measurement

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

repeatability

The extent to which successive measurement or studies produce the same results when carried out under identical conditions within a short period of time

reproducability

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 a study can be applied to the wider population from which the sample was taken from

ethical concepts

The broad moral guiding principles that people should consider when conducting research practising psychology or when analysing a psychological issue/debate.

beneficence

Commitment to maximising benefits in minimising the risks and harm 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 value and instrumental value , giving due regard to the welfare , liberty, and autonomy, beliefs, perceptions, customs, and cultural heritage of both the individual in the collective. Consideration of the capacity of living things to make their own decisions, ensuring that they are empowered, where possible, and protected as necessary.

ethical guidelines

Refer to the rights Participants are entitled to in research and that researchers must ensure provided.

confidentiality

The privacy, protection and security of a participant's personal information in terms of personal details and the autonomy of individual results including the removal of identifying elements.

informed consent procedures

Processors 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 intentionally misleading participants about the true nature of a study/procedure.

debreifing

A procedure that ensures that at the end of the experiment, the participant leaves understanding the experimental aims, results, and conclusion.

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.

withdrawl 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.