chapter 1 - scientific investigations, planning, ethics and safety

investigation aim

the purpose of the study

investigation question

the question that is to be solved by the study

hypothesis + what does it require

an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proven

• iv and dv listed

• strength/direction

• comparison between experimental and control group

controlled investigation

an experimental investigation of the relationship between one or more independent variables and a dependent, in which all other variables are controlled
strenghts’

- controlled experiements can identify a cause-and-effect relationship between an IV and a DV

limitations

- controlled experiments require strictly controlled conditions, which may be difficult to maintain, so results may be influenced by extraneous variables

extraneous variable

a variable other than the independent variable that may have an unwanted effect on the dependent variable and results of an investigation

controlled variable

a variable that is held constant to ensure that the only influence on the dependent is the independent variable

confounding variables

an unwanted variable that has affected the results of an investigations

population

the wider group of people that a study is investigating

sample

the smaller group of people selected from the population who will be participants in the investigation

sampling techniques

different procedures for selecting participants from the population

random sampling + one limitations and one strength

selecting participants from the population in a way that means each number of the population has an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study

strengths
- a large enough random sample is likely to be representative of the population, improving external validity

limitations

- small random samples may not be, representative of the population, reducing the external validity

stratified sampling + one limitations and one strength

first dividing the population into subgroups and then randomly selecting participants from each subgroup in the proportion that they appear in the population

strengths

- a large enough stratifed sample is likely to be representative of the population, improving external validity

limitations

- it may be difficult, impossible or unethical to obtain names of all members of the population

investigation methodology

the particular type of research study

allocation

dividing a sample into groups in an investigation

random allocation

dividing a sample into groups in such a way that each participant has an equal chance of being placed into the experimental group or the control group

experimental group

the group that is exposed to the independent variable and receives the experimental treatment

control group

the group that forms a baseline level to compare the experimental group with

investigation design

a framework that determines how participants experience the experimental and control conditions

between subject design

an investigation design in which participants are randomly allocated to either the control or the experimental condition

strengths

- most time efficient because both groups can be tested at the same time and no pre testing is requirred

llimitations

- more participants are needed in a between subject design than a within

within subject design

an investigation design in which all participants in the sample are involved in both the experimental and control conditions

strengths

- in a within subjects design there is no extraneous variable of participant variables groups, improving validity

Limitations

- less control over participant knowledge of the study. the extraneous variable of prior participant in the first condition may influence their behaviour while completing the second condition

mixed design

an investigation design that combines elements of a between subject design and a within subject design

strengths

- differences in participant variables between groups are controlled in the within subjects design element

limitations

- there is a higher rate of participant withdrawal from the study than using a between subjects design alone, which can be detrimental to the internal validity

case study

a type of investigation of a particular activity, behaviour, event or problem that contains a real hypothetical situation and includes real world complexities

strength

- case studies are useful when a limited number of participants are available

limitations

- one person or a small group of people cannot be representative of a population, so results from a case study cannot be generalised to the population and there is a low external validity

classification and identification

a type of investigation that involves arranging phenomena, objects or events into manageable sets, and recognising phenomena as belonging to a particular set or part of a new set or unique set

strengths

- classification can allow for a narrowed focus of research

limitations

- labelling through identification can lead to stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination

correlational study

a type of investigation that involves planned observation and recording of events and behaviours that have not been manipulated or controlled to understand the relationships or associations existing between variables to identify which factors may be greater, importance and to make predictions

strength

- the direction and strengths of a relationship between variables can be determined using a correlational study

limitations

- correlational does not equal or imply causation so even if a strong relationship is determined you cannot assume one variable causes a change in the other

filedwork

a type of investigation that involves collecting information through observing and interacting with a selected environment

strengths

- information on sensitive topics can be obtained using fieldwork

limatations

- observed behaviour is subjective and open to interpretation and bias by the researcher

literature review

a type of investigation that involves collating and analysing secondary data findings viewpoints

strengths

- a literature review can determine what is already known and whether there is a solid foundation of knowledge based on multiple sources

limitations

- key studies may be missed if the search criteria or focus of a review is too narrow resulting in a review that lacks depth

modelling and simulation

modelling : a type of investigation in which a physical or conceptual model is constructed and/or manipulated to simulate a system

simulation: a type of investigation that uses a model to replicate and study the behaviour of a system

strengths

- modelling can allow unobservable events to be visualised

limitations

- a large amount of valid source data may be needed in the creation of a model

product, process and system development

a type of investigation in which a product, a process or a systemis designed to meet a human need

ethical concepts

general ethical considerations used to analyse the ethical and moral aspects of conduct surrounding psychological issues and psychological investigations

integrity

an ethical concept involving the commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding and the honest reporting of all sources of information and results

justice

an ethical concept involving fair consideration of competing claims, no unfair burden on a particular group and fair acess to benefits of an action

beneficence

an ethical concept involving the commitment to maximising benefits and minimising risks and harms

non maleficence

an ethical concept involving the avoidance of causing harm

respect

an ethical concept involving the considerations of the value of living things giving due regard, and consideration of the capacity of living things to make their own decisions

ethical guidelines

guidelines that ensure the protection and welfare of all participants in research

confidentiality

an ethical guideline that ensures participants remain anonymous, and their personal information is kept private, protected and secure throughout the study

voluntary participation

an ethical guideline ensuring that each participant freely agrees to participant in a study with no pressure or coercion

informed consent procedures

an ethical guideline conducted before a study begins participants agree to participate after they have received all the details of the study, including the purposes procedures and potential risks

withdrawal rights

an ethical guideline that ensures the participants are free to discontinue their involvement in a study at any point during or after the conclusion of the study, without receiving any penalty

deception in research

an ethical

guideline

involving

withholding the

true nature of

the study from

participants,

when their

knowledge of

the true purpose

may affect their

behaviour and

subsequent

validity of the

investigation

debriefing

an ethical guideline

involving provision

of information to

participants at the

end of the study,

including the

true aims, results

and conclusions,

and answering

any questions,

clarifying

misunderstandings

or deception, and

providing support

to ensure no

lasting harm

occupational health and safety OHS

issues of health, safety and welfare that must be protected in a workplace

safety data sheet

a document that provides all the important information about a substance such as its ingredients, precautionary statements and first aid measures