Key ideas + vocab

The goal of a theoretical framework…

is to present and explain the theories and models that other researchers have developed.

Steps to creating a theoretical framework

• Identifying key concepts from the problem statement

• Evaluating and explaining relevant theories

• Showing how your research fits in

Standardisation

keeping everything the same for all participants so that the investigation is fair.

Cognition

the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experiences, and the senses

Intuition

a thing one knows or considers, likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning

Hindsight bias

the tendency, upon learning the outcome of an event, to overestimate one's ability to have foreseen the outcome

Random sample

a subset of statistical population in which each member has an equal probability of being chosen

Sampling bias

when some members of a population are systematically more likely to be selected in a sample than others

Scientific method

a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

Generalising

making a general or broad statement by inferring from specific cases

Correlation

a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things

Confounding variable

an unmeasured variable that influences both the supposed cause and effect.

Experimental group

the group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested

Control group

the group in an experiment that does not receive the variable being tested

Skewing results

causing results to seem higher or lower than they are

Placebo

an inactive substance or other intervention that looks the same as, and is given the same as, an active drug or trial being tested, but has no effect.

Double blind variable

a type of clinical resting in which neither the participants nor the researchers knows which treatment or intervention participants are receiving until the clinical trial is complete

Validity

refers to how well a test actually measure what is was created to measure (results are consistent)

Reliability

an examination of how consistent and stable the results of an assessment are (results satisfy objectives)

Cause and effect relationship

the direct relationship between an action or event and its consequence as a result

Construct

an idea or theory containing various conceptual elements

Statistical

relating to the collection, analysis, interpretation or explanation, and representation of data.

Case study

a form of secondary research that researches into the development of a particular person or group or situation over time. It aims to investigate a subject in depth to develop a new understanding of a research problem and contribute knowledge beyond what us already known from previous studies

Descriptive research

refers to the method that allows researchers to observe and describe behaviours and mental processes without manipulating the variables

Naturalistic observations

involves observing and recording the variables of interest in the natural environment without interference or manipulation

Longitudinal studies

follows individuals overtime, ranging from several weeks, months, years, or decades. Useful when studying developmental and lifespan issues.

Cross sectional studies

used to compare individuals of various ages at one point in time. Useful in developmental research and are often used as an alternative to longitudinal studies.

Extraneous variable

other variables that may affect the outcome of an experiment.

Demand characteristics

subtle hints that indicate what an experiment is hoping to find. This can sometimes cause participants to alter their behaviour which can affect the experiment's results

Intervening variables

factors that can affect the relationships between two other variables.

Confounding variables

variables that can affect the dependent variable, but experiments cannot control. These make it hard to determine if the change was caused by the independent variable or the confounding variables.

Experimental method

observation under controlled conditions. In this method, the investigator tries to study the cause and effect relationships regarding human behaviour by performing experiments

The hypothesis should:

1. Identify the research problem

2. Identify IV and DV

3. make a testable prediction