Key Science Skills

A comprehensive set of flashcards containing key psychology terms and their definitions based on the lecture notes.

Research Methods

A way of conducting an investigation to collect accurate and reliable information about mental processes and behaviour.

Theory

A proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions about cause and effect.

Model

A representation of a concept, process, or behaviour, often made to simplify or make something easier to understand.

Controlled Experiment

An experimental investigation to test the relationship between an independent, and a dependent variable, whilst controlling all other variables.

Variable

Something that can change in amount or type and is measurable.

Independent Variable

The variable that is systematically manipulated or changed by the researcher to measure its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is used to observe and measure the effects of the independent variable.

Controlled Variable

A variable that must be held constant to remove its potential effects on the dependent variable.

Extraneous Variable

Any variable other than the independent variable that can affect the dependent variable and the validity of results.

Confounding Variable

A variable other than the independent variable that has affected the results and provides an alternative explanation.

Sample

Participants selected for research that are part of a larger group.

Population

The larger group from which a sample is selected.

Scientific Investigation Methodology

Refers to techniques used to collect and analyse data in an investigation.

Scientific Method

The steps followed to conduct an investigation.

Sampling

The process of selecting participants for a study from the population of interest.

Random Sampling

When every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.

Stratified Sampling

When the population is divided into groups based on relevant characteristics, with participants selected from each group proportionally.

Experimental Group

The group exposed to the experimental condition containing the independent variable.

Control Group

The group exposed to the control condition where the independent variable is absent.

Random Allocation

A procedure used to assign participants to groups to ensure equal chance across conditions.

Between Subjects

Where each participant is randomly allocated to one condition and contributes one score for data analysis.

Within Subjects

Where each participant is in both the experimental and control groups.

Mixed Design

Combines features of both a between subjects and a within subjects design.

Case Studies

An investigation involving a particular activity, behaviour, event, or problem.

Correlational Studies

Observation and recording of events that have not been manipulated to understand relationships between variables.

Positive Correlation

When two variables change in the same direction.

Negative Correlation

When two variables change in opposite directions.

Zero Correlation

When there is no relationship between two variables.

Classification

The arrangement of phenomena into manageable sets.

Identification

A process of recognizing phenomena as belonging to specific classifications.

Literature Review

A collation and analysis of secondary data to answer a question or provide background information.

Modelling

Constructing physical or conceptual models to represent systems.

Fieldwork

Investigation involving observing and interacting with environments beyond the classroom.

Random Error

Errors due to chance variation in a measurement.

Systematic Errors

Errors produced consistently by some factor that favours one condition.

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the true value.

Precision

How closely a set of measurement values agree with each other.

Repeatability

Agreement between the results of successive measurements under the same conditions.

Reproducibility

Agreement between results of measurements conducted under changed conditions.

Participant-Related Variables

Characteristics of participants that may affect results.

Order Effects

Effects arising from the order participants complete experimental conditions.

Placebo Effects

Participants responding to an inactive treatment due to expectations.

Experimenter Effects

When the expectations of the researcher affect the results of an experiment.

Situational Variables

Environmental factors that may affect the dependent variable.

Demand Characteristics

Cues that signal the intention of a study and may influence participant behaviour.

Beneficence

The commitment to maximizing benefits and minimizing risks in research.

Non-Maleficence

The commitment to avoiding the causation of harm.

Integrity

The commitment to honest reporting of research findings.

Justice

The moral obligation to ensure fair consideration of competing claims.

Respect

Consideration of the intrinsic and instrumental value of living things.

Confidentiality

The protection and security of participants' personal information.

Debriefing

Ensuring participants understand the experimental aim and results.

Informed Consent Procedures

Ensuring participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment before participating.

Use of Deception in Research

Permitted only when necessary for the validity of the study.

Voluntary Participation

Participants freely choosing to partake in an experiment without coercion.

Withdrawal Rights

Participants can discontinue their involvement at any time without penalty.

Primary Data

Data collected first-hand by a researcher.

Secondary Data

Data sourced from others' prior research.

Objective Data

Factual data measured independently of personal opinion.

Subjective Data

Data informed by personal opinion or interpretation.

Descriptive Statistics

Statistics that summarize, organize, and describe data.

Validity

A measurement's accuracy in measuring what it claims to measure.

Internal Validity

The extent to which an investigation measures what it claims to.

External Validity

The extent to which results can be applied to similar individuals in different settings.