Features of science

Question 1

What are the 8 features of science?

Answer 1

1- Theory construction
2- Falsifiability
3- Hypothesis testing
4- Empirical methods
5- Objectivity
6- Replicability
7- Paradigm
8- Paradigm shift

Question 2

What is theory construction?

Answer 2

• Theory= general laws/principles that explain particular events/behaviour
• Helps us organise facts and provides a list of general principles about observable behaviours
• Occurs through direct observatiopn
• Proposes simple/economical principles that reflect reality
• Hypotheses can be made based on a theory

Question 3

What is falsifiability?

Answer 3

• It should always be possible to show that a theory is incorrect/false
• Testable hypothesis shown to be wrong
• Theories/hypotheses must be falsifiable to be scientific
• Popper- believed theories should be falsifiable and subject attempts at refutation. Drew line between good science (falsifiable theories) and pseudoscience (cannot)

Question 4

What is hypothesis testing?

Answer 4

• Theories can be scientifically testing and should generate a number of possible hypotheses
• Tested using systematic and objective methods, which determine whether it will be supported or refuted
• Hypothesis testing= predict what happens in a study
• Lab experiment- manipulate IV to see the effect on DV- establish cause and effect
• Hypothesis= falsifiable

Question 5

What are empirical methods?

Answer 5

-Scientific approaches based on the gathering of evidence through direct, sensory observation/ experience
- E.g: lab experiment (c+e established)
- Locke- knowledge determioned by experience and sensory perception
- A theory cannot be scientific until it has been empirically tested and verified

Question 6

What is objectivity?

Answer 6

• Findings are factual and unaffected by the researcher’s beliefs, feelings or expectations
• Conditions should be highly controlled (e.g: lab experiment)
• Use of: standardised instructions, double-blind trial, random sampling/ allocation, quantitative methods

Question 7

What is replicability?

Answer 7

• Refers to a study’s findings being reproduced by other researchers
• Findings are repeatable across a range of contexts/circumstances
• Ensures generalisability which improves a study’s validity
• Provide confidence in findings- less likely to have occured due to chance

Question 8

What is a paradigm?

Answer 8

• Kuhn- a shared set of assumptions about the subject matter of a discipline and the methods appropriate to its study
• A set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline
• Psychology lacks a universally accepted paradigm
• Scientific disciplines= paradigm

Question 9

What are paradigm shifts?

Answer 9

• The result of a scientific revolution when there is a significant change in the dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline
• Occurs when scientific members change from one set of assumptions to another due to contradictory evidence
• ‘Scientific revolution’