Research Methods

Question 1

Name 3 features of science

Answer 1

Replicability
Empirical method
Falsifiability

Question 2

What is replicability?

Answer 2

• In order to test in science research needs to be replicable
• If it is repeated with the same results we can trust the theory
• If it can be repeated across different contexts this improves the validity as findings can be generalised

Question 3

What is the empirical method?

Answer 3

• It should be replicable
• All variables should be operationalised
• Judgements should be fair and unbiased
• It should be objective (fact based) rather than subjective (opinion based)
• It aims to research in a reductionist and deterministic manner

Question 4

What is falsifiability?

Answer 4

• A good science should constantly be challenged and have potential to be falsified
• Psychologists try to avoid using ‘this proves’ and always include a null hypothesis for this reason