6- key features of a science

Question 1

define replicability

Answer 1

the extent to which the findings of a research can be repeated in different contexts or circumstances

Question 2

when are results replicable

Answer 2

• if research is carried out again in the future, and similar findings are found
• relies on findings being consistent over time

Question 3

what is the purpose of replicability

Answer 3

• helps validate research especially when sample sizes are small
• guards against scientific fraud
• researchers cans see if results were gained by a ‘on off fluke’ and caused by extraneous/confounding variables
• indicates if findings are valid

Question 4

when is replicability greatest and lowest

Answer 4

• greatest = lab experiments

- lowest = when experimenter has failed to manipulate IV properly (e.g. observations)

Question 5

define falsifiability

Answer 5

• the notion that scientific theories can potentially be disproved by evidence, it is the hallmark of science
• refers to proving a hypothesis wrong

Question 6

when are theories falsified

Answer 6

• other research has failed to support the theory or severely contradicts it
• researchers form theories that can be incorrect via experimental testing
• when a scientific principle has been successfully tested and repeated, it doesn’t mean it is right, just that it hasn’t been proven false yet
• ‘good sciences’ (e.g. bio, physics) have theories which are constantly challenged and not usually proven incorrect as they are strong
• pseudoscience has theories which can’t be falsified easily (e.g. Freud)

Question 7

what is theory construction

Answer 7

• theories constructed by hypothesis test sting and re-testing
• constructed based on results of a range of work
• theory must be testable and falsifiable (researchers must be able to test it and may even reject the theory because results have shown that it is false)

Question 8

what is deductive reasoning

Answer 8

1. propose a theory
2. develop a hypothesis
3. test the theory
4. draw conclusions

Question 9

what is the hypothetico-deductive model

Answer 9

theories/laws about the world should come first and then hypothesis should be generated and tested to see if the theory/law is correct.

Question 10

what is inductive reasoning

Answer 10

1. observe facts in the environment
2. develop a hypothesis
3. test the hypothesis
4. draw conclusions
5. devise a theory based on this information