Booklet 4 (second half) Flashcards
features of science, scientific report
Name the 6 features of science
Paradigm
Replicability
Objectivity
Falsification
Scientific method
Theory construction and hypothesis testing
Describe paradigms as a feature of science
Paradigms= an agreed upon set of theoretical assumptions about a subject and its method of enquiry
Pre-science- no paradigms, much debate around subject and its theoretical approach
Normal science- generally accepted paradigm
Scientific revolution- evidence against old paradigm replaced by a new one- paradigm shift
Psychology is a prescience as it lacks globally accepted theories- multiple explanations for everything
Describe replicability as a feature of science
If a method with standardised procedures is repeated, will the findings be similar
If we get the same results over and over again we have more confidence surrounding a theory
Psychology may be replicable as some things can be repeated eg lab experiments, questionaires
However other aspects arent replicable eg natural experiments, unstructured interviews
Describe objectivity as a feature of science
Researchers should remain value free/ unbiased in their investigations- not influenced by personal feelings or expectations
Sources of bias must be minimised, personal or subjective ideas eliminated
Psychology may be objective as quantitative data can be gathered, use of statistical testing/ analysis
However qualitative data eg gathered through open questions is subjective? open to interpretation
Describe falsifiability as a feature of science
Principle that a thoery could only be considered as scientific if it was possible to establish it as false
Eg the psychodynamic approach is an abstract concept that cannot be falsified
Reduces the credibility of psychology as a science
Describe theory construction and hypothesis testing as a feature of science
Scientific process is based on hypothetical deductive model propesed by Karl Popper (1935)
Suggests that theories should come first to generate expectations which can be tested and falsified through experiments
Describe scientific methods as a feature of science
A scientific method is assosciated with control
Controlled setting with little influence from bias or extraneous variables
IV isolated and manipulated while DV precisely measured to produce causal relationships
Psychology uses scientific methods as lab experiments are associated with high levels of control, however, natural experiments don’t
What is peer review?
Final stage of research before publishing
Research subjected to scrutiny of other experts before being approved for publication
Assesses the research to ensure only high quality research is published
What features must research have to be approved by peer review for publication?
Must make an important contribution to science
Be methodologically sound (valid, controlled etc)
Involves accurate data analysis
Have been conducted in an ethical manner
What does the process of peer review involve?
Recruiting an appropriate expert
They then read the unpublished paper looking for mistakes
Then approve, make recommendations or reject
What is the basic structure of a scientific report?
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Referencing
Describe the abstract of a scientific report
First section
150-200 words
Includes all major elements- aims, hypotheses, method, results, conclusions
Describe the introduction of a scientific report
Describes general area of research
Details relevant theories, concepts and studies
Should begin broadly and gradually become more specific until aims and hypotheses are presented
Describe the method section of a scientific report
Split into subsections:
-design eg independent groups and justification of choice
-sample - how many, demographic, sampling method, target population
-apparatus/materials
-procedure- includes everything said to participants-briefing, standardised instructions, debriefing
-ethics- explanation of how addressed in study
Describe the results section of a scientific report
Summary of key findings
Should include descriptive statistics and measures of central tendency
Also inferential statistics including statistical test, calculated and critical values, level of significance
Final outcome- which hypotheses were accepted/rejected
All raw data
Any qualitative methods of research- behavioural categories etc
Describe the discussion section of a scientific report
Summary of results in verbal rather than statistical form
Limitations of research and suggestions of how to improve in future
Consideration of wider implications of research- real world application etc
Describe the referencing section of a scientific report
Includes full details of any source material cited in report
Meta analysis
When a researcher collates many pieces of pre existing data from studies completed by other people in the past and comes to an overall conclusion
Empirical method
- ask a question
- form a theory
- make a hypothesis
- carry out a study
- adjust theory, using results as evidence
Impact of psychology on the economy
Study results can allow money to be invested in certain sectors or treatments eg expensive healthcare interventions may prevent people having to take time off work later saving money in the long run
Eg increased availability of CBT and SSRIs can help people recover from depression and return to work sooner
