features of a science

Question 1

what is the scientific process a means of ?

Answer 1

• a means of acquiring knowledge based on observable, measurable evidence

Question 2

what are the 3 parts of the scientific method ?

Answer 2

• observation and description of a phenomenon or a group phenomenon
• formulation of a hypothesis to explain the phenomenon
• peformance of experimental tests of the predictions

Question 3

what is the main feature of science ?

Answer 3

• its dependence on empirical methods of observation and investigation

Question 4

what does science involve ?

Answer 4

• making predictions
• test the prediction by scientific observation
• perform observation under controlled conditions
• ensures that theories are valid and falsified

Question 5

what is meant by falsifiability ?

Answer 5

• the principle that states that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it allows itself to be proven untrue

Question 6

what is meant by objectivity ?

Answer 6

• observations are made without bias
• all possible biases from the research are minimised so that they don’t minimise or distort the research process

Question 7

what must empirically observed phenomena must be to be considered scientific ?

Answer 7

• must be objective

Question 8

what is meant by the empirical method and what do researchers aim to use to achieve this ?

Answer 8

• researchers aim to use:
• standardised instructions
• operationalised definitions of observed variables
• pysically defined measurements of performance

Question 9

what are sciences that cannot be proven wrong known as ?

Answer 9

• pseudoscience

Question 10

what is meant by a theory ?

Answer 10

refers to a set of general principles and laws that could be used to explain scientific events or behaviours

Question 11

what is meant by theory construction ?

Answer 11

• takes place by gathering evidence from direct observation during investigations

Question 12

what is meant by hypothesis testing ?

Answer 12

• being able to make different hypotheses from a theory
  -then when the hypothesis is supported by evidence , the theory is strengthened

Question 13

what is meant by a paradigm?

Answer 13

• a set of shared ideas and assumptions within a scientific discipline

Question 14

what is meant by a paradigm shift ?

Answer 14

• revolutionary changes in scientific assumptions
• a significant change in the central assumptions within a scientific discipline, resulting from a scientific revolution

Question 15

what do paradigm shifts show ?

Answer 15

• progress within science

Question 16

what must there be for psychology (or any study) to be considered a science ?

Answer 16

• a paradigm
• a theory form which hypothesis are derived and tested
• empirical methods of investigation
• identify universal laws that explain behaviour