features of science✅

Question 1

what’s a paradigm?

who introduced this idea and what did they suggest?

Answer 1

a shared set of assumptions and agreed methods that state whether something is scientific or not

KUHN - suggested social sciences lack a universally accepted paradigm so it is seen as a ‘prescience’

Question 2

what is the paradigm for?

what happens when scientists don’t agree with the paradigm?

Answer 2

• set of norms that scientists should follow on how they should think, but not all agree with the paradigm
• paradigm shift occurs = when the paradigm is questioned, other people start to agree and contradict it, snow ball effect, leads to a new set of assumptions

Question 3

why cant psychology fully qualify as a science?

Answer 3

has too many internal conflicting approaches that all contradict each other

Question 4

THEORY CONSTRUCTION:

definition of a theory?

how does theory construction occur?

Answer 4

• set of principles that explain events or behaviours

- gathering evidence through direct observation

Question 5

FALSIFIBALITY:

definition?

who introduced this notion?

Answer 5

• principle that a theory cant be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being proven false
• popper

Question 6

HYPOTHESIS TESTING:

definiton?

give an example of a study - how can this be studied?

what is the link between hypothesis and the theory?

what does deduction mean?

Answer 6

• clear and precise predictions on the basis of the theory
• miller; suggested ppl will remember 7 digit postcodes more effectively then 14 digit mobile numbers → tested using systematic & objective methods to determine if it can be supported or refuted

⭐︎hypothesis support theory = theory strengthened
⭐︎hypothesis refutes theory = theory revisited

• deduction = depriving a new hypothesis from an existing theory

Question 7

REPLICABILTIY:

define it?

what can replicability determine?

what happens if a study is repeated over a number of times?

Answer 7

• if a scientific theory is to be trusted, the finding must be repeatable across a number of different contexts
• the reliability of a study method and the validity of a finding
• repeating studies over a number of diff. contexts and circumstances, makes visible the extent it can be generalised

Question 8

OBJECTIVITY:

what is a way to ensure objectivity is enforced when conducting research?

what are the most objective research method and why?

Answer 8

• keep a critical distance when conducting research so personal opinions cant discolour data and no researcher biased occurs
• lab studies since they have the greatest control

Question 9

EMPIRICAL METHOD:

definiton?

what are the 2 emp. methods to collect data?

what do empiricists such as Locke suggest about knowledge?

what is the only way a theory can be credited as scientific?

Answer 9

• An empirical method involves the use of objective, quantitative observation in a systematically controlled, replicable situation, in order to test or refine a theory.

1- experimental
2- observational

• knowledge it determined by experience and sensor perception
• if its been empirically tested and verified