Features of Science

Question 1

7 Features of science

Answer 1

Objectivity
The Empirical Method
Replicability 
Falsifiability
Theory Construction 
Hypothesis Testing
Paradigms

Question 2

Objectivity

Answer 2

• Researcher approaches data collection and data analysis free from bias.
  > Does not let their expectations, personal beliefs, preferences or interests cloud the way that they are doing things.
• Objectivity can be achieved in the sciences through the use of experimental techniques and by only recording observable behaviour
• Popper (1972) argued that objectivity was impossible in any science
  > People have always got some idea of what they’re looking for, and this might cloud their judgement

Question 3

The Empirical Method

Answer 3

• Refer to the fact that in science theories must be based on evidence
• Information that has been taken in through the senses
• Theories are only considered as valid if there is research to back them up.

Question 4

Replicability

Answer 4

• Ability to repeat a study

- Ensures that the original results weren’t a one off

Question 5

Falsifiability

Answer 5

• Able to be proven right or wrong.
  > eg, Freud used the concept of an unconscious mind to explain human behaviour. The key feature of the unconscious mind is that we don’t know what’s in it
  > Never prove that the contents of our unconscious motivate our behaviour

Question 6

Theory Construction

Answer 6

• A theory is a set of ideas that is constructed and modified based on empirical evidence
• Theories are not fact

Question 7

Hypothesis Testing

Answer 7

• Hypothesis are testable predictions based on theories
• Often impossible to test a whole theory within one study and so researchers usually test a part at a time.
• Hypotheses are tested by using empirical methods and then either accepted or rejected at the end of the process

Question 8

Paradigms

Answer 8

• A paradigm is a set way of understanding a given behaviour.
• Unlike in other sciences psychology has more than one paradigm.
  > The different approaches all have differing ideas as to what causes behaviour
• Occasionally, a paradigm shift occurs.
  > Existing paradigm is rejected and new one adopted