Features of science Flashcards
What is objectivity?
When all sources of personal bias are minimised so as to not distort or influence the research process
What is the empirical method?
Scientific approaches that are based on the gathering of evidence through direct observation and experience.
What is replicability?
The extent to which scientific procedures and results can be repeated by other researchers.
What is falsifiability?
The principle that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being proved untrue.
What is a theory?
A framework / explanation for describing a phenomenon. It may be based on observations about the world or on empirical data derived from hypothesis testing.
What is theory construction?
The creation of a framework or explanation for describing a phenomenon on the basis of direct observation or empirical data.
What is a paradigm?
A set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline.
What is a paradigm shift?
The result of a scientific revolution in that a significant change in the dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline occurs.
What is hypothesis testing?
sentence 3 adjectives
When it is possible to make clear, precise and testable predictions on the basis of a theory.
Why is objectivity important (3 points)?
- Without objectivity, researchers can interpret variables differently as they are not operationalised.
- Extraneous variables may affect the results due to variables not being controlled or operationalised.
- Researchers may also show researcher bias which compromises the data that they collect or the behaviour of the participants that they are studying.
Why is theory construction important (3 points)?
- enables predictions to be made which can create hypotheses and be tested empirically.
- The data obtained from using empirical methods can be used to support / reject / refine the original theory.
- This knowledge allows theory construction and testing to progress through the scientific cycle of enquiry.
Why is hypothesis testing important (4 points)?
- Theories are modified and refined through the process of hypothesis testing.
- A hypothesis can be tested using empirical methods to collect data.
- If a scientist fails to find support for a theory, then the theory requires modification.
- This knowledge allows theory construction and testing to progress through the scientific cycle of enquiry
Why is the empirical method important (2 points)?
- Without the empirical method, theories created cannot be considered scientific and so are of limited use for theory construction. This then impacts hypothesis testing too.
- If the empirical method is not used, researchers’ personal opinions and beliefs may also impact the results, leading to a lack of objectivity.
Why is replicability important?
variables
If the research is not repeatable, it may imply flaws in the design e.g. a lack of control of variables (including possible extraneous variables); variables may not be operationalised and so researchers can interpret them differently (lack of objectivity); researchers may show researcher bias (lack of objectivity).
Why is falsifiability important?
In any study, we are trying to prove a hypothesis wrong. This means that falsifiability affects hypotheses that we test empirically and use to refine theories.
