features of science Flashcards
What is a paradigm?
a set of shared assumptions and beliefs in explaining phenomena - science subjects have this but social sciences like psychology lack this
What is a scientific revolution and what will it lead to?
when gradually more and more scholars question the current paradigm
it will lead to a paradigm shift where people accept a new paradigm
What are the two methods for constructing a theory?
induction and deduction
What is induction?
-propose theory at the end after drawing a conclusion
-refine and repeat
What is deduction?
-propose theory at the start after observing behaviour
-can amend theory at the end if necessary
When would you use deduction?
when you already have prior knowledge about the subject
What is falsifiability?
the principle that a theory cannot be considered unless it admits the possibility of being proved untrue (false)
How to we ensure falsifiability in psychological research?
we form a null hypothesis that needs to be falsified
What is replicability?
the same findings must be shown across a number of different contexts and circumstances
What does replicability show?
that the reliability of the research method can be tested (e.g. with standardised procedures)
What is the role of the researcher in a scientific research?
should not be influenced by opinions and biases to maintain the greatest level of control - should be OBJECTIVE
How should data be collected?
using an empirical method - data collection process based on direct sensory experiences which is objective, quantitative and replicable
-includes questionnaires and experiments
What are 5 features of science?
- paradigm
- theory construction and hypothesis testing
- falsifiability
- replicability
- objectivity and emperical method
