Features of science

Question 1

What is empirical method?

Answer 1

Scientific approaches that are based on the gathering of evidence through direct observation and experience

Question 2

What is objectivity?

Answer 2

All sources of personal bias are minimised to not distort or influence the research process

Question 3

What is a paradigm?

Answer 3

A set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline

Question 4

What is replicability?

Answer 4

The extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be repeated by other researchers

Question 5

What is hypothesis testing?

Answer 5

A key feature of a theory is that it should produce statements which can be tested

Question 6

What is a paradigm shift?

Answer 6

The result of a scientific revolution when there is a significant change in the dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline

Question 7

What is falsifiability?

Answer 7

The principle that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being proved false

Question 8

What is theory construction?

Answer 8

The process of developing an explanation for the causes of behaviour by systematically gathering evidence and then organising this into a coherent account