Features of science Flashcards
key features of scientific research
-ability for researchers to remain objective e.g. using a labatory experiment as high level of control
-replicability
what methods include the issue of objectivity
-content analysis
-natural experiment, etc
whats an empirical method
-idea that knowledge is gained from direct experiences in an objective systematic and controlled manner to produce quantitative data
-theory needs to be empirically tested in order to be scientific
why is empirical method good
-reduces the opportunity for researchers to make unfounded claims about phenomena based on subjective opinions
replicability (key feature of science)
-ability to conduct research again and achieve consistent results (using standardised procedures)
what does research need to be to be considered scientific
-falsifiable (able to be proven false)
-can never be proven “true” so has to have a null hypothesis
example of approach that lacks falsifiability
-psychodynamic Oedipus complex- if a male refutes the idea he will be in denial
bottom up process of constructing a theory
-if a researcher starts to discover patterns or trends then a theory can be constructed
top down process of constructing a theory
-psychologist begins with a theory relating to topic of interest
-theory is narrowed down into a more specific hypothesis which can be tested empirically
what’s a paradigm
-a set of shared assumptions and methods within a particular discipline
what does kuhn say about paradigms in psychology that dont make it a science
-too much disagreement at its core between approaches, so more likely a pre-science
paradigm shift
-way in which a field of study moves forward through scientific revolution
-over time, more scientists contradict the pre-existing paradigm so shifts
