Features of Science

Question 1

The empirical method

Answer 1

• science uses empirical methods to gather observable data which is empirical and based on direct sensory experience, e.g. measuring saliva levels on Pavlov dogs (clear observable data)
• experimental and observational methods - examples of empirical methods
• this data allows for objectivity because observable data is less open to biased interpretation
• allows for replication of methods.

Question 2

Objectivity

Answer 2

• scientists must approach their investigations in an unbiased and objective way - not allowing their personal opinions and biases to affect the way they collect or interpret their data about ppt beh.
• improving objectivity: use quantative or empirical data, or doing double blind trials to help reduce researchers or participant bias, and operationalise variables, also training researchers to use the same tone etc.

Question 3

Replicability

Answer 3

• to trust a scientific theory, findings from the theory must be shown to be consistent (reliable) in different circumstances
• replication of findings -> greater confidence in findings + important in establishing validity of findings
• if replicable, helps us expand the generalisability, e.g. population validity, eco-validity
• to allow us to test if findings are reliable, studies need to use standardised methods, operationalised variables, controlled environment

Question 4

Falsifiability

Answer 4

• Popper argues that scientific theories should allow for hypothesis testing and the possibility of being proven false
• to be proven wrong, the theory needs to be based on measurable concepts and testable hypotheses. if not measurable / testable then the theory is considered a pseudoscience
• the theories which survive the most attempts to be proven wrong are the strongest, but not necessarily true. there must always be a possibility that the theory is false (null hypothesis)
• the theories proven wrong are either abandoned or refined to be tested further

Question 5

Theory construction

Answer 5

• Theory is a set of general laws or principles that have the ability to explain particular behaviour and/or evidence
• theory construction + testing theories:
  1. observe a phenomenon in the wider world
  2. create a theory based on what has been observed/ past research
  3. use the theory to make predictions

Question 6

Hypothesis testing:

Answer 6

• a scientific theory will make precise predictions, this allows for hypothesis testing. every study has a null and alternate hypothesis. the alternate can either be directional/ non-directional
• experimental studies vs correlational study. correlation is between two co-variables and experimental is between the IV and DV
• a good hypothesis has a clearly operationalised DV and IV and should be very clear what the conditions are
• based on the results of the scientific investigation, can either refute/support the hypothesis and thus strengthens/weaknes the theory

Question 7

Paradigms and paradigm shift

Answer 7

• paradigm: a set of shared assumptions/ beliefs about how behaviour/thought is studied/ explained and is accepted by the majority of scientists in that particular field of study, e.g. behaviourism
• a paradigm shift is a term used to describe a change in paradigm and shared set of assumptions from one wat of thinking to another
• at more evidence accumulates over time to suggest the current paradigm is either invalid or inadequate, scientists in a field collectively change their way of thinking (kuhn)
• A paradigm is a result of scientific revolution