Features of Science Flashcards
What are the features of science?
- objectivity
- replicability
- falsifiability
- theory construction
- hypothesis testing
- empirical testing
- paradigm
- paradigm shift
define objectivity
The idea that research must be impartial and free from opinion from the researchers, therefore not containing bias
what is the opposite of objectivity?
Subjectivity
When is objective research produced?
when empirical methods are used
define replicability
The ability for research to be conducted multiple times to verify how reliable the results are
What should be done in order for a test to be repeated?
everything should be standardised
What does conducting an experiment enable a researcher to do?
to decide if the theory is correct or not
define falsifiability
Refers to whether something can be proven wrong
what is an example of falsifiability?
Freud’s triparte
it cannot be scientifically tested as we cannot see/measure it
(cannot prove its right or wrong)
who was the philosopher who argued falsifiability was a key scientific theory?
Carl Popper
define theory construction
the process of formulating and assembling components to make a theories
how is a theory constructed?
by gathering evidence through experiments to test the hypothesis
what is the importance of theory construction?
Allows researchers to accept/reject hypothesis, therefore accepting/rejecting the theory
define hypothesis
A testable prediction made when using empirical methods to test a theory
define hypothesis testing
Testing if the research supports a hypothesis
theories can be developed and modified
