how science works Flashcards
10 nature and principle of scientific enquiry
- the study of cause-and-effect
- falsification
- replicability
- objectivity
- induction
- deduction
- hypothesis testing
- manipulation of variables
- control and standardisation
- quantifiable measurements
falsification
The ability, in principle, to prove a claim wrong
the study of cause-and-effect
Where a researcher can show that one variable is actually causing a change in another variable.
replicability
The ability to repeat a study and therefore test to see if its
findings are reliable (the use of controls and standardised
procedures make it more replicable)
objectivity
When a claim is a matter of fact, rather than opinion
induction
Empirical research is carried out and then a theory is developed to make sense of findings
(e.g. Piliavin et al collected data on helping behaviour in the New York
subway and then developed the arousal:cost-reward model to explain this)
deduction
A theory is developed and then empirical research is carried
out to see if the theory is correct (i.e. supported by evidence)
(e.g. Bandura developed Social Learning Theory and then conducted his ‘bobo doll’ studies to see if the evidence backed up his theory)
hypothesis testing
Based on a psychological theory, a prediction is made about
how participants would be expected to behave, which can be
tested through research (e.g. experiment, observation, etc.)
manipulation of variables
When an independent variable is changed (manipulated) to
see what effect this has on a dependent variable (how it affects behaviour).
control and standardisation
control is imposed on experiments to ensure that results are due
to the independent variable, rather than extraneous variables
The test conditions are kept the same for all participants
quantifiable measurements
The use of numerical data, which can be used to compare between conditions. This should be observable and objective.
