How Science Works

Question 1

Define cause and effect relationships

Answer 1

Scientific research aims to identify causes and effects between specific variables - we should carry out experiments to find the effect of an Independent variable on a Dependent variable in as controlled a manner as possible

Question 2

Define induction and deductive reasoning

Answer 2

We use these to come to conclusions about peoples behaviour

Deductive - when we have two statements/ knowledge that are definitely true, we can draw a logical conclusion about something else that is true

Inductive - even when we have certain knowledge, we can only draw probable conclusions about things that might be true

Question 3

Define falsification

Answer 3

The only thing we can be sure of is when a theory is false…we can never actually be sure its true. So a scientific theory must be falsifiable.

A hypothesis must be able to be proven wrong

Question 4

Define objectivity

Answer 4

This means when measurements or judgments are made based on facts rather than personal opinion or bias. (Opposite of subjectivity, when measurements or judgements are made based on personal opinion or bias - different people can have different views of the same behaviour)

Question 5

Define replicability

Answer 5

If a study can be repeated in exactly the same way, this means the method is more scientific and it is replicable