Is Psychology a Science

Question 1

What are the 5 major features of science?

Answer 1

F - falsification 
O - objectivity
R - replicability
C - control 
E - empricism

Question 2

What is falsification?

Answer 2

Research should have a clear hypothesis and methods to ensure that other researchers can try to prove the results wrong.

Question 3

What is objectivity?

Answer 3

Observations and experiments should be unaffected by bias e.g. researcher bias.

Question 4

What is replicability?

Answer 4

It is important that research can be repeated and similar results obtained, this adds to the reliability of the study.

Question 5

What is control?

Answer 5

The control of variables.

Question 6

What is empiricism?

Answer 6

Information gained through direct observation or experiment - observed evidence.

Question 7

Why does Kuhn state that psychology cannot be a science?

Answer 7

There is no single paradigm.

Question 8

What sort of science may psychology be, and what is this?

Answer 8

A pseudoscience - one that lacks carefully controlled, replicable research and lacks one theory to explain the effects.

Question 9

What is peer review?

Answer 9

The assessment of research by others who are experts in the same field, usually done before research is published.

Question 10

Why is peer reviewing essential?

Answer 10

To prevent incorrect or faulty data from entering the public domain. It is a way of establishing the validity of scientific research.

Question 11

What is a summary of the process of peer review?

Answer 11

Research is submitted to peer review, and then a review reports on the quality of the research and then their views are considered by a peer review panel.

Question 12

What are 5 problems with peer reviewing?

Answer 12

1. Slow
2. Expensive
3. Subjective
4. Easily abused
5. Can’t detect fraud

Question 13

What 4 criticisms of certain features of peer review?

Answer 13

1. Unachievable ideal - not always possible to find an expert in that exact field to verify the research.
2. Anonymity - as reviews are anonymous, they could be biased.
3. Publication bias - positive results are more likely to be reviewed more favourably.
4. Preserving the status quo - accepting results that already have support.

Question 14

According to the UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, what are 3 problems with reviewing or that reviewing often fails to detect?

Answer 14

1. Fabrication - made up data.
2. Falsification - altered data.
3. Plagiarism - work copied from others.

Question 15

What are 3 types of biases that can cause issues in peer review?

Answer 15

1. Gender bias
2. Institution bias
3. Publication bias