Lesson 5 + 6 - Features of Science

Question 1

What is science?

Answer 1

Science is a systematic and controlled approach to creating knowledge, meaning that it is reliable.

Question 2

Where does the word ‘science’ come from?

Answer 2

The word ‘science’ comes from the Latin word for ‘Knowledge’.

Question 3

What is Psychology?

Answer 3

The scientific study of the mind and behaviour.

Question 4

What is objectivity?

Answer 4

Objectivity is when facts are dealt with in a way that is unaffected by beliefs, opinions, feelings and expectations.

Question 5

How do researchers ensure that research studies are objective?

Answer 5

A good researcher should keep a “critical distance” from the research they are conducted in order to not let their personal opinions or biases interfere or affect the outcome of the research in order to ensure high objectivity.

Question 6

Why is a benefit of objectivity?

Answer 6

A high level of objectivity increases the chance that results are accurate and can bee replicated.

Question 7

When is objectivity more likely to be achieved?

Answer 7

When using laboratory experiments or observations.

Question 8

What are Empirical Methods?

Answer 8

An empirical method involves the use of objective, quantitative observation in a systematically controlled, replicable situation, in order to test or refine a theory. For example, an experiment.

Question 9

Why are empirical methods important?

Answer 9

Empirical methods are important so that a theory or claim can be proved right or false by testing it THROUGH the use of objective, quantitative observation in a systematically controlled, replicable situation.

Question 10

What is replicability?

Answer 10

Replicability is the extent to which findings of research can be repeated in different contexts and circumstances and be consistent over time.

Question 11

Why is replicability important?

Answer 11

Replicability is important as it helps validate research findings which can be used to inform policies or theories in psychology.

Question 12

What 4 purposes does replicability also have?

Answer 12

1 guards against scientific fraud
2 researchers can see if research is a “one of fluke” cause by extraneous or confounding variables
3 if research findings can be repeated then findings are reliable
4 replicability can also indicate that research findings are valid

Question 13

When is replicability at its greatest?

Answer 13

In a laboratory experiment

Question 14

What is falsifiability?

Answer 14

Popper defined falsifiability as the notion that scientific theories can potentially be disproved by evidence where a hypothesis can be proved wrong. This occurs when contradictory evidence is presented or if other theories fail to support it.

Question 15

Why is falsifiability important?

Answer 15

Falsifiability is a key feature or science which adds to research’s credibility.

Question 16

What is a theory?

Answer 16

A theory is a collection of general principles that explain observations and facts. In other words, it is a framework / explanation for describing a phenomenon.

Question 17

What is theory construction?

Answer 17

Theory construction is the process by which a framework for explaining a phenomenon, a theory, is made.

Question 18

How are theories constructed?

Answer 18

Theories are constructed via hypothesis and re-testing which is a part of the scientific process. Theories are constructed based on the results of a range of work conducted by many different researchers (not just a single piece of research).

Question 19

Why is theory construction important?

Answer 19

Theory construction is important because it ensures that theories are testable and falsifiable which is ensured through hypothesis and re-testing.

Question 20

What is deductive reasoning?

Answer 20

Deductive reasoning involves having a theory first, and then devising hypothesis. Researchers then test this theory by using empirical methods such as experiments/observations. Once tested, conclusions are drawn from the data.

Question 21

What is the Hypothetico-deductive model?

Answer 21

Popper developed this model suggesting that theories/laws should come first and then a hypothesis should be generated and tested to see if the theory/law is correct.

Question 22

What are the 5 stages of deductive reasoning?

Answer 22

1 observation
2 propose a theory/law
3 create a testable hypothesis
4 conduct a study to test this hypothesis
5 draw conclusions from the test to see if the theory/law is correct

Question 23

What is inductive reasoning?

Answer 23

This is where a researcher observes instances of a natural phenomenon or behaviour which leads them to come up with a hypothesis. This hypothesis is then tested, and conclusions are drawn from the research. From the conclusions, a theory is generated.

Question 24

What are the 5 stages of inductive reasoning?

Answer 24

1 observation 
2 come up with a testable hypothesis
3 conduct a study to test the hypothesis 
4 draw conclusions 
5 generate and propose a theory

Question 25

What is hypothesis testing?

Answer 25

Hypothesis testing refers to how theories are developed and modified.

Question 26

Why is hypothesis testing important?

Answer 26

Hypothesis testing is important as it allows researchers to identify a good theory or develop one. A good theory should generate a testable hypothesis, and if research supports this hypothesis, then the theory can be proved correct, or, if research fails to support the hypothesis, this indicates too researchers that the theory needs to be modified in some way.

Question 27

What is a paradigm?

Answer 27

A paradigm is a shared set of assumptions and agreed methods that are found within scientific disciplines.

Question 28

What did Kuhn suggest?

Answer 28

Kuhn (1962) suggested that what distinguishes scientific and non-scientific disciplines is the presence of paradigms.

Question 30

What is a paradigm shift?

Answer 30

A paradigm shift is the result of when a scientific revolution occurs. This is when a significant change in the dominant unifying theory of a scientific discipline which causes a paradigm shift (the emergence of a new discipline).

Question 31

How does a paradigm shift occur?

Answer 31

One theory remains dominant within a scientific discipline. Some researchers may question an accepted paradigm where counter evidence and contradictory evidence may start to gain popularity and overthrow the accepted paradigm and replace it with a new one. This is a paradigm shift.

Question 32

What can a paradigm shift result in?

Answer 32

A paradigm shift can result in an established science making rapid progress, causing a scientific revolution.

Question 33

Why is Psychology considered a pre-science?

Answer 33

Because social sciences like Psychology lack a universal acceptance of paradigms.