RESEARCH METHODS- Features of science Flashcards
Features of science.
Objectivity: Observations are made from a neutral perspective without bias, rather than the scientist’s subjective viewpoint.
Replicability: Scientific procedures and experiments can be repeated to double-check the findings are valid.
Falsifiability: When a theory or hypothesis is tested/replicated, there must be some possible observation that could prove it false – even if that never actually happens.
What are paradigm shifts?
Philosopher Thomas Kuhn argues that science is not as unbiased and objective as it seems. Instead, the majority of scientists just accept the existing scientific theories (i.e. the existing paradigm) as true and then find data that supports these theories while ignoring/rejecting data that refutes them.
Rarely, though, minority voices are able to successfully challenge the existing paradigm and replace it with a new one. When this happens it is a paradigm shift.
