research methods year 2

Question 1

what are the five features of science?

Answer 1

paradigm and paradigm shifts:
Kuhn (1962)- what distinguishes between a science and a non-scientific discipline is a shared set of assumptions and methods - a paradigm
a paradigm shift is when a critique of a pre-existing theory gathers pace and popularity - leading to a paradigm shift (where there is too much contradictory evidence to ignore)

theory construction and hypothesis testing:
theory construction is the process of developing an explanation for the causes of behaviour by systematically gathering evidence and then organising it into a coherent account
hypothesis testing is a key feature of a theory, a statement which can be tested and only in this way can be falsified

falsifiability:
Popper (1934) - argued a key part of a scientific theory is its falsifiability, it’s possibility to be proved untrue

replicability:
the extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be repeated by other researchers- this has a role in deeming validity and generalisability

objectivity and empirical method:
objectivity is the idea that all sources of personal bias should be minimised to not distort the research process- ‘critical distance’ must be kept
empirical method- scientific approaches that are based on gathering evidence through direct observation and experience

Question 2

outline validity

Answer 2

1 mark :
validity is the extent to which an observed behaviour is genuine

it includes internal validity which is the extent to which researchers have measured what they wanted to measure.

also includes external validity which is the extent generalisation scan be made beyond the research setting ton difference settings/people/time periods (ecological, population and temporal)

Question 3

Through the control of variables, internal validity can be achieved.

What are confounding variables?

What are extraneous variables?

Answer 3

confounding variables are variables hat affect everyone in the same group in the same way

extraneous variables are variables outside of the study that affect the IV (can be participant - age/IQ or situational)

Question 4

External validity can be affected my MUNDANE REALISM - what is this?

Answer 4

how much the study reflects the reality of real life (how realistic it is)

Question 5

How could psychologists access validity?

Answer 5

face validity:
a basic form of validity
a measure is scrutinised to determine whether it appears to measure what it is supposed to measure (by looking yourself or passing onto expert to check)

concurrent validity:
the extent to which psychological measure relates to an existing/similar measure. (happens during pilot study- look to see if results established in study match a study whose results havealreasy been publishd - look for a c roeelation coeffcient)