Science Flashcards
What is scientific theory?
A theory constructed to explain and predict phenomenon.
What is the process of the scientific method?
- Observe
- Question
- Hypotheses
- Testing
- Acceptance, rejection, or modification of a theory
Define critical thinking
A set of skills that allow us to evaluate claims in a scientific, open-minded fashion.
What are the five norms of science?
- Universalism
- Communalism
- Dis-interestedness
- Organised Scepticism
- Novelty
Define universalism
The attributes of the researcher are irrelevant, different researchers should reach the same conclusion
Define communalism
Scientific information must be shared publically
Define dis-interestedness
Scientists must place aside all personal beliefs
Define organised scepticism
Science should be subject to peer review and replication
Define novelty
Science should not just be repetition
What are the six principles of critical thinking?
- Extraordinary claims
- Testability
- Occam’s razor
- Replicability
- Ruling out rival hypotheses
- Correlation is not causation
Explain extraordinary claims
The more a claim predicts what we already know, the more persuasive the evidence for this claim must be (e.g. alien abduction; big claim needs persuasive evidence).
Explain testability
A genuinely informative theory will predict specific outcomes and does not try to explain everything. A sound scientific theory will make novel predictions. Scientific theories must be testable.
Explain Occam’s razor
The simplest explanation is often the one which also accounts for the most information
Explain replicability
The findings of a study are able to be duplicated consistently. Replication increases confidence in findings.
Explain ruling out rival hypotheses
Scientists cannot accept findings at face value, especially if they are in line with the proposed theory. Obliged to challenge and consider other accounts.
