Philosophy of Science: Key Concepts and Methods

Philosophy

Love of wisdom; study of fundamental questions.

Philosophers

Individuals who interpret meanings and concepts.

Ethics

Study of values and moral problems in behavior.

Epistemology

Study of knowledge and its acquisition limits.

Metaphysics

Study of reality and existence's fundamental principles.

Ontology

Nature of existence and being.

Cosmology

Origin and organization of the universe.

Axiology

Study of values, including ethics and aesthetics.

Inductivism

Theory derived from observable facts and experiences.

Hypothetico-deductivism

Theory asserting facts may not be observable.

Deductive Logic

General principles applied to specific cases.

Inductive Logic

Specific observations lead to general conclusions.

Scientific Method

Systematic approach for data collection and analysis.

Good Instruments

Tools ensuring validity and reliability of data.

Key Questions in Education

What is knowledge, learning, and teaching?

Values in Ethics

Rightness, wrongness, and desirability of actions.

Scientific Theories

Explanations based on observed and tested facts.

Observable Facts

Data that can be perceived through senses.

Nature of Reality

Fundamental questions about existence and being.

Nature of Knowledge

Exploration of what constitutes true understanding.

Nature of Values

Examination of moral and aesthetic principles.

Theories

Confirmed explanations supported by evidence, not proven.

Hypothetico-deductivism

Testing hypotheses through predictions and observations.

Charles Lyell

Geologist supporting evolution through fossil records.

Darwinism

Theory of evolution by natural selection.

Creationism

Belief in divine creation of life.

Fossil Record

Historical evidence of past organisms in layers.

Rock Layers

Sedimentary strata indicating geological time periods.

Present Day Species

Species currently alive today.

Falsificationism

Theory must be testable and falsifiable.

Scientific Progress

Advancement through testing and refuting theories.

Conjecture and Refutation

Science evolves by challenging existing theories.

Thomas Kuhn

Philosopher who introduced 'paradigm' concept.

Paradigm

Framework of theories guiding scientific research.

Normal Science

Routine research within established paradigms.

Revolutionary Science

Radical shifts in scientific understanding.

Inverse Correlation

Relationship where one variable increases as another decreases.

Sedimentary Rock Layers

Layers of rock formed by sediment deposition.

Percentage of Fossil Species

Proportion of species still existing today.

Scientific Criticism

Evaluation and challenge of scientific theories.

Planned Test

Experiment designed to validate a hypothesis.

Expected Result

Predicted outcome based on a hypothesis.

Scientific Method

Systematic process for investigating phenomena.

Define Problem

Identify the issue to be investigated.

Ask a Question

Formulate a specific inquiry based on observations.

Hypothesis

Proposed explanation to be tested.

Test the Hypothesis

Conduct experiments to validate or refute hypothesis.

Collect Data

Gather information from experiments or observations.

Report Results

Share findings with the scientific community.

Quantitative Data

Numeric variables used for statistical analysis.

Qualitative Data

Categorical variables describing characteristics.

Reliability

Consistency of a measurement across trials.

Validity

Accuracy of a measurement in assessing intended concept.

Test-Retest Reliability

Consistency of results over time.

Internal Consistency

Consistency across different parts of a test.

Interrater Reliability

Consistency across different observers or raters.

Face Validity

Measurement appears to assess intended construct.

Construct Validity

Measure accurately reflects the intended construct.

Content Validity

Measurement covers all aspects of the concept.

Criterion Validity

Measure correlates with other valid measures.

Discriminant Validity

Scores not correlated with conceptually distinct measures.

CRAAP Test

Criteria for evaluating information credibility.

Currency

Timeliness of the information provided.

Relevance

Importance of the information to the topic.

Authority

Credibility of the information source.

Accuracy

Support of information by credible evidence.

Purpose

Intent behind the information presented.