features of science

what does science mean?

systematic approach to creating knowledge

what are 2 things science should be?

• Systematic and controlled - can rely on it when we use it to predict and control the world (e.g. create vaccines, water supply in drought areas)

what are 5 key features of science?

1. Empirical methods

2. Objectivity

3. Replicability

4. Theory constructive

5. Hypothesis testing

what do empirical methods (in terms of features of science) refer to?

• Info is gained through direct observation or experiment not from unfounded beliefs or reasoned argument

• Important because people can make claims about anything, but only way we know if it is true is through direct testing if empirical evidence

what does objectivity (in terms of features of science) refer to?

• Not affected by the expectations or experiences/prior knowledge of the researcher = a key feature of empirical data

• Use carefully controlled conditions to conduct research

what does replicability (in terms of features of science) refer to?

• To demonstrate validity, we repeat an experiment, observation, questionnaire etc. and if you get the same results, this confirms the truth of the original results e.g. validity (different people, slightly different task)

• Different to reliability - to check reliability need to use same people in exactly the same way

• Requires standardized procedures and careful recording of methodology

what does theory construction (in terms of features of science) refer to?

• A theory is a collection of general principles that explain observations and facts

• These theories help us to explain and predict what is going on around us

what does hypothesis testing (in terms of features of science) refer to?

• The validity of a theory is tested via hypothesis testing

• Hypothesis = a testable statement of expectations

• A good theory is able to generate testable expectations e.g. generate a hypothesis

• If a hypothesis is not supported, the theory requires modification

what are the 2 methods of theory construction and what do they mean?

• Inductive - theory then hypothesis testing

• Deductive - hypothesis testing then theory

what is a paradigm? and whats it’s relation to psych?

• shared set of assumptions about the subject matter of a discipline and the methods appropriate to its study

• Psychology has more than one paradigm - each approach has a paradigm e.g. can argue psych isn't a science

what is a paradigm shift?

• occurs when lots of evidence against the existing/prevailing set of assumptions has been accumulated

• suggests set of assumptions are wrong/need modifying

what is falsifiability? example?

• the possibility that a statement or hypothesis can be proved wrong

• e.g. during 18th century there was theory that drawing blood could cure any illness, if doctor drew blood and patient got better than theory was supported, if patient died then explanation was it was too late - no result can be taken as evidence against the theory so it's impossible to show the theory is incorrect