features of science

What is a science?

• body of knowledge: facts,theories ad laws that have been discovered.

• Method of acquiring knowledge: how knowledge is obtained. Systematic observation, measurement.

1) Objectivity

• All research must be objective.

• Beliefs, opinions removed. Information based on facts and empirical evidence.

• standardised procedures/random sampling/double bind techniques

2) Empirical methods

• Obtaining information only through our senses. Can be seen, measured or tested.

• experiments/observations

3) Replication

• Ability for another researcher to repeat a study exactly the same to see if similar results are found.

• must be precise - uses standardised procedures/operationalised variables

4) Falsification

• Karl popper argued hypothesis msut be designed so its capable of being proven true or wrong through observation

• cant be falsified - not scientific

• e.g untestable concepts cant be falsified

5) Theory construction

• theory - ideas that can be explained by observation

• theory construction - developing a theory based on direct observation

• hypothesis testing - specific to a prediction

6) Paradigm shift: what is a paradigm?

• paradigm: a shared set of beliefs/assumptions used by a scientific community.

Paradigm shift

• when one set of idea and methods are replaced with new ones.

• (due to too much contradictory evidence)

Khuns conclusions

• doesnt see psychology as a science.

• Can only be a science if it follows one dominant paradigm.