features of science

what are the features of science

PROPHETF

Paradigm

Replicability

Objectivity

Paradigm shift

Hypothesis testing

Empirical method

Theory construction

Falsifiability

what is a Paradigm and Paradigm shift

Paradigm - a set of shared assumptions and methods within scientific discipline

Paradigm shift - when contradictory evidence questions an established paradigm leading to the acceptance of a new paradigm
» KUHN suggested what distinguishes a scientific discipline from non scientific discipline is whether it consist of paradigms e.g. theory of evolution in biology at

what is Replicability

Replicability - ability to carry out research again and again using same standardised procedure and getting same results = increases confidence in results
» POPPER suggested a theory can only be trusted if findings are repeatable across various context and circumstances

what is Objectivity and Empirical method

Objectivity - researchers must keep distance from research and not allow personal opinions or bias influencing data they collect

-to maintain objectivity: use standardised procedures, controlled variables, double blind

Empirical method - collecting data through observational or experimentational methods, data must be collected objectively

what is Theory construction and Hypothesis testing

Theory construction - gathering evidence to form general laws/ principles which explain behaviours or events

Hypothesis testing - a theory should have the ability to be tested using objective methods, findings may:

support = theory strengthened

refute = theory may need to be revised or revisited

what is Falsifiability

Falsifiability - a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it has the possibility of being disproven/ proved wrong

» POPPER suggested even if a scientific principle has been successfully tested and repeated its not necessarily true, it just hasn’t been proven wrong yet = strengthens a theory