Features of a Science Flashcards
(11 cards)
What are the features of a science?
- objectivity
- empirical method
- replicability
- falsifiability
- theory construction
- hypothesis testing
- paradigms and shifts
What are empirical methods
info gained through direct observation or an experiment
- doesn’t go beyond what can be observed and is verifiable by objective measurements
What is objectivity?
info that is free from bias
based on observable info, not opinions
How can researhcers be objective
- operationalise variables
- base research on existing theories
- conduct research using scientific methods
- control extraneous variables
What is replicability?
the extent which a study can be repeated to check the reliabilty
What should studies have in order for them to be replicable
- highly controlled
- operationalised variables
What is falsifiability
the ability to prove a hypothesis wrong
What is theory construction
A collection of general principles that explain observations and facts
- must be able to test the theory empirically
What is hypothesis testing?
- a way to modify theories
- theories must be able to generate testable expectations which are stated in the form of a hypothesis
What is a paradigm
a set of shared assumptions
What is a paradigm shift?
when an accepted paradigm is questioned a shift occurs when there’s too much contradictory evidence to ignore
