features of science- research methods

Question 1

paradigms and paradigm shifts

Answer 1

kuhn-distunguishes scientific disciplines from non scientific disciplines is shared set of assumptions and methods
social sciences lack universally accepted paradigm and best seen as pre science
natural sciences characterised by having number of principles at core such as theory of evolution or standard model of universe
psychology marked by too much internal disagreement and has oo many conflicting approaches to qualify as sicnece and pre science
progress within established sicence occurs when there is scientific revoution
researchers question accepted paradigm begins to gather popularity and pace and paradigm shift occurs when there is too much contradctory evidence to ignore

Question 2

theory construction and hypothesis testing

Answer 2

science tests theory
set of general laws or principles that ahve the ability to explain particular events or behaviours
theory construction occurs through gathering evidence via direct observation
can be scientifically tested
should suggest number of possible hypotheses
hypothesis can then be test using systematic and objective methods to determine whether it will be supported or refuted
support-theory will be strengthened
process of deriving new hypotheses from existing theory is known as deduction

Question 3

falsifiability

Answer 3

popperkey criterion of theory is falsifiability
should hold themselves up for hypothesis testing and the possibility of being proven false
even when scientific principle had been successfully repeatedly tested it was not true
drew clear line between good science in theories are constantly challenged and can be falsified and what he called pseudosciences which couldnt be falsified
theories that survive the most attempts to fals them become the strongest- despite effprts of researchers they have mot eben proven false
alternative hypothesis should always be accompanied with null hypothesis

Question 4

replicability

Answer 4

hypothetico deductive method is replicability
if scientific theory is to be trusted the findings from it must be shown to be repeatable across a number of different contexts and circumstances
important role in detrmining validity
over a number of different cntexts and circumstances then we can see the extent to which the findings can be generalised
psychologists must report their investigations with as much precision as possible so other researchers can see to verify their work and verify the findings they have established

Question 5

objectivity and the empirical method

Answer 5

strive to maintain objectivity
keep critical distance during research not allow their personal opinions or biases to discolour the data they collect or influence the behaviour of the pps
methods in psychology associated with the greatest level of control tend to be most objective
empirical methods emphasise the importance of data collection based on direct sensory experience
experimental method and observational method are good examples of empirical method
locke saw knowledge as determined by only experience and sensory perception- theory cant claim to be scientific unless it has been empirically tested and verified