Features of Science

• What distinguishes scientific disciplines from non-scientific disciplines according to Kuhn?

  A paradigm
• What is a paradigm?

  A set of shared assumptions and methods
• Why does psychology struggle to qualify as a science?

  It has too much internal disagreement
• What is a paradigm shift?

  A significant change in dominant theory
• When does a paradigm shift occur?

  When there is too much contradictory evidence
• What is a theory?

  A set of general laws explaining events
• How does theory construction occur?

  Through gathering evidence via direct observation
• What must theories be able to do?

  Be scientifically tested and suggest hypotheses
• How are hypotheses tested?

  Using systematic and objective methods
• What did Popper argue is the key criterion of a scientific theory?

  Falsifiability
• What is falsifiability?

  The possibility of being proved false
• Why must an alternative hypothesis be accompanied by a null hypothesis?

  To allow for falsifying the hypothesis
• What is replicability in scientific research?

  The ability to repeat findings by others
• Why is replication important?

  It determines validity and reliability of findings
• How can researchers see the extent of generalization of findings?

  By repeating studies in different circumstances
• What must researchers maintain during investigations?

  Objectivity
• What does objectivity mean in research?

  Minimizing personal bias in research
• What is the basis for the empirical method?

  Objectivity in the research process
• What is the empirical method?

  Scientific approaches based on direct observation