features of science

• paradigm

  set of shared ideas and assumptions within a scientific discipline
• paradigm shift

  significant change in central assumptions within a scientific discipline as a result of a scientific revolution
• theory construction

  takes place through gathering evidence from direct observation during investigations.
• hypothesis testing

  a key feature of a theory is that it should produce statements (hypotheses) which can be tested
• falsifiability

  a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it allows itself to be proven untrue.
• replicability

  the extent to which scientific methods and their results can be repeated by other researchers across other contexts and circumstances.
• objectivity

  all possible biases from the researcher are minimised so that they don't influence or distort the research process.
• empirical method

  evidence is collected by making direct observations and through direct experiences.