data should be collected and interpreted in ways that avoid bias - data is not influenced by researcher's opinions or expectations
improving objectivity
systematic data collection
double blind
peer review
systematic data collection
data gathering is carefully planned out and consistent for each participant - should be carefully designed
double blind
researchers dont know the research aims collect the data
peer review
identifies biased research e.g researchers making conclusions that are not supported by the data and stopping that work from being published
replicability
scientists are required to carefully record their methods and produce standardised procedures so that other scientists can repeat their experiments and observations
falsifiability
theories should be testable and able to be proven false if incorrect
paradigm
set of shared assumptions and methods with a particular discipline
for example, behaviourist vs cognitive psychologists
theory of construction
gathering evidence from direct observation during investigation
this is to create general law and test hypotheses
hypothesis testing
Finally, science involves hypothesis testing through the use of the empirical method, which relies on direct observation and experimentation rather than intuition or personal beliefs. This allows psychological research to be based on evidence.
