what is a science?

• scientific experiments involve ...


  testing cause and effect relationships
• the scientific method

  1. aims: statement that gives reason for experiment
  2. hypothesis: prediction of what will happen in experiment
  3. method : exact procedure followed
  4. results : changes observed during experiment
  5. conclusion: interpretation of results
• independent variable 


  the thing we change
• dependent variable 


  the thing we measure
• levels of the independent variable


  there will always be at least 2 versions of the IV, to ensure a cause and effect relationship
• operationalisation


  defining how the variable is going to be measured
• empirical 


  • Empirical data is information gained through direct observation rather than reasoned argument or belief 
• objective 


  Data should not be affected by the expectations of the researcher. Data collection should be systematic and free from bias. Without objectivity there is no way of knowing if our findings are valid
• controlled 


  • All extraneous variables need to be controlled in order to be able to establish cause (IV) and effect (DV).
• replication


  scientists record their methods and standardise them carefully so that the same procedures can be followed in the future (replicated). Repeating a study is the most important way to demonstrate the validity of an observation or experiment. If the outcome is the same, then this indicates that the original findings are valid.
• predictability 


  We should be aiming to be able to predict future behavior from the findings of our research.
• paradigm 


  shared set of assumptions and methods

  Psychology lacked a universally accepted paradigm and was therefore best seen as pre-science
• paradigm shift 


  • occurs when paradigms are challenged more and more over time until there is so much evidence that the old paradigm can no longer be accepted such that new paradigms will take its place. In psychology there was a paradigm shift from the psychoanalysis of the psychodynamic approach to the behaviourist approach and then again to the cognitive approach and then to the biological approach.