features of a science

• features of a science

  1. hypothesis testing
  2. empirical evidence
  3. falsifiability
  4. replicability
  5. control
  6. objectivity
  7. theory construction
• hypothesis testing 


  we test hypotheses using the scientific process

  if the hypothesis testing leads to results that don't match the hypothesis, researchers need to adjust the hypothesis
• empirical evidence 


  when information is collected through direct observations
• falsifiability 


  when it is possible for the hypothesis to be proven false
• replicability 


  when researchers repeat/replicate a study to re-test the hypothesis , if they get the same results again - the results replicated
• control


  control group: the level of the iv that has not been manipulated

  experimental group: level of the iv that has been manipulated

  extraneous variables: when something other than the IV can effect the DV - researchers must control extraneous variables

  confounding variables: a type of extraneous variable that varies according to the level of the IV
• objectivity 


  researcher must not let personal bias affect their experiment
• theory construction


  theory: a comprehensive explanation that has already been backed up by the scientific method

  a theory can be constructed using evidence gathered through research