Being able to demonstrate that something is not the case, i.e. that a hypothesis is false
Replicability
Being able to repeat an original procedure in exactly the same way
Objectivity
Taking an unbiased external perspective that is not affected by an individual or personal viewpoint, so should be consistent between different researchers
Induction
A scientific method that uses observations to generate testable hypotheses, which are developed into theories
Deduction
A scientific method that develops hypotheses from theories, then tests these hypotheses by 'observation', i.e. empirically
Hypothesis testing
Scientific evidence is gathered by demonstrating objectively that a testable statement (a hypothesis) is either supported or refuted by evidence
Manipulation of variables
To test hypotheses in a valid and reliable way, the IV and DV must be operationally defined
Control of variables
Essential so that extraneous variables could not account for changes in the DV, which would make any apparent effect of the IV invalid
Standardisation
The use of a set procedures for conducting the study and collecting data across different conditions and participants to limit the effects of uncontrolled variables
Quantifiable measurements
Quantifiable measurements (i.e. numerical ones) help to ensure that the DV is being assessed in an objective way
The study of cause and effect
Investigation of a causal relationship ie search for a link between two variables such as a change in one variable can be demonstrated to be responsible for changes in another variable, as is seen in experiments in which the IV caused the DV to change
