FEATURES OF SCIENCE

• Objectivity


  A key feature of science, meaning a piece of research has not been affected by subjectivity, personal feelings, researcher bias, value-laden judgements or opinions
• Empirical method


  Involves using objective methods to collect quantitative data in ways which are controlled by the researcher and replicable
• The empirical method tests hypotheses using methods gained from direct observation in a systematic way
• Objective and empirical methods

  • Lab experiments
  • Observational method
• Methods designed using subjective experience of individuals, such as interviews and case studies, are not objective or empirical
• Qualitative data is not easily replicable, e.g. a case study based on one individual
• Replicability


  A piece of research which could be carried out again by the same or another researcher and would be likely to show consistent results, helping to increase the validity of the findings
• Falsifiability


  The ability of a study or theory to be found to be wrong, which means scientific methods can be used to test the theory/hypothesis to see if it is false
• Replicable and falsifiable methods and theories

  • Lab experiments
  • Questionnaires
  • Large-scale surveys
  • Controlled observations
  • Experiments on memory
  • Localisation of brain function research using MRI
• Theory


  A set of principles that intend to explain certain behaviours or events
• Empirical evidence


  Evidence gathered via research to support a theory's central assumptions and principles
• Hypothesis


  A prediction of what the researcher expects to find after conducting an experiment
• Null hypothesis


  The hypothesis that the researcher aims to reject through their experiment
• Theory construction and hypothesis testing

  • The Multi-Store Model of Memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)
  • The theory of localisation of brain function
• Paradigm


  A set of shared assumptions and methods within a particular discipline which distinguishes a science from a non‐science
• Paradigm shift


  When a field of study moves forward through a scientific revolution, with a few scientists challenging an existing, accepted paradigm
• Paradigm shifts


  • Psychoanalytic theory to behaviourism
  • Behaviourism to cognitive approach
• Psychology is viewed as a pre‐science as it has too much disparity between its various approaches (e.g. cognitive versus behaviourist)
• Scientific report


  Presents the findings of a piece of research which has been designed, conducted and then analysed by one or more researchers
• Scientific report


  • Follows a specific structure and uses a standardised format
• Sections of a scientific report

  • Abstract
  • Method
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Referencing
• Abstract


  A summary of the entire research process which should be 150 - 200 words long (APA guidelines)
• Method


  Describes the sample, sampling method, design, materials, and procedure
• Method


  • The procedure should be standardised so that it is easily replicable and to highlight that ethical guidelines have been adhered to
• Results


  Summarise the findings of the study measured as the performance of the participants, their behaviour, or their responses
• Quantitative data


  Analysed statistically via descriptive and inferential statistics
• Qualitative data


  Analysed using appropriate methods such as thematic analysis or content analysis
• Discussion


  Starts with a consideration of the results, presents an evaluation of the research, and considers the wider contexts, implications, and applications
• Referencing


  Acknowledges all sources used throughout the process, adhering to a particular convention
• Psychological reports need to be written in a conventional way that allows for replication by other researchers
• The basic requirement of a scientific report

  Answer the four following questions: What was done? Why was it done? What were the findings? What do the findings mean?
• The most common way to set out a scientific report

  • Title
  • Contents page
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Aims
  • Hypothesis
  • Method
  • Findings
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Referencing
  • Appendices
• Title


  • Must be clear, relevant and fully informative
• Contents page


  • Should be clear, include page numbers and include everything that is in the report, including the different appendices
• Abstract


  • Summarises the research, explains why the research was conducted, outlines the aims, method and outcome, and identifies possible ideas for future research
• Introduction


  • Explains why the research was conducted, describes previous theoretical research conducted on the same area, and narrows down the area of research to help lead the researcher to the aims and hypothesis
• Aims


  • Stated concisely, clearly and precisely
• Hypothesis


  • Both the null and directional hypothesis are stated, with justification of the directional hypothesis
• Method


  • Outlines what is done, step by step, to allow for the research to be replicated, including details of the design, participants, materials, and procedure
• Findings


  • Presentation of what was found, including descriptive statistics (key findings, numerical statistics, measure of dispersion) and inferential statistics (statistical test chosen, explanation, calculations, significance test and outcome)