features of science

• Objectivity


  A key feature of science: it means that a piece of research has not been affected by subjectivity i.e. personal feelings, researcher bias, value-laden judgements or opinions
• Empirical method


  Involves using objective methods to collect data (quantitative only) in ways which are controlled by the researcher and which are replicable
• Empirical method


  Tests hypotheses using methods gained from direct observation in a systematic way
• Scientific method


  Objectivity and replicability are key
• Lab experiments


  • Hypothetico-deductive, use controlled conditions, manipulate the independent variable and measure behaviour via a replicable procedure resulting in quantitative data that is easy to compare and analyse
• Observational method


  • To some extent objective and empirical as it is based on direct observation of behaviour as proposed by the Behaviourists
• Interviews, case studies


  • Not objective or empirical as they are designed using the subjective experience of individuals
• Qualitative data


  • Not easily replicable e.g. a case study based on one individual is not replicable as the data generated from it will only apply to that individual
• Studies which use objective and empirical methods do not necessarily equate to research which is 'better' than studies which use qualitative methods
• Replicability


  A piece of research which could be carried out again by the same or another research and which would be likely to show consistent results which helps to increase the validity of the findings i.e. they show that the IV has affected the DV
• Falsifiability


  The ability of a study or theory to be found to be wrong i.e. false which means that scientific methods can be used to test the theory/hypothesis to see if it is indeed wrong
• Theories which have been tested repeatedly using controlled methods are falsifiable
• Theory


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


  A prediction of what the researcher expects to find after conducting an experiment: it must be objective and measurable
• If the null hypothesis can be rejected then the theory is strengthened
• Theories and research


  • Multi-Store Model of Memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)
  • Localisation of brain function (Maguire, 2000; Dougherty et al., 2002; Peterson et al., 1988)
• Paradigm


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


  Occurs when a field of study moves forward through a scientific revolution e.g. with a few scientists challenging an existing, accepted paradigm
• Paradigm shifts


  • Psychoanalytic theory to behaviourism
  • Behaviourism to cognitive approach
• Scientific report


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

  • Abstract
  • Method
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Referencing
• Psychological reports need to be written in a conventional way that allows for replication by other researchers
• Independent variable


  The variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher
• Dependent variable


  The variable that is measured or observed for change by the researcher
• Extraneous variables


  Variables that may influence the relationship between the independent and dependent variables
• Ethical concerns and considerations must be addressed in research
• Participants


  The individuals who take part in the research study
• Sampling method


  The technique used to select participants for the research
• Target population


  The group of people the researcher wants to study
• Sample


  The group of participants actually included in the research
• Allocation to conditions


  How participants are assigned to different experimental conditions
• Materials


  All the physical items used in the research
• Standardised procedure


  A step-by-step method that allows the research to be reproduced
• Location


  Where the research was conducted
• Debriefing


  Explanations provided to participants at the end of the research
• Controls


  Measures taken to avoid bias and ensure validity
• Findings


  The results and outcomes of the research
• Raw data


  The unprocessed data collected during the research
• Descriptive statistics


  Statistics that summarise and describe the data (e.g. mean, mode, median, range, standard deviation)
• Inferential statistics


  Statistics used to test hypotheses and draw conclusions about the population from the sample data