Features of Science - Research Methods

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  • Created by: rosannaaa
  • Created on: 28-04-18 11:06
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  • Paradigm - set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline.
  • Paradigm Shift - result of a scientific revolution: significant change in the dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline.
  • Kuhn suggested that social sciences lack a universally accepted paradigm and are best seen as distinct from natural sciences such as biology and physics.
  • Paradigm shift occurs when there is too much contradictory evidence to ignore.
  • Science tests theories - a theory is a set of general laws or principles that have the ability to explain events or behaviours.
    • Theory Construction
      • Theory construction occurs through gathering evidence via direct observation.
  • Hypothesis Testing
    • Essential component of a theory is that it can be scientifically tested.
      • Theories should suggest a number of possible hypotheses. Then be tested using systematic and objective methods.
      • Deriving new hypotheses from existing theory - deduction.
    • Be possible to make clear and precise predictions on the basis of the theory.
  • Falsifiability
    • The principle that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being proven untrue.
  • Popper argued the key criterion of a scientific theory is falsifiability.
  • He believed when a scientific principle had been successfully and repeatedly tested, it was not necessarily true. Not yet proven false.
  • If a theory is to be trusted, the findings must be shown to be repeatable across a number of different contexts and circumstance
  • Replication used to assess validity of a finding, by repeating a study of number of contexts.
  • Objectivity is when all sources of pesonal bias are minimised to not distort research. The basis of EM.
    • Objectivity and Empirical Method
      • Empirical Method - scientific approaches that are based on the gathering of evidence through direct observation and experience.
      • Features of Science
        • Replicability
          • The extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be repeated by other researchers.

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