Features of Science (Research Methods)

Information is gained through direct observation or experiment.

People can make claims, but the only way to test the theories is thorugh direct testing e.g. empirical evidence.

It should not be affected by the expectations of the researcher.

The key to being objective is to have the conditons carefully controlled e.g. in a laboratory.

A way to demonstrate the validity of an observation, questonnnaire, or experiment.

If the result of the repeat is the same as the original, it confirms truth in the findings.

The procedure needs to be carried out with clear instructions to make it easier to replicate and verify the results.

Collection of general principles that explain observations and facts.

Theories/Explanations need to be made to make sense of facts.

Help to predict phenomena around us.

Inductive/Deductive methods are used by scientists meaning the hypothesis testing can come before/after the theory. 

Theories are modified through hypothesis testing.

If a theory does not produce testable expectations, it requires modification.

Was developed in 20th Century through falsifiaction.

Being able to prove a hypothesis wrong.

Karl Popper, 1934

     'No matter how many instances of white swans we may have observed, this does not justify the concusion that all swans are white'

A null hypothesis must be made that can be proved wrong in any study. 

A shared set of assumptions about the subject matter of a discipline and the methods appropriate to its study. (Kuhn, 1962)

Normal Science: When one theory remains dominant despite occasionl challenges from disconforming studies.

Paradigm Shift: When the theory is no longer maintained and is overthrown. 

                     :  E.g. Copernicus overthrew the belief hat the earth was the centre of the universe.

Psychology is a paradigm as there is no shared set of assumptions (approaches and different views)