Key Features of the Scientific Method

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  • Created by: charlotte
  • Created on: 10-06-13 14:01
Empiricism - Definition
Knowledge gained through investigation, findings made sense of in terms of theory construction and establishment of general laws that enable accurate predictions
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Objectivity - Definition
Scientists detached and not influenced by personal prejudices and expectations, can be improved by standardised procedures, double blind controls and inter-observer reliability
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Repllicability - Definition
Suggests study is valid, if repeated the results given are the same, suggests original results are true espeically if found by a different researcher
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Control - Definition
Control of extraneous variables necessary in order to establish cause and effect relationships
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Theory of Construction - Definition
Way of making sense of research findings
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Falsifiability - Definition
It should be possible to disprove a theory
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Empiricism - Issue
Psychologists carry out research and collect evidence :) They construct theories :) Don't really have general laws to predict behaviour :(
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Objectivity - Issue
Theories often constructed from personal ideas :( Experimenter bias can be a problem :( Procedures in place to prevent experimenter bias :) subjectivity involved :(
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Repllicability - Issue
Lab studies are well controlled and standardised instructions allow us to replicate :) studies based on naturalistic observation do not have repllicabillity :( inter-observer reliability allows us to test the accuracy of the findings :)
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Control - Issue
Have control in lab studies :) Naturalistic observations, natural experiments and case studies have low control :(
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Theory of Construction - Issue
Theories are constructed in psychology based on research and evidence :)
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Falsifiability - Issue
Lots of research is falsifiable e.g. biological and behavioural :) psychodynamic is not falsifiable :(
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Card 2

Front

Scientists detached and not influenced by personal prejudices and expectations, can be improved by standardised procedures, double blind controls and inter-observer reliability

Back

Objectivity - Definition

Card 3

Front

Suggests study is valid, if repeated the results given are the same, suggests original results are true espeically if found by a different researcher

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Control of extraneous variables necessary in order to establish cause and effect relationships

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Way of making sense of research findings

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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