The Scientific Method

Question 1

Physical Science

Answer 1

Branch of natural sciences that study the non living world

Question 2

Social Science

Answer 2

Studies culture, society and human interaction

Question 3

What differentiates social and physical science?

Answer 3

Physical - Study of non living world produces unvaried universal laws that can be directly measured, precisely and objectively
Social - Study of human interaction does not produce unvaried universal laws

Question 4

How did psychology adopt the scientific method?

Answer 4

Wilhelm Wundt established first psychological testing lab on basis of observation, experimentation and measurement
Like physical sciences, can lead to universal laws

Question 5

Do all philosophers of science agree on what the scientific method is?

Answer 5

NO

Question 6

3 Accounts of the scientific method

Answer 6

Karl Popper
Thomas Khun
Paul Feyerabend

Question 7

Unifying principles of the scientific method

Answer 7

A COLLECTION of different methods - the empirical method and the hypothetio-deductive method
with Epistemic thinking (abt the obtainment of knowledge)

Question 8

Pragmatism

Answer 8

Obtaining information that can be practically applied to improve peoples lives

Question 9

Different stages of understanding

Answer 9

Exploration –> Experimentation —-> Testing

Question 10

Why is scientific method a collection of methods and not a single straight checklist?

Answer 10

Method used will vary for each context (eg what is being measured, and what the aim is (to obtain theoretical information or usefulness) and what level of understanding we are at with the topic

Question 11

2 methods the scientific method is composed of typically

Answer 11

Empirical method
Hypothetico deductive method

Question 12

Empirical

Answer 12

Through observation or experience

Question 13

The empirical method

Answer 13

Gathering data with no preconceptions on what the result should look like
Then organising this to find trends/ relationships
That we can use to make predictions (INDUCTIVE references)
KEY: understand why the predictions are right so they can be transferred to the unobserved

Question 14

Induction

Answer 14

Predictions/Drawing general patterns based off of trends in data that we can make (without having a theory or preconceptions first)
To draw conclusions to the unobserved

Question 15

The hypothetico-deductive method

Answer 15

Pre existing Theories are evaluated by generating then testing hypotheses: develop a ‘law’ through observation and induction (empirical method)
Then explanatory theory
Dduction of hypothesis: if this theory is right then logically this should occur
Test hypothesis and results either challenge or support the theory

Question 16

Falsification

Answer 16

Theories must be worded so they have the ability to be refuted aka describe what supports the theory and what discredits it

Question 17

Why is falsification a key in hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 17

Because coinciding theories exist that need to be scrutinised to find which has the most evidence to support it
So all scientific theories must have this ability to be scrutinised: have evidence to support/contradict

Question 18

Why is falsification better than verification?

Answer 18

Allows for the development of theories to be more accurate and supported by evidence (while theories can be discareded if enough evidence against)

Question 19

Do we ever prove in science?

Answer 19

No just be really really certain

Question 20

Problems with falsification

Answer 20

There are other goals of science eg improve the world
Science deals with probabilities and so it may not havw the ability to be proven wrong
Being proved wrong leads to modification of theory until it is no longer the same theory ??

Question 21

Epistemic virtues

Answer 21

Objectivity
Open mindedness to possibility were wrong
Skepticism
Systematicity
Thoroughness
Transparency and honesty

Question 22

Replicability

Answer 22

Demonstrates same support for a theory by repeating a similar test under different study conditions

Question 23

Definition of findings

Answer 23

Observed occurrances in a study before any interpretations are made

Question 24

Definition of conclusions

Answer 24

Explanations/interpretations of the findings in light of a background theory

Question 25

What is the scientific method?

Answer 25

The general method of acquiring knowledge through induction and deduction

Question 26

Theory

Answer 26

Proposed explanation derived from empirical observations

Question 27

Hypothesis

Answer 27

Precise testable prediction of what you expect to find in a study based on a theory

Question 28

How does a research prediction differ from hypothesis?

Answer 28

Includes details of specific context what is being investigated is under whereas hypothesis is more vague but logically entails from the theory