1. An Examination of Science

2. What is Science Is a systematic approach for analyzing and organizing knowledge. Used by all scientists regardless of the field of study ABA – socially important behaviors Uses the Scientific Method Allows you to achieve a thorough understanding of the phenomena under study ▫Seeks to discover the real truths ▫Not those held by certain groups or organizations

3. Some Characteristics of Science Different types of investigations provide different levels of understanding: ▫Observation ▫Description ▫Prediction ▫Control Each level contributes to the overall knowledge base in a given field

4. Observation Lots of things to look at out there Can be just about anything In Psychology and ABA - Behavior

5. Description  Begin to collect facts about observed events  Can quantify, classify, or examine for relations with other “known” facts  Old Philosophers, only examine one thing (Aristotle)  New way, make comparisons between items.  Relations allow you to create hypotheses or questions for additional research

6. Prediction  Defined as the probability that when one event occurs, another event will or will not occur  Is based on repeated observations revealing relationships between various events  Allows you to demonstrates a relationship or correlation between events  No causal relationships can be interpreted

7. Control Is the highest level of scientific understanding Functional relations can be derived through various types of examinations. E.g., Experimental method  Specific changes in one event (dependent variable) can reliably be produced by specific manipulations of another event (independent variable)  Change is unlikely to be the result of other extraneous factors (confounding variables)

8. Control (continued) Events can only really be “co-related” ▫Cannot ever factor out all other possible “causes” ▫But you can significantly reduce them  Is why we use statistics and probability that an event occurs  P<.05 vs. P<.10 vs. P<.001 etc.

9. Attitudes of Science Science as a set of attitudes (Skinner, 1953) Definition lies within the behavior of scientists, not the instruments or materials they use Only known as science due to an overriding idea of “scientific method” ▫Fundamental assumptions about the nature of events

10. Scientific Attitudes Guides the work of all scientists Includes: ▫Determinism ▫Empiricism ▫Experimentation ▫Replication ▫Parsimony ▫Philosophic doubt

11. Determinism Is an Assumption upon which science is predicated Presumption  The universe is a lawful and orderly place  All phenomena occur as the result of other events  Events do not just occur at will  Events are related in systematic ways

12. Empiricism Practice of objective observation of phenomena of interest Is what all scientific knowledge is built upon “Objective” is the key to gaining a better understanding of what is being studied

13. Experimentation Basic strategy in most sciences Experiment: ▫Controlled comparison of some measure of the phenomenon of interest (dependent variable) under two of more different conditions in which only one factor at a time (independent variable) differs from one condition to another

14. Replication Allows you to determine usefulness of findings Includes the repetition of independent variable conditions within experiments Method for which mistakes are discovered

15. Parsimony The idea that simple, logical explanations must be ruled out, experimentally or conceptually, before more complex or abstract explanations are considered Help scientists relate findings of a study to a field’s existing knowledge base

16. Philosophic Doubt The continuous questioning of the truthfulness and validity of all scientific theory and knowledge Involves the use of scientific evidence before implementing a new practice, then monitoring the effectiveness of the practice after its implementation

17. Science is… A systematic approach to the understanding of natural phenomena… As evidenced by description, and control… That relies on determinism as its fundamental assumption… Empiricism as its prime directive… Experimentation as its basic strategy… Replication as its necessary requirement for believability… Parsimony as its conservative value… And philosophic doubt as its guiding conscience.

18. ABA Uses the underlying principles of science Often uses experimental or quasi-experimental research Uses in applied settings ▫Individuals ▫Businesses ▫Education ▫Medicine

19. Conclusions Science is the basic underpinning of ABA and Psychology in general Scientific method can be used to examine a wide variety of phenomena Uses a variety of methods ▫Some are more reliable and valid than others