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Inductivism
Science method is based on some variant of induction. nave inductivism
which bases all scientific reasoning upon observation ().
The Route from observation to explanation
Figure 1
Facts acquired through Universal laws Predictions
Observation and theories and explanation
Deduction ( )
By combination the results of observations; theories() need to be able to
predict or explain features of the environment.
The discipline of logic() is required to progress from observation based
theories to the prediction or explanation of phenomena.
Logical deduction is based on the if....then progressive from
Premises () to logical deduction.
Nave inductivism
Nave inductivist bases the development of science upon the aggregation of
observed data into laws and theories.
Basis of science Observation and induction reasoning are objective and the
result will be objective laws and theories.
All inductinve evidence is limited, as we do not observe the universe at all times
and in all places. We are not justified therefore in making a general rule from this
observation of particulars.
Popper gives the examples: Europeans for thousands of years had observed millions
of white swans. Using inductive evidence, we could come up with the theory that
all swans are white. However, exploration of Australasian introduced Europeans to
black swans.
Poppers point is this: no matter how many observations are made which confirm a
theory there is always the possibility that a future observation could refute it.
Induction cannot yield certainty.
The deduction logic is -: However many confirming instances there are for a
theory, it only takes one counter observation to falsify it: only one black swan is
needed to repudiate the theory that all swans are white.
Scientific Method
Scientific method - The application of the philosophy of science to accounting
We learn that there are approach - i.e. Philosophical approaches to science (e.g.
Induction, Deduction and falsification) and theories about the way in which
research progresses i.e. Methodological (Lakatos and Kuhn).
Lakatos Research Program made up of three components - the negative heuristic,
the protective belt and positive heuristic.
Khun the progression of science Paradigm shift
- the Disciplinary Matrix
1. Symbolic generalizations accepted notions such as double entry, concept of
income.
2. Shared commitments the realization and matching principles, going concern.
3. Shared values conservatism, consistency and materiality.
4. Exemplars textbooks and expositions in current use
These philosophies and theories underlie the accepted approach to empirical
research which is often called the scientific method. It is a highly structured
approach to theory formulation.
Scientific Methods
The progress of scientific methods-
a. Start with a theory based on prior knowledge or accepted scientific theory
constructions.
b. The next step is to use the theory to establish a research problem when we
observe real-world behavior that does not concur with the theory.
c. At this stage, a theory is developed to explain the observed behavior and use
the theory to generate testable hypotheses that will be corroborated only if
the theory holds.
d. Then follow precise and highly structured or predetermined procedures for
data collection and after subjecting the data to math. or statistical
techniques, we validate or refute the hypotheses tested.
e. This approach has further inherent assumptions that see the world to be
researched as an objective reality capable of examination in terms of large
scale or average statistics.