Important features include:

Ü	The use of known facts, observations, and careful reasoning to construct theories and derive testable hypotheses;
Ü	specific research methods to mount competent tests of hypotheses with the goal of increasing understanding of the phenomena being studied;
Ü	statistical analyses to evaluate results;
Ü	the drawing of appropriate inferences and conclusions;
	and
Ü	bringing to bear critical thinking principles to maximize reliability, validity, and usefulness.