Abstract:
© 2020 The Royal Society of New Zealand. Scientific research involves a statement involving quantities and their values with respect to three different conceptual spaces. There is theoretical space, containing explanatory statements involving non-observable quantities and values. On the whole, theoretical space is concerned with why things happen. There is methodological space, containing statements about what must be done. While methodological space involves what is required to produce a given effect, it also involves aspects related to data analysis and, in the case of psychological research, quantities that are associated with the participants, many of which are both unknown and unmeasured. Data space involves statements concerning what was found, and the particular values obtained from a given study. Using Illusory Line Motion as an example, this article will explore how these ideas interact. We will explore why we see motion when none exists under different circumstances and offer multiple explanations for illusory line motion. We view these not as alternative explanations for a common illusion but as independent explanations for different illusions.
