MMO5001 Philosophy of Science, Research Design and Methods

Contents and structure

- Common concepts, problems and theories of philosophy of science, particularly related to epistemology and ontology.

- A variety of theoretical positions within philosophy of science, i.e. different solutions to the most common problems of epistemology and ontology, and a discussion of the pros and cons of these solutions.

- How different solutions to epistemological and ontological problems provide different resources for building different kinds of scientific disciplines  -  within both natural and social sciences.

 

- Knowledge about the relationship between philosophy of science and research design, i.e. how epistemological and ontological assumptions provide possibilities and restrictions for how specific research ought to be designed.

- Methodological challenges that arise when designing research projects based on different epistemological and ontological assumptions. 

Learning Outcome

- What the concepts ontology and epistemology refer to, and the relationships between them.

- The more important problems with different epistemological and ontological theories, particularly the distinction between objectivist and relativist theories.  

- The most common advantages and disadvantages of the different common solutions to epistemological and ontological problems, e.g. the distinction between "to explain" and "to understand".

- The fundamental epistemological and ontological differences between natural and social sciences.

- The common ontological and epistemological theories employed within different types of sciences.

- How specific epistemological and ontological assumptions allow for some types of research designs and not other, i.e. allow for certain kinds of research questions and therefore necessitate certain kinds of methods.

- The difference between qualitative and quantitative methods and the different problems of validity associated with both types of methods    

- Kuhn's theory about how sciences develop

- Popper's rule about falsification.

 

- Ability to analyse research based knowledge claims and evaluate their philosophical strengths and weaknesses, including methodological validity.

- Ability to independently use relevant research methods.

- Ability to design a coherent research project where epistemology, ontology, subject matter theories and methods are consistent and appropriate for answering the research question.

 

- Ability to analyse all kinds of knowledge claims with regards to their philosophical status.

- Ability to critically assess the types of knowledge produced by different kinds of research.

- Ability to critically assess the validity of knowledge claims presented in scientific literature

- Ability to employ insights from philosophy of science to identify and appreciate (evaluate on all possible parameters) the weaknesses and strengths of knowledge claims.

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of scientific methods as commonly acquired trough completing a bachelor thesis.

Teaching methods

Independent studies, lectures/seminars, group work, presentations in class.

Compulsory learning activities

A draft design of a research project is handed in approximately half way through the course

Assessment

Portofolio.

Examination support material

All and any

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