PHDH902 Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics in Health and Social Sciences

Contents and structure

This course aims at providing candidates with a high awareness of ontological, epistemological and methodological positions in human health and social science research, a broad methodological understanding of the candidate's own PhD project, as well as to give the candidate a basis for solid reflexive practice related to research ethics pertaining to both research practice and meta-theoretical positioning. The philosophy of science traditions, amongst these empiricism, positivism, phenomenology, hermeneutics and constructivism, are discussed in relation to topics such as paradigms, theory and data, explanation and interpretation, knowledge and power, holism and reductionism, and rationality and relativism. During the course, issues related to health, function and participation are addressed by focusing on humans in the tension between nature and culture. The core questions are how various disciplines perceive scientific knowledge, and what assumptions this is based on. In this course, critical reflection on epistemological assumptions in one's own discipline, the relationship between one's discipline and other disciplines in the field of health- and social science, and considerations regarding research ethics that one's own research practice, the researcher's role, and the interdisciplinary nature of the research field entail, are central.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the PhD candidate will have gained the following learning outcome, defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge:

The candidate ...

• can critically reflect on what knowledge is in their own and in other disciplines represented in health- and social science
• has an in-depth insight into the connections between epistemological and methodological positions, also related to their own field and subject of research
• can critically reflect on historical and social conditions for knowledge production
• have in-depth knowledge of how different epistemological traditions can respectively be productive or restrictive in health- and social science research
• has knowledge of key ethical premises and dilemmas in research on human health, function, and participation
• can relate their research to issues of practical research ethics, e.g. privacy and informed consent, as well as to comprehensive ethical reflections related to the societal benefits of research and resource use

Skills:

The candidate ...

• can relate central issues in theory of science to their own research
• can challenge and problematize established knowledge and practices in health- and social science
• can critically assess their own positioning, transparency and reflexivity as a researcher within interdisciplinary research fields
• can critically reflect on complex academic questions within both research ethics and philosophy of science on a meta level
• has acquired a methodological awareness on that research methods themselves are based on a particular ontology and a certain understanding of knowledge production (epistemology)
• can critically assess complex questions of research ethics related to the candidate’s own and related fields within health and social sciences

General competence:

The candidate ...

• can identify and critically reflect on ontological and epistemological foundations in research in health- and social sciences
• has the competence to be part of and initiate interdisciplinary research and professional practice with meta-theoretical insight within an increasingly cross-sectoral research field where user participation and the societal benefit of research are central components

• can identify and understand research as social practice
• has the competence to identify and analyze relevant research ethical issues related to various epistemological positions, but also to research in general and to integrity in the researcher role in particular
• can reflect on academic and ethical choices related to their own meta-theoretical position and role as a researcher

Entry requirements

Master's degree with 120 ECTS credits or equivalent in relevant academic fields.

Number of participants: The course requires a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 participants. The number of PhD students should preferably comprise at least 50% of the total number of participants.

Teaching methods

The teaching is based on full day seminars. Teaching methods include lectures, organised seminars and group work. The writing of the final essay begins at the same time as the course. The candidate receives individual and group-based supervision from fellow students and teachers on the scientific essay in which the candidate discusses philosophy of science and ethical challenges related to their project. The candidate will present their work as well as be an opponent and give feedback on fellow students' essay draft and plenary presentation.

Compulsory learning activities

None.

Assessment

Assignment

An individual scientific essay that discusses scientific theoretical and ethical challenges with relevance to the student's own research project. The essay should be a maximum of 4500 words and the literature list must reflect both self-selected literature and a selection from the core literature of the course. An internal and external examiner assess the written essay.

Grading

Pass/fail

Re-sit exam

If failing to pass, an improved version of the task can be handed in for new assessment once.

Examination support material

All aids allowed. Rules for the use of AI follow HVL's current guidelines.

For more information about the use of AI, please see Using AI in Your Studies - Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

More about examination support material