Theories of Science and Research Methodology

The emphasis in the course is on knowledge about and understanding of theories of science, history of science and philosophy of science, methodology, data generation and analysis. The course will prepare the students for working on their master thesis by providing a deeper insight into epistemology, traditions in theory of science (theoretically and methodologically) and characteristics of scientific work. The course will also prepare the students for reading, understanding and reflecting on different types of research literature. It invites the students to learn about and reflect on the relationship between research, researchers, disciplines and society in an overarching perspective. It also provides tools for analysing data material in the students master theses and helps them to position their projects in relation to theory of science. Furthermore, the course invites to developing the students insight into research ethics and their understanding of the relationship between epistemology, methodology, and research methods.

Knowledge

The candidate

• has in-depth knowledge about central developmental traits and controversies in the history of theory of science
• has relevant knowledge about different research traditions and research paradigms
• has knowledge about fundamental reasoning and proceedings within different methodological approaches
• has relevant knowledge about the use of concepts within different methodological traditions

Skills

The candidate

• can discuss and reflect on different aspects of research traditions and scientific paradigms
• can identify and discuss the relationship between theory of science and research methods
• can critically evaluate and interpret research results against use of methods
• can reflect independently on different ethical questions relating to research

General competence

The candidate

• can analyse and assess the relationship between empirical knowledge and theoretical and methodological research questions - both on a theoretical and practical level.
• can carry out in-depth assessment of scientific insecurity, limitations and possibilities related to the use of different research methods
• can assess research ethics in their own and others research

Lectures, workshops, text seminars, independent work, and group work.

Compulsory work

3-5 reflection texts and 1 text about research project

During the course the students are going to write 3-5 short texts where they reflect on central concepts and perspectives within theory of science and research methodology. They will also submit a text presenting ideas for their master project emphasising possible ethical challenges related to their research.

Compulsory activities must be approved in order to deliver the home exam.