Philosophy of Research - Social Science
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI4074 | Sociology and Social Policy | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- SOCI4074
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
The module has two parts:
1. Science and the philosophical critique of science.
2. Epistemological debates in the social sciences - including, but not limited to, positivism and its critics, interpretative approaches including phenomenology, critical realism, social construction and the politics of knowledge and the sociology of science.
Target Students
Only available for PGT, PGR or MA SSR students. Also available for DTP, MSci Psychology and Psychology Research Methods students and PG Exchange students. Not available to students studying on MAPP, MAISP and MPA.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: 4,000 words.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
Through guided reading and discussion, to enable students to analyse the epistemological and ontological issues that arise from different social and philosophical theories and their impact on social research methodologies, and how they relate to the validity of explanations or descriptions.Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
a) Knowledge and Understanding of
- A critical and reflexive understanding of the research that is carried out within health and social sciences.
- The theories that have shaped and continue to shape the specific discipline within the health and social sciences.
- Alternative epistemological positions within the disciplines that provide the context for theory construction, research design, and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques.
- The ethical and political concerns that are implicit in a range of methodological approaches.
b) Intellectual Skills
- Ability to formulate researchable problems that are justifiable in terms of their epistemological assumptions.
- Ability to appreciate the range of alternative approaches to research.
- Ability to develop reasonable and coherent arguments.
c) Professional Practical Skills
- Ability to define and formulate justifiable research problems and questions.
- Bibliographic skills including the ability to identify key resources (e.g., library, internet) and how to use them.
d) Transferable (Key) Skills
- A critical, applied, problem solving and analytical approach.
- Communication skills: writing and discussion.
- Ethical skills.