Philosophy of Science and Research Methods (MEE125)
Social science gives rise to a broad range of ontological, epistemological, and methodological issues. Central questions in the philosophy of social science concern the possibility and production of scientific knowledge. In short, how is scientific knowledge acquired? In keeping with this, the course introduces central questions in the philosophy of science focused on showing their relevance for a) scientific activity in general and social science in particular, and b) research design and practice.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
MEE125
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
English
Content
The course consists of two main themes:
- Philosophy of social science
- Understanding and evaluating research
In this course,we will discuss processes and conditions of scientific knowledge production and application. We deal with questions regarding nature of science; how to demarcate science from non-science; scientific reasoning and rationality; differences between social sciences and natural sciences; the social construction of reality and science; how knowledge is produced and situated; the role values play in research; and what consequences this has for issues of scientific objectivity and subjectivity.
Students will learn how to evaluate the scientific quality of research, think critically, and scrutinise scientific claims. Students will also learn about the nature of scientific work; forms of scientific analysis; as well as sound research practices and methodologies.
The course is organised in a number of modules, combining lectures and discussions with active participation among students. Students will work in groups with dedicated tasks for each module. Students will also hand in a written assignment based on this work. Active participation is therefore required in order to complete the course. While lectures offer students the theoretical frameworks and conceptual tools necessary for an overview of the philosophy of science, mandatory tasks and activities will facilitate students’ learning with regard to their own programme areas and its relation to the various topics discussed.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will have:
- Knowledge of central issues and approaches in the philosophy of social science.
- Knowledge of central issues and approaches relating to research practice and evaluation.
- Knowledge of how the two sets of issues and approaches relate to one another.
Skills
Students will be able to:
- Present and discuss issues in the philosophy of social science in an informed and independent way.
- Present and discuss issues relating to research practice and evaluation in an informed and independent way.
- Present and discuss the relation between the two sets of issues in an informed and independent way.
- Critically reflect on practices and conditions of knowledge production.
- Critically evaluate procedures, implicit assumptions, and implications of research projects.
General competence
Students will be able to:
- Independently acquire and asses knowledge within their field of study.
- Independently analyse and discuss issues in the philsophy of science using relevant concepts.
- Analyse relevant ethical and political dimensions of scientific practice.
- Critically assess the uses and usefulness of key approaches in the philosophy of science in relation to research and/or working life.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School exam | 1/1 | 4 Hours | Letter grades | None permitted |
Coursework requirements
The course is mandatory for several Master's programmes at the Department of Media and Social Sciences and is taught in English. Students in English-language programmes will submit all work in English. Students in Norwegian-language programmes may choose to submit their work in either English or a Scandinavian language.
Exam-questions will be provided in English and Norwegian, but extracts from syllabus will only be in English.
The course requires active participation and students will have to a hand in a compulsory written assignment during the semester in order to qualify for the final exam. Detailed information on deadline, nature, and length of the written assignment is provided in the introductory lecture at the beginning of the course period. This assignment will be evaluated according to a Pass/Fail grade. Failure to pass this compulsory assignment will disqualify the student from taking the final exam.
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Liv SunnercrantzCourse teacher:
Torvald ØgaardStudy Adviser:
Magda HognestadMethod of work
Lectures, discussions, assignments, and group work.
The teaching activities in this course consists of 5 full-day sessions on campus. These sessions will include lectures, group discussions, and tasks. All students are expected to read the syllabus and participate in discussions and thereby develop analytic reflections in a productive environment with fellow students. The course-coordinator will facilitate a digital learning platform (Canvas). Any changes to the curriculum will be announced on Canvas.
This course is taught in English.
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| Philosophy of Science and Research Methods (MEE140_1) | 10 |
| Hermeneutics, Ethics and Methodology (MEN155_1) | 10 |