Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Science Philosophy, Research Principles, Methods, Methodology and Praxis of Social Science in Interdisciplinary Perspective
Course Code
DN_198
Branch of Science
Other social sciences
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Communication Science; Health Management; Information and Communication Science; Juridical Science; Management Science; Political Science; Social Anthropology
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Gunda Reire
Structure Unit Manager
Dace Bandere
Structural Unit
Department of Doctoral Studies
Contacts
Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, dn@rsu.lv, +371 67409120
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the study course is to introduce doctoral students in an intensive way to various schools of science philosophy, principles of social science research, theories, and methods to form the basis for the development of their doctoral thesis in an interdisciplinary perspective. This knowledge will allow to acquire different approaches in the individual research process and will provide an in-depth comprehension of such concepts as reality, objectivity and subjectivity, truth, and values, thus providing additional tools in the development of the research design. The aim of the course is to strengthen the skills of students of the doctoral study programme to use different theoretical frameworks and social sciences methods in their scientific work, as well as to develop the ability to work interdisciplinary.
Preliminary Knowledge
Master's thesis experience in research, defended master's study research.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.The doctoral student is familiar with various schools of science philosophy.
Individual work and tests
Learning and discussing course literature in the context of their doctoral thesis during seminars. • Course evaluation elements
2.The doctoral student is familiar with the principles, theories and methods of social sciences research by which to form the basis for developing his or her doctoral thesis in an interdisciplinary perspective.
Individual work and tests
Course evaluation elements • Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis • Draft summary of the scientific article on the selected topic of the doctoral thesis. • A review of research gaps of the topic of the doctoral thesis.
3.The doctoral student is familiar with correct terminology of social sciences.
Individual work and tests
Draft summary of the scientific article on the selected topic of the doctoral thesis. • A review of research gaps of the topic of the doctoral thesis. • Creation of an X-post (140 characters) that best reflects the scientific value of the doctoral thesis. • Course evaluation elements
4.The doctoral student is oriented in the field of science, describing the theory and methodology of his or her work, research steps according to the current stage of the doctoral thesis.
Individual work and tests
Course evaluation elements • Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis • Draft summary of the scientific article on the selected topic of the doctoral thesis.
5.The doctoral student has acquired academic terminology and knowledge in the field of academic writing by creating a draft summary of an interdisciplinary scientific article.
Individual work and tests
Draft summary of the scientific article on the selected topic of the doctoral thesis. • Course evaluation elements
Skills
1.The doctoral student is able to apply different approaches to advancing the individual research process.
Individual work and tests
Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis • Course evaluation elements
2.The doctoral student is able to define the theoretical framework, methodology of his or her doctoral thesis, critically analyse scientific literature on the topic of the doctoral thesis of his or her thesis.
Individual work and tests
Course evaluation elements • A review of research gaps of the topic of the doctoral thesis. • Creation of an X-post (140 characters) that best reflects the scientific value of the doctoral thesis.
3.The doctoral student shall demonstrate the ability to discuss, argue and discuss academic research designs developed by himself or herself and other doctoral students on the basis of the criteria of scientific novelty, the topicality of the doctoral thesis, the problem and the formulation of the objective, the theoretical basis and the methodological framework.
Individual work and tests
Course evaluation elements • Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis • Learning and discussing course literature in the context of their doctoral thesis during seminars.
4.The doctoral student is able to use different theoretical frameworks and methods of social sciences in his or her scientific work, as well as has developed the ability to work interdisciplinary.
Individual work and tests
Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis • Course evaluation elements • A review of research gaps of the topic of the doctoral thesis.
Competences
1.The doctoral student shall create the research design of his doctoral thesis in an academic correct manner, present it and discuss it in a scientific discussion.
Individual work and tests
Course evaluation elements • Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis
2.The doctoral student shall establish a draft summary of an interdisciplinary academic article in an academic correct manner.
Individual work and tests
Course evaluation elements • Draft summary of the scientific article on the selected topic of the doctoral thesis.
3.A doctoral student shall establish an X-message on the subject of his doctoral thesis for the development of his scientific communication competences.
Individual work and tests
Creation of an X-post (140 characters) that best reflects the scientific value of the doctoral thesis. • Course evaluation elements
4.The doctoral student is able to create a quality review of little or no research, within the scope of his/her doctoral thesis.
Individual work and tests
Course evaluation elements • A review of research gaps of the topic of the doctoral thesis.
5.The doctoral student is able to present, participate in scientific discussions, as well as maintain a scientific discussion in an interdisciplinary perspective.
Individual work and tests
Creation of an X-post (140 characters) that best reflects the scientific value of the doctoral thesis. • Course evaluation elements • Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis • Learning and discussing course literature in the context of their doctoral thesis during seminars.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Learning and discussing course literature in the context of their doctoral thesis during seminars. |
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2.
Draft summary of the scientific article on the selected topic of the doctoral thesis. |
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Test
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3.
A review of research gaps of the topic of the doctoral thesis. |
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Test
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4.
Creation of an X-post (140 characters) that best reflects the scientific value of the doctoral thesis. |
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Test
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Development, presentation, and deliberation of research design for PhD thesis |
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Test
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The research design of the doctoral thesis submitted by the PhD student shall be evaluated in accordance with the requirements of the course description and the topics examined. The PhD student shall submit the prepared written assignment electronically to the head of the study course at least one working day prior to the examination. Oral part of the examination: in person, the doctoral student shall present the submitted research framework for the doctoral thesis, answer questions, engage in discussion regarding the submitted written assignment and presentation. Presentation duration: 10 min |
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2.
Course evaluation elements |
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Test
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In order to obtain a credit, a doctoral student must fulfil the following criteria:
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Introduction to the basic issues of modern science and social sciences.
Description
Annotation: A brief insight into the theories of science and social sciences, the place and significance of social sciences in the overall context of scientific development. What it means to understand the individual and society "scientifically". Merton's institutional imperatives - communism, universalism, disinterest, and organized scepticism. The importance of scientific novelty. Four paradigms of social science research. Topics covered during the class: 1. Social sciences and disciplines of social sciences. 2. Theory, method, and scientific research. 3. Merton's scientific norms and paradigms of social science research. 4. Novelty, topicality, and uniqueness of the topic of scientific work; the importance of little-studied or unexplored issues in scientific work. Literature: 1. Lakatos, Imre (1980). The Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes: Volume 1: Philosophical Papers. Cambridge University Press. 2. Merton, Robert K. (1942). The Normative Structure of Science. Panarchy [available: https://www.panarchy.org/merton/science.html]. 3. Popper, Karl Raimund (2002). The logic of scientific discovery. New York: Routledge. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Hypothetico-deductive explanation concept v. epistemological anarchism.
Description
Annotation: Scientific development and the importance and limitations of fixed, universal laws in the progress of science. Limits of methodological rules in the growth of knowledge. The role of the hypothetico-deductive method in scientific research.
Topics covered during the class: 1. The search for patterns in social sciences, the structure of scientific revolutions; metatheories or paradigms. Explanation, anticipation, laws.
2. Social statistics.
3. Causality in social sciences.
Literature: 1. Kuhn, Thomas Samuel (2012). The structure of scientific revolutions. Fourth edition. Chicago, London: The University of Chicago Press.
2. Lakatos, Imre; Feyerabend, Paul (2000). For and Against Method: Including Lakatos's Lectures on Scientific Method and the Lakatos-Feyerabend Correspondence. 1st Edition. University of Chicago Press.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Research design and main types of research related to the construction of theories.
Description
Annotation: Application of the topics covered in the study course in the development of the doctoral thesis research design. Development of a research plan, parameters and formulation of the research question and hypothesis, theoretical perspective of the research and finding the most appropriate research methods.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Research plan.
2. Research question and hypothesis.
3. Methods and theoretical perspective
Literature: Trochim, William M., Donnelly, Kanika Arora (2016). Research methods: the essential knowledge base. 2nd edition. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Individualism and holism.
Description
Annotation: The juxtaposition of individualism and holism, their ability and inability to explain the phenomena of social sciences. Scientific issues that are explored with a focus on society as a whole rather than on individual parts, groups or individuals. Scientific issues requiring the approach of individualism, within which individual element of society should be considered as an independent entity with self-contained features. Juxtaposition of methodological individualism and historical materialism; the need to find an explanation of social phenomena in individual action and to supplementation of social phenomena at macro level with micro-level foundations specifying the theoretical mechanisms of action.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Individual and social or individualism and holism; holistic explanation and methodological individualism.
2. Structuralism.
3. Validity and applicability of models.
Literature: 1. Durkheim, Emile (2014). The Rules of Sociological Method: And Selected Texts on Sociology and its Method. Free Press; Expanded, Updated edition, 27. un 28. nodaļa.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Rational action: its justification and limitations.
Description
Annotation: Rational explanations in social sciences from a theoretical point of view. Rational actors, self-interest, and the concept of "invisible hand". Limitations of rational choice, subjectivity, behaviourism in social sciences, and the influence of external factors.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Rational action, its limitations, structures, and experiments.
2. Rationalization, rationalism, and the rational choice theory.
3. Pathologies of the rational choice theory.
Literature: 1. Martin, M., McIntyre, Lee (1994). Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science. N edition. A Bradford Book. Part V.
2. Rosenberg, Alexander (2018). Philosophy of Social Science. Fifth edition. Routledge. Chapter 6.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Interpretation and meaning v. approach of positivism.
Description
Annotation: The focus of the interpretative approach in the social sciences, as opposed to the approach of positivism in the social sciences. Focus of the interpretative approach on the description and existing human interactions, assigned meanings and processes that build up the settings for the functioning of society. The focus of the positivism on the impact of society on the individual. Applicability of quantitative and qualitative methods within these approaches.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Interpretative paradigm in social sciences.
2. Interpretivism and positivism.
3. Hermeneutic approach.
4. Ideas, beliefs, and discourses.
Literature: 1. Blaikie, Norman (2007). Approaches to Social Enquiry: Advancing Knowledge. 2nd Edition. Polity.
2. King, G., Keohane, Robert O., Verba, S. (2021). Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in Qualitative Research, Princeton University Press.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Functionalism and social theory.
Description
Annotation: Functionalism as a theory in social sciences, which focuses on the structures that create society and build stability in it. The importance of social facts in the functioning of society. Durkheim’s theory of structural functionalism, and its development. Social constructivism and social constructionism. Critical social theory.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Functionalism and functional explanations in social sciences.
2. Social theory and social structure. Social construction.
3. Critical theory.
Literature: 1. Merton, Robert K. (2017). Social Theory and Social Structure. Rawat.
2. Rosenberg, Alexander (2018). Philosophy of Social Science. Fifth edition. Routledge. Chapter 10.
3. Winch, Peter (2007). The Idea of a Social Science and Its Relation to Philosophy.1st ed. Routledge.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Methods of science philosophy and social sciences in the context of the doctoral thesis.
Description
Annotation: Application of the topics covered in the study course in the development of the doctoral thesis research design. Development of a research plan, parameters and formulation of the research question and hypothesis, theoretical perspective of the research and finding the most appropriate research methods.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Research plan.
2. Research question and hypothesis.
3. Methods and theoretical perspective
Literature: 1. Trochim, William M., Donnelly, Kanika Arora (2016). Research methods : the essential knowledge base. 2nd edition. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Blaikie, Norman (2007). Approaches to Social Enquiry: Advancing Knowledge. 2nd edition. Polity.Suitable for English stream
2.
Durkheim, Emile (2014). The Rules of Sociological Method: And Selected Texts on Sociology and its Method. Free Press; Expanded, Updated edition, Chapters 27, 28.Suitable for English stream
3.
Kuhn, Thomas Samuel (2012). The structure of scientific revolutions. 4th edition. Chicago, London: The University of Chicago Press.Suitable for English stream
4.
Lakatos, Imre; Feyerabend, Paul (1999). For and Against Method: Including Lakatos's Lectures on Scientific Method and the Lakatos-Feyerabend Correspondence. 1st edition. University of Chicago Press.Suitable for English stream
5.
Merton, Robert K. (2017) Social Theory and Social Structure. Rawat.Suitable for English stream
6.
Popper, Karl Raimund (2002). The logic of scientific discovery. New York: Routledge.Suitable for English stream
7.
Trochim, William M., Donnelly, Kanika Arora (2016). Research methods: the essential knowledge base. 2nd edition. Boston, MA: Cengage LearningSuitable for English stream
8.
Creswell, John W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. 3rd edition. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
King, Gary; Keohane, Robert O.; Verba, Sidney (2021). Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in Qualitative Research. Princeton University Press.Suitable for English stream
2.
Rosenberg, Alexander (2018). Philosophy of Social Science. 5th edition. Routledge. Chapters 6; 10.Suitable for English stream
3.
Merton, Robert K. (1942). The Normative Structure of Science. PanarchySuitable for English stream
4.
Winch, Peter (2007). The Idea of a Social Science and Its Relation to Philosophy. 1st edition. Routledge
Other Information Sources
1.
Kincaid, Harold (2017). The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Social Science. Oxford University Press.Suitable for English stream
2.
Rosenberg, Alex; McIntyre (2020). Philosophy of Social Science. A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge.Suitable for English stream