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Philosophy and Methodology of Science

Course developers

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to develop a philosophical and methodological knowledge base for master students on science and research as well as preparation of the report on research results emphasizing the specificity of social sciences. Master students gain an in-depth understanding of development of science, its problems, and criteria of scientific knowledge. Master students understanding of scientific development, challenges and criteria for scientific knowledge. The course develops interdisciplinary understanding and critical thinking, emphasizes methodological and philosophical aspects of social sciences. Master students acquire in-depth knowledge of the requirements for the development of scientific work in sociology, the types of social studies and theoretical and practical aspects of their implementation, the research ethics in social studies, the types of scientific publications and the preparation thereof, as well as the publication of the results of the studies for different target groups.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: students know and understand philosophical terminology and conceptions included in the course’s programme as well as their argumentation (Test 1); know the principles of research ethics (test 2); students are familiar with the structure, types of research and research designs in social sciences (Test 2, group work); know the basic principles for formulating elements of the research program according to the research design (group work).

Professional skills: ability to select and critically evaluate information related to philosophy of science, clearly formulate topical philosophical and interdisciplinary problems related to philosophy of science, to analyse and critically evaluate problems related to philosophy of science (discussions and argumentation in seminars); ability to define the research problem, the novelty of the research and the elements of the programmatic part (group work); skills to choose appropriate theoretical concepts, work with scientific literature (examination).

Soft skills: ability to plan tasks responsibly, to analyse philosophical texts, critically and tolerantly assess various views, to select information, to justify his/her views in discussions (discussions in seminars); ability to present and explain the results of their work to others (group work, seminars, exam).


Competence: ability to competently and responsibly examine interdisciplinary problems related to philosophy of science and provide suggestions for solving them (discussions in seminars); ability to identify and define the problem of a scientific work study and to theoretically justify its study (group work; examination); ability to conduct a sociological study in accordance with the principles of professional ethics (group work, examination).

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time studies:
1. Relations between science and philosophy. Fundamental and applied science as values (lectures 2h, seminar 1h).
2. Philosophical problems related to the emergence of modern science (lectures 3h, seminar 1h),
3. Philosophical problems of life sciences (lectures 2h, seminar 1h).
4. Criteria of scientific knowledge. Science and pseudoscience (lectures 2h, seminar 1h).
5. Philosophical aspects of social sciences (lectures 2h, seminar 1h).
6. Research ethics and academic integrity in social sciences (lectures 2 h).
7. Types and designs of research in social sciences (lectures 2 h, seminars 2 h)
8. Research program (lecture 1 h, seminar 1 h).
9. Development of a theoretical basis for scientific work (lecture 1 h, seminar 1 h)
10. Description of a research methodology in scientific work (lecture 1 h, seminar 1 h)
11. Development of the empirical part of a scientific study (lecture 1 h, seminar 1 h).
12. Publication of the research results (lecture 1 h, seminar 1 h).

Part-time distance learning:

All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam’s accumulating assessment of study results: participation in seminars’ discussions about seminars’ topics and literature chosen by lecturer (15%), written Test 1 on topics of philosophy of science’ lectures (15%), Test 2 on research ethics and research designs in social sciences (15%), group work on research designs and research strategies (15%), examination - literature review on a previously agreed topic and presentation thereof (40%).10% corresponds to 1 point on the 10-point assessment scale.


The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Master students study scientific literature, elaborate individual tasks.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Master students must successfully pass 2 written tests (30% in total), perform group work (15%), participate actively in seminars on subjects of science philosophy (participation in discussions is assessed, e.g., answering the questions and providing reasoned opinion) – 15%, pass the examination successfully (40%). 10% corresponds to 1 point on the 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Brāzma G. Filosofija, zinātne un reliģija. Grām.: Praktiskā filosofija (2008). Jelgava, LLU. 9.-76. lpp. Pieejams arī e-studiju (Moodle) vidē.
2. Brāzma G. Dzīvības zinātņu filozofiskās problēmas Grām.: Zinātnes filozofija (2011). Jelgava: LLU. 64.-94. lpp. Pieejams arī e-studiju (Moodle) vidē.
3. DeWitt R. (2018) Worldviews. An introduction to the history and philosophy of science. Wiley Blackwell. 362 p.
4. Vedins I. Zinātne un patiesība. Rīga: Avots, 2008. 702 lpp.
5. Creswell J. W. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA etc.: Sage Publications, 2003. 246 p.
6. Luke S. Academic Writing. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 2013, 132 p. Pieejams elektroniski LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=816736&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_C
7. Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. K. Mārtinsone, A. Pipere zin. red. Rīga: RSU, 2018. 301 lpp.

8. Woodfield K. The Ethics of Online Research. Bingley, UK: Emerald Publishing Limited (Advances in Research Ethics and Integrity), 2018. 268 p. Pieejams elektroniski LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=1577428&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_1

Further reading

1. Gorham J. (2009). Philosophy of Science. A Beginners Guide. Oneworld Oxford. 205. lpp.
2. Stumpf S. E., Fieser J. (2019) Philosophy: a historical survey with essential readings. McGrew-Hill. 426 lpp.
3. Kūlis M. (2021) Finis veritatis? Par patiesību un meliem. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 430 lpp.
3. Watkins C. Secondary Data in Mixed Methods Research. Los Angeles; London: Sage Publications Inc, 2023. 230 p. ISBN: 978-5063-8957-8.
4. Mack A.C. How to Write a Good Scientific Paper. Bellingham, Washington: SPIE Press, 2018. 124 p. Pieejams: https://spie.org/samples/9781510619142.pdf
5. Akadēmiskā godīguma terminu vārdnīca. Akadēmiskā godīguma vispārējās vadlīnijas. Uzziņu izdevums. Rīga: RTU Izdevniecība, 2020. 161 lpp. Pieejams: https://ebooks.rtu.lv/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/02/9789934224324_Akademiska-godiguma-terminu-vardnica_visparejas-vadlinijas_PDF-1.pdf
6. Toepoel V. Doing Surveys Online. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi, Singapore: SAGE Publications. 2015. 280 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Pieejams: http://plato.stanford.edu/
2. Humanities and Social Sciences: Latvia. Riga: University of Latvia, Institute of economics, Latvian Academy of Sciences. ISSN 1022-4483. Pieejams: https://dspace.lu.lv/dspace/handle/7/402
3. Latvijas Universitātes Raksti. Socioloģija. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte. ISSN 1407-2157. Pieejams: https://dspace.lu.lv/dspace/handle/7/1887
4. LBTU sociālās zinātnes. Pieejams: http://socialsciences.llu.lv/en
5. The British Journal of Sociology. Online ISSN:1468-4446. Pieejams: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14684446
6. Citing & Referencing: Vancouver Style. Pieejams: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/library/public/vancouver.pdf
7. Harvard Referencing: Guide. Pieejams: http://www.citethisforme.com/harvard-referencing
8. Frequently Asked Questions About Sixth Edition APA Style. Pieejams: http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/index.aspx

Notes

Compulsory study course in academic master’s study programme “Sociology of organizations and public administration”.