Scientific theory and methods
Subject: Scientific theory and methods
Credits: 5 ECTS
Target Audience: MSc-students and Aalesund University College
Prerequisite: BSc
Objectives: The aim is to both get an overview and skills using practical methods. The scientific theory and research methods refer to the body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.
Topics:
1. What is science?
§ Historic philosophic concepts of science (Aristotle, Descartes, Bacon, Russell, Hume, Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos, Goethe, Whitehead, Bertalanffy)
§ Kuhn`s paradigms and Lakatos statements
§ The relationship between basic research, applied research and action research
2. Science, ethics and society
§ Perspectives, norms, objectivity and subjectivity
§ Research ethics, Helsinki-declaration
§ Science and research ethics
§ Merton`s 4 ethical norms
§ Use of human and animals in testing
§ Plagiarism and copying, referenced
§ Misuse of research results
2. Science and modelling
§ “Hypothetic-deductive method” and “science circle”
§ Functionalism, reductionism, reflective theory
§ Modelling based on measurements and observations
§ Modelling as a method for prediction and control of organisations
§ Research planning
§ Statistics
§ Scientific communication
Instructions: Lectures and project work.
Mandatory Assignments: 3 project works.
Evaluation: Portfolio of project work
Grades: A – F where the grade F represents failure.
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