Philosophy of Social Science

This course is designed to inform and enrich the material learned in the research methods courses. It combines a descriptive and a normative approach to reflection on social science. In addition, the course contains a master thesis preparation seminar leading to a master thesis design proposal which supports the master thesis work process. The thesis preparation seminar runs in collaboration with the two courses on methods (SIW4210 and SIW4220).

Among topics covered in philosophy of science are the role of values in research, objectivity, realism, social constructivism, social ontology, feminist philosophy of science, evidence-based policy, models, and causality. The master thesis preparation seminar covers research design.

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A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• thorough knowledge of main social science philosophy topics relevant to social welfare and health policy studies
• knowledge of theories and concepts enabling systematic reflection on social science
• knowledge of basic research design theory

Skills

The student can

• analyse, discuss and evaluate social science from the viewpoint of philosophy of science
• transform a research question into a design for answering the question

General Competence

The student has

• thorough understanding of the relation between actual research and theories about research
• a well developed understanding of the foundations of research results and design

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and tutorials related to the coursework requirements. Students are expected to play an active role.

Students must submit four essays on the philosophy of social science (500 words), a tentative and a full templated master thesis design proposal. Students are required to present and discuss the design proposal in the master thesis preparation seminar.

The four essays, the tentative and full master thesis design proposal and the presentation of the master thesis design proposal are separately awarded a Pass or Fail. A Pass in all of them qualifies for sitting the school exam.

Students whose coursework requirement is not approved at first attempt may resubmit the work requirement once. Papers that are not approved after two submissions will disqualify students from sitting the final school examination.

The assessment consists of a four hour school exam.

Students may use a spelling dictionary, as well as a bilingual dictionary during the written school exam.

Students are awarded grades on a descending scale from A to E for pass and F for fail.

The school exam is assessed by an internal and an external examiner. External examiners assess a random sample consisting of at least 25 per cent of the exams. The grades given for this sample provide a basis for the internal examiner's assessment. The external examiner will also assess individual exams where there is doubt about giving a grade of pass.

Dag Jenssen