MBH4100 Philosophy of science and research methods Course description

Philosophy of Science and Research Methods is intended as a tool for students working on their master’s thesis and as an introduction to the knowledge basis of research about children and early childhood education and care (ECEC). The course provides an overview of different directions in philosophy of science, research ethics and methodological approaches, both quantitative and qualitative, used in ECEC research. It also deals with how theory, ethics and methodology contribute to forming an analytical framework for ECEC research.

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After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of key topics in philosophy of science and research methods that are relevant to ECEC research

• has knowledge of different types of data and ethical and practical issues related to data collection in research about children and ECEC

Skills

The student  

• can critically read research of relevance to ECEC in light of philosophy of science, research ethics and methods

• can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable standards of research ethics

General competence

The student

• can analyse relevant academic, professional and research ethics issues relating to the field of ECEC

• can apply their knowledge and skills to carry out research and development projects of relevance to ECEC

The course aims to develop the students’ analytical perspective on theory, methods, empirical data and ethics in ECEC research. All research, whether qualitative or quantitative, is based on philosophy of science assumptions that build on different views of knowledge and truth. The course is about exploring, understanding and using different theories of science and qualitative and quantitative research methods, to be able to critically assess one’s own and other people’s research.

Teaching activities in this course consist of lectures in large groups comprising students from all programme options. Seminars and group work will also be organised. Seminars, groups work and supervision sessions may also take place online.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

The student must have participated in one individual supervision session in a group. This comprises an oral presentation about theory and/or methodology lasting about 10-15 minutes. The presentation must build on a written memo (the basis for supervision) with a scope of maximum five pages, submitted at least one week before the presentation. Each student must also give a 5-10-minute prepared response to one other student’s presentation. The purpose of the presentation is to acquire knowledge of theories and methods of relevance to ECEC research, practice scholarly dissemination, share knowledge and discuss subject matter with others.

The exam comprises one individual written semester paper in the form of a research project outline with particular emphasis on philosophy of science and research methods (3,500 words +/- 10%).

Resit/rescheduled exams

Resits/rescheduled exams are organised in the same way as ordinary exams. Students can submit a reworked version of the semester paper for the first resit or rescheduled exam. A new semester assignment must be submitted for subsequent attempts.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Pass/fail

Two internal examiners are used. External programme supervisors are appointed to evaluate the coherence of the programme as a whole and the exams in each individual course.