Course Description SPL5001 - Scientific knowledge and methods of science (2005/2006)

The course shall help the students gain insight into the philosophical fundament and methods of science. Students shall develop an understanding of scientific knowledge, including both qualitative and quantitaive methods, so that they are able to assess the quality of knowledge, what potentialities and limitations it has, and how it can be applied in specific situations. The students shall aquire knowledge of central positions with the theory and constructivism. The students shall develop their consciousness in relation to their use of scientific knowledge and methods, and relation to different user groups.

- knowledge and schools associated with different views of knowledge.
- traditions of science; positivism, hermeneutics, phenomenology, critical theory
- action research, with emphasis on participatory action research
- research ethics
- the research process, types of quantitative and qualitative research designs and methods