SDP415 Theory of science for environment, development and planning studies

How does your philosophical and ethical orientation affect your research? And how can an understanding of philosophy of science and ethics improve your research? This introductory course helps PhD candidates answer these questions.

During the course we explore a number of philosophical perspectives on science - that is, systems of generalised views of the world that guide action - and consider how they influence scientific practices. Through this examination, we address questions of ontology, epistemology and ethics, but in an applied manner by questioning how philosophy affects interpretations of the purpose(s) of research, research design, methodology and methods.

The precise philosophical positions that are covered in the course are partly determined based on the background and academic interests of the enrolled PhD candidates. In previous years, they have included perspectives from critical realism, critical theory, post-structuralism, constructivism and interpretivism.

The ethics component of this course is fulfilled by taking sessions from the cross-Faculty course, Research Education Across Disciplines (MINA400). Seminars take place on this course monthly and you must attend a minimum of four meetings and work sessions, during the Autumn and/or Spring semesters. The content of the seminars varies from year-to-year, but typically include such topics as: the ethics of publishing; ethical assessment of research; and, building a culture for research ethics.

The course ends with a poster workshop through which we seek to further clarify and debate our individual philosophical and ethical beliefs and their consequences for what you deem to constitute ‘good’ science in your PhD research.

The principal learning outcomes that you will realise through this course are as follows:

• Recognise points of difference and intersections between philosophical perspectives
• Understand what is deemed worthwhile and ‘good’ science under different philosophical perspectives
• Identify the philosophical values guiding your own and others scientific inquiries and ethical questions relevant to your field
• Appraise the philosophical and ethical basis for research design decisions that we make and how they affect research outcomes