Epistemology in this Class
Understand the implications of epistemological stance for how researchers collect data and what they consider "good" research or valid data
Understand how my epistemological stance affects what I tell you about how to collect data
Understand how my epistemological stance will affect how I grade your assignment submissions

Course Design and Structure
Understand the flow of the course
Consider timing and preparation needed for submissiont and adjust to meet student needs as much as possible
Identify your key interests in the class and make sure the course structure and design fits your needs

Class Preparation

Examine the course syllabus in detail. Read it -- do not skim through it. We will discuss the structure and overall organization of the course in our first class meeting. I want your input about things like when assignments are due, how many points each component in the course should carry, how we can adjust class participation to make it as fruitful and "hassle free" as possible for all of us, and what you want to get out of the course. If you have not looked at the syllabus, we cannot have a fruitful discussionl. Please do voice your questions or doubts about the various components of the course. Your understanding of the instructions and your use of the materials at this website are critical to success in the class. Start with a good understanding now and we will be much better prepared to succeed in this class.

Epistemology and Social Science Research

Short version of what is scientific reaslism on YouTube by Jan Willem Lindemans This is a 5-minute video, short, kind of fun video on what the term scientific realism means.

Maxwell, J.A. (2012) What Is Realism, and Why Should Qualitative Researchers Care? Pp. 3-13 in J.A. Maxwell, A Realist Approach for Qualitative Research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA. e-reserve The only required reading starts with the last paragraph on page 6 andextends through the second paragraph on page 10 (you can ignore the table). These pages reflect my epistemological stance and the implications of that stance for both quantitative and qualitative research. You must grasp the realist epistemology because it is the basis for the approach to research methodology in this class. If you do not understand the basic traits of this epistemology, you will find the course very difficult. I recommend that you take the time now to gain a thorough understanding of this epistemology rather than try to work through this when you are doing the assignments. If you are interested in epistemology, you have the entire chapter from Maxwell on e-reserve, but it can be "heavy" reading.

Epistemology, Theory, and Research Methods Critical for success in this class. We will come back to this for the discussions of measurement next week.

The Druckman & Donohue article referenced below is a sophisticated presentation of current discussions (sometimes arguments) about epistemology in social science and the challenges to traditional epistemological stances that are emerging related to changing world orders, the growth of social media, the development of a single global economy and other attributes of the Anthropocene Era. For those of you with a serious interest in developing your epistemological stance, this is a very good foundational piece. Not required.

Druckman, D. & Donohue, W. (2020) Innovations in social science methodologies: An overview. American Behavioral Scientist 64(1):3-18. DOI: 10.1177/0002764219859623

Discussion of Ethics in Social Science Research"

Please read this very short (3 pages) discussion of the relationships between advances in data collection and analysis in the social sciences and the ethical requirements of human subjects research. Knight, J. (2019) The need for improved ethics guidelines in a changing research landscape. South African Journal of Science. 115(11/12), Art. 6349. DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2019/6349.

Materials on Your Topic

If you are unfamiliar with searching for peer reviewed research literature, consult this document. Where to Find Materials about Your Research Topic