An overview of the course, an introduction to the research enterprise, and a discussion of epistemological and paradigmatic issues.

Check the schedule and the modules page to view the course as a whole.

Topics

• Course overview and logistics

• Why we need research methods

• The research process

• Design patterns of research

• vectors and matrices

• Epistemologies, paradigm wars, definitions of science

Handouts

• Borgatti. The Research Process [html]
• Trochim. Philosophy of research. [php]
• Some definitions of science. [html]
• What is science? [html]
• Borgatti. How to read a journal article [html]

Quotes

• “The work of the behavioral scientist might well become methodologically sounder if only he did not try so hard to be so scientific!”  -- Abraham Kaplan 1998. The Conduct of Inquiry.

Bibliography

• paradigms & epistemologies

Articles

• Schweizer, T. "Epistemology." In Bernard (ed) 1998. Handbook of Methods in Cultural Anthropology. [pdf]
• Reynolds, P.C. (1991). "Bloody Stumps" in Stealing Fire:  The Atomic Bomb as Symbolic Body. Palo Alto, CA: Iconic  Anthropology Press.  [pdf] // read & reflect on why research methods are needed

Points of discussion

• Is a separate science of man needed? or could the social sciences be folded under biology?

Links

• An argument for positivism
• Evidence that the US educational system has completely broken down: Miss Carolina in the Miss Teen USA pageant [video]
• Images of science