Foundations of social research 3502-PBS

The aim of the subject 'foundations of social research' is to teach students the basic notions and elementary rules of sociological methodology. The language of philosophy of science is used to discuss a sociological research, however sociological and psychological dimension of scientific study are also brought to light. The cognitive and social functions of scientific knowledge are presented. Four main topics are reviewed at lectures and classes, namely concept of science, process and rules of scientific study, the structure and functions of scientific knowledge, and basic philosophical controversies related to social science. The topics listed above are explained at lectures and meeting with students, as these two didactic forms are regarded parallel and are coordinated. Students are obliged to read the relevant methodological literature to understand general issues. Moreover they study some interesting empirical solutions of technical problems to learn about challenges and traps faced during sociological research. Students are expected to be aquatinted with exemplary solutions of these problems.