Course for international guest/part time students

Faculty

Faculty of Education and Psychology

Organization

PPK Institute of Research on Adult Education and Knowledge Management

Code

HRCM21-102

Title

Theory of Science

Usual semester

Autumn

ECTS

2

Language

Learning outcomes

Students become able to deeply understand the basic elements of the scientific method, acquire the basic competencies needed to cultivate science, and will be able to distinguish between true scientific and non-scientific publications and knowledge. They also have the ability to provide conditions needed to cultivate science. Learning outcomes and competences Knowledge: Knowing the different interpretations of science. Knowing the strengths, limitations and usability of different measurement tools and methods. Knowing the different forms of scientific utterance: lecture, presentation, poster and publication.  Attitude: In the processes of understanding, a critical thinking and an attempt to analyze are typical. In he students’ professional communication they strive to act according to the norms. A value-based approach is typical, focusing on work as a creative activity. Skills: To be able to deeply understand the basic elements of the scientific method and be able to distinguish between true scientific and non-scientific publications and knowledge. To be able to produce an independent, professional scientific analysis on their own field. To be capable of effective written and oral communication, presenting the results of their work, and defending them in debate.

Course content

Main content and thematic units During the course, students will learn about different interpretations of science, especially as a way of cognition and other ways of getting acquainted with it. They will learn the gist of their interpretation as method, strengths, limitations, quality assurance methods (scientometrics), and various measurement tools and methods. Students will process the main elements of the scientific method: observation, experiment, reliability, consistency, validity. They will get a picture of the methods of cultivating science and providing conditions: lecture, publication and writing an application. They become acquainted with the basic thinking of the distinction between true and pseudoscience. Planned learning activities and teaching methods Lecture

Assessment method

Method of evaluation:  exam Aspects of evaluation: Colloquium based on the item list.

Bibliography

Dienes, Z. (2008): Understanding psychology as a science. Palgrave. ISBN 9780230542303

Programmes of the course