This lecture introduces the philosophical foundations that underpin different methodological approaches in the social sciences. It explains how assumptions about what counts as knowledge, how social reality can be understood, and what constitutes valid evidence shape the choice of research methods. The session also highlights key contrasts among major methodological traditions and shows how these philosophical commitments influence research design, analysis, and the interpretation of findings.
Compulsory Reading (40pp):
- Jackson, Patrick Thaddeus. 2011. The Conduct of Inquiry in International Relations. Philosophy of Science and its Implications for the Study of World Politics. London and New York: Routledge. (Chapters 1 and 2)