The section describing the applied method forms an integral part of the problem oriented project and includes its methodological and theoretical considerations. Most new university students have no previous knowledge of the topic philosophy of science. Therefore, many students feel that using philosophy of science is what distinguishes the problem oriented project work conducted at the university from any project work they may have conducted during previous education programmes.
During your first semesters at the University, you will be taught philosophy of science. You will be introduced to the basic issues of philosophy of science (epistemology, methodology) and a range of fields within philosophy of science which are essential to the discussion of science within various academic traditions related to Communication and Digital Media. The following will provide you with a short general introduction to philosophy of science and a basic understanding of the topic’s relevance to you as a student.
WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE?
Philosophy of science is a philosophical discipline which engages in the study of the methods, standards and backgrounds of sciences. In other words, philosophy of science is a number of theories on what science is and should be. This means that the various fields within philosophy of science are all based on different ontological understandings (the study of that which exists and how it exists) and epistemological bases (the theory of knowledge or the study of the various assumptions of the world which inflict the way in which we produce knowledge). During your bachelor’s programme you will focus particularly on philosophy of science.
However, the philosophical discipline is not applied as a discipline in its own right but as a discipline “in use” – it is applied to the discussion of the particular fields existing within communication and digital media. Thus, applying philosophy of science means creating cohesion between your selected problem (formulation), the methods and theories used for addressing this problem and the conclusions drawn from this.
WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE?
Including philosophy of science in your project enables your project to reach an acceptable academic level. Science is not just science. In your project, you must therefore reflect on what it means that you have created new knowledge – and on which grounds this is done.