Challenge of the Social Sciences - Audio: Recent Episodes
The Open University
This course focuses on two interlinked issues: the philosophical questions that arise in social science research, and research methods. Social inquiry attempts to take a scientific approach to explaining the complexity of everyday experiences, but in practice there are many pitfalls. The course reviews common issues that arise, including language, culture, survey methods and the problems of distinguishing between facts and values, understanding and explanation, theory and observation, and induction and deduction. The central tenet is that philosophical thinking and practical research go hand in hand. This material is taken from The Open University Course D820 The Challenge of the Social Sciences.
Professor Chris Hamnett discusses his study of housing issues and its relevance to social scientists.
Transcript -- Professor Chris Hamnett discusses his study of housing issues and its relevance to social scientists.
Transcript -- Lila Baker from Shelter discusses the impact of policymaking on housing issues.
Stephen talks about the concept of science, how it has changed over the centuries, and its link to theology.
Transcript -- Stephen talks about the concept of science, how it has changed over the centuries, and its link to theology.
Transcript -- Professor Andrew Sayer discusses the purpose and method of social science.