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2016/2017  KAN-CSIEO2024U  Making Social Science Matter

English Title
Making Social Science Matter

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Fourth Quarter, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for MSc of Social Science
Course coordinator
  • Robin Holt - MPP
Main academic disciplines
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Last updated on 01-02-2017
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Understand what social science is and why social science matters
  • Understand historical developments and key debates in social science
  • Understand the relationship and tensions between social science practice and business and management research.
  • Be aware of a range of different approaches to what constitutes ‘good’ research in business and management
  • Be familiar with debates about the purpose and relevance of business and management research and the processes of knowledge creation and dissemination into managerial practice
  • Have a critical awareness of the influence of politics and ethics on business and management research
  • Critically understand the idea and process of theory building
  • Critically understand the nature of evidence and its 'collection'
Examination
Making Social Science Matter:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Oral group exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 2-5
Size of written product Max. 45 pages
In groups with 2 students max. 30 pages, 3 students max. 40 pages, 4-5 students max. 45 pages
Assignment type Project
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
15 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation time No preparation
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

Duration of oral exam:

2 persons group: 30 min

3 persons group: 45 min

4-5 persons group: 60 min
Course content and structure

Course content and structure

This course is grounded on a sustained reading of the book Making Social Science Matter by Bent Flyvbjerg in which he argues that rather than simply generate knowledge a la natural science, social science should consider what constitutes a good society and work towards that.

 

Consideration will also be given throughout to the nature of method in social science research, with an emphasis on business and management research. Emerging from the work of ethnographers such as Bruno Latour and Steve Woolgar, there are questions about the nature and role of ‘method’ in the creation of social scientific results. These authors suggest that scientific work is embedded in wider literary and material backgrounds which legitimise particular realities, rather than a process of ‘discovering’ what is ‘out there’. Shifting from the focus on the discovery towards the accomplishment of what is ‘out there’ through competing statements, methods, and devices of scientific research, raises questions about the nature of truth and the role of politics in this process. It also questions the possibilities and costs for researchers to produce alternative results. 
Teaching methods
The teaching and learning strategy of the module is based around providing students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research in business and management settings. Sessions will involve discussions, studio work and lectures pertaining to key aspects of business and management as a social science and its broader relationship to humanities. The combined use of theoretical and practical sessions will contribute to preparing students to conduct research in business and management settings.

Both quantitative and qualitive approaches will be considered, with emphasis on setting the students research activities within the class, reviewing these, and so learning hands on. Case method research methods will feature prominently.
Student workload
Course activities (including preparation) 156 hours
Exam (including exam preparation) 50 hours
Expected literature

Flyvbjerg, B (2001) Making Social Science Matter. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

 

Flyvbjerg, B., Landman, T., Schram, S (eds) (2012) Real Social Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

Schatzki, T (2002) Social science in society, Inquiry, 45, 119-138 (critique of Flyvberg)

 

John Law, 2004, “After Method: Mess in Social Science Research”, Routledge, Oxon.
Last updated on 01-02-2017