AGR420 Research Philosophy and Methods (16)
CSU Discipline Area: Agricultural and Horticultural Studies (AGHOR)Agricultural and Horticultural Studies (AGHOR)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject will provide the students with a sound understanding of the major philosophies governing the development of knowledge as well as the methods, tools and techniques each of those methods use. It will also provide the students with a basis for identifying the appropriate methods to apply in particular situations faced in Agricultural Business and Resource Management and the ability to defend those choices. Students will then develop skills in designing a research project and in presenting their proposal to gain support from industry or research funding bodies.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2013.Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details prior to contacting their course coordinator: AGR420
Where differences exist between the handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
be able to discuss the major movements in the history of Western philosophy
be able to discuss and analyse the implications of those movements in pursuit of truth and reality
be able to analyse and infer the major philosophical bases to the process of inquiry which has arisen from Western philosophy
be able to define the characteristics of those major philosophical bases to inquiry and research
be able to give an account of their personal journeys as research trainees, relating their activities and outputs to their respective knowledge-and-skill sets
be able to analyse, and synthesize critical and useful methods relevant to research in rural management and rural science
be able to intelligently and logically select the appropriate methods from those available and current
be able to develop, plan, and implement a research study
be able to defend the planned study through an intelligently designed proposal
be able to effectively communicate the findings both in oral and written media
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
Research Philosophy Students will undertake a review of the major philosophical movements in Western thought from pre Socratic era to Sartre on the basis of looking at 'who are we?' and 'where did the world come from?' The questions will form the basis for the students to investigate Leibnizian, Lockean, Kantian, Hegelian and Singerian inquiry systems. The students will then have to extend that understanding of the inquiry systems into its application to research in Agricultural Business and Resource Management. Research Methods The students will study the research methods available to inquirers wishing to undertake research in the field of business and management. The students will then use the philosophical foundations of the research methods as the basis for evaluating alternative research methods and critiquing. Students will also develop research proposals using a number of methods and defend those proposals as well as define the manner in which the findings were derived.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.