SCI 395: FIELD METHODOLOGY

This course is designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of the methodological and philosophical components of research. As an interdisciplinary, team taught course we will be exploring how the scientific methods guides the work of natural and social scientists from a variety of fields. For example, behavioral scientists rely on a variety of methods for making systematic observations regarding social behaviors. This course will provide a firm foundation in observational methods along with considerable practical application. Key topics may include devising coding schemes, training observes, and assessing reliability, as well as recording, representing, and analyzing observational data. The natural and social sciences will also highlight a variety of field methods that can be utilized in a natural setting.