Intro

An overview of both the course and the field of research methods. 

Topics

• Why do we need research methods (and a course in it)? 

• What are we trying to do? What are research methods for?

• Concepts of causality, explanation, bullshit and theory

• Epistemological currents

• Is a separate science of man needed? Or could the social sciences be folded under biology? 

Readings

• Reynolds, P.C. 1991. "Bloody Stumps" in Stealing Fire:  The Atomic Bomb as Symbolic Body. Iconic  Anthropology Press. [yes, there is a reason i'm having you read this!]

  • also read the Introduction

• Gilovich, T. 1991. How we know what isn't so. Free Press. [read chapters 1 and 2; a brilliant book]

• NPR. fake news;   PocketWorthy. misinformation

• Wikipedia. Epistemology. [skim this] 

• Wikipedia. Frankfurt's take on Bullshit. Chatgpt summary.

• Shadish, W, Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T., 2002. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference. [read preface and ch 1]

Class notes

• intro

Miscellaneous

• Excellent videos on theory of knowledge by Jennifer Nagel

Optional Readings

• Tversky and Kahneman. Cognitive biases [pdf]

A regression line