PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

This course develops a deep understanding of the philosophical foundations underlying scientific inquiry in business, economics, and information technology. Students will critically examine ontology, epistemology, logic, paradigms, methodology, and axiology, and learn how these dimensions structure research design.

The course moves beyond basic positivism vs interpretivism and instead builds a multi-quadrant meta-framework connecting:

• Rationalism

• Empiricism

• Positivism (classical & logical)

• Phenomenology

• Hermeneutics

• Critical Rationalism

The focus is philosophical coherence, research alignment, and strategic data decisions.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1.  Critically distinguish between ontological positions (realism vs relativism).

2.  Explain epistemological foundations (a priori vs a posteriori).

3.   Apply deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning appropriately.

4.   Align philosophical assumptions with research methodology.

5.  Design philosophically consistent research strategies.

6.   Evaluate research quality using validity, reliability, and falsifiability.

7.   Construct advanced meta-text for thesis-level research.