Introduction to Realist Philosophy of Science
  • Type Certification
  • Level Advanced
  • Cost Paid

Introduction to Realist Philosophy of Science

Issued by Charles Darwin University

Module introduces: key terminology in realist research and difference from common meanings; assumptions about nature of reality and knowledge underpinning realist evaluation, realist literature review and other realist research; key differences between realist, empiricist and constructivist philosophies of research; realist understanding of causation and heuristic for causation; differences between realist and other forms of program theory; structure of realist research and evaluation questions.

  • Type Certification
  • Level Advanced
  • Cost Paid

Skills

Earning Criteria

  • Viewing of two pre-recorded lectures: Key concepts in realist evaluation; Program theory and realist program theory.
  • Required reading: Gullickson, AM (2020) The whole elephant: Defining evaluation (Article); Pawson R and Tilley N, (2004), Realistic Evaluation (chapter); Westhorp (2014) Realist impact evaluation: An introduction.
  • Interactive workshops exploring key aspects of a realist philosophy of science. Learning activity: Writing realist questions. Participants select one program to be evaluated OR one topic to be investigated through a realist review OR one realist research topic. Participants write an overarching question and sub-questions to guide a realist evaluation or realist research.
  • 2000 word essay. Option 1: Select issue of interest/concern in research into, or evaluation of an area of work/intended area of work. Critically analyse & explain the implications of taking a realist approach to that issue. Suggest & justify strategies you would use to overcome any difficulties. Option 2: Describe & analyse ONE debate on the implications of realist philosophy for research & evaluation relevant to your area of work/interest. Justify your own position in relation to that debate.

Standards

CDU Higher Education Accreditation (AQF)
A rubric for assessment has been developed based on CDU standards for grading of assignments and is provided to all students.
Rameses Standards
The Rameses standards for realist evaluation and realist review, and their associated learning materials, are used as the standard for understanding of realist principles.