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PH1000 – Epistemology, the Scientific Method and Research Ethics

Doctoral Business Administration

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Core Course

PH1000 – Epistemology, the Scientific Method and Research Ethics

Course Unit Code: PH1000

Type Of Unit: Core

Level of Course Unit: Doctoral

Year of Study: First year

Semester: Fall

Number of ECTS Credits: 10

Mode of Delivery

Face to Face

Prerequisites

None for holders of Master degree

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The course focuses on answering questions such as: What distinguishes scientific thinking from pre-scientific or non-scientific thinking? What is included in the concept of scientific understanding? Do the humanities and social sciences differ from the natural sciences in significant ways? If yes, do such differences have a bearing on the concepts of scientific thinking and scientific understanding? Starting out from such general issues, the course includes the study of conceptions of knowledge, truth, rationality and method and provides examples of ways in which these are applied in different branches of science. Classical philosophy of science with an emphasis on the quest for knowledge. What is empirical knowledge? – Standard criteria of what constitutes science. – The development of scientific theories. Scientific method: hypothetico-deductive testing, causal explanation, induction etc. – The quest for knowledge in the social sciences. – The quest for knowledge in the humanities. The doctoral student learns how to identify scientific questions and how to conduct a critical discussion about appropriate methods.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the students are expected to have:

  1. The capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis – the capacity to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations autonomously and critically
  2. The ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously and creatively
  3. The ability to review and evaluate research and other qualified tasks
  4. The ability to identify scientific questions and conduct a critical discussion about appropriate methods
  5. The ability to reflect on different types of scientific arguments, their scope, and significance.
  6. The ability to distinguish scientific thinking from pre-scientific or non-scientific reasoning with reference to criteria
  7. The mind-set of observing moral rules and professional codes of conduct to the collection, analysis, reporting, and publication of information

  • Classical philosophy of science
  • What is empirical knowledge?
  • Standard criteria of what constitutes science
  • The development of scientific theories. The idea of theories as structures.
  • The scientific method
  • The quest for knowledge in the social sciences and the humanities.
  • Research ethics

Course Features

Lectures; reading and research; Class debate
Assignment & in-class presentation

Readings

Nola, R. and H. Sankey, 2007, Theories of Scientific Method, Stocksfield: Acumen.
Gimbel, S., 2011, Exploring the Scientific Method, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Laudan, L., 1968, “Theories of scientific method from Plato to Mach”, History of Science, 7(1): 1–63.
Lenhard, J., 2006, “Models and statistical inference: The controversy between Fisher and Neyman-Pearson”, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 57(1): 69–91
Holmes, F.L., 1987, “Scientific writing and scientific discovery”, Isis, 78(2): 220–235.
Kuhn, Thomas. “The Essential Tension: Tradition and Innovation in Scientific Research.” Ed.
Richard Boyd, Philip Gasper, & J.D. Trout. The Philosophy of Science. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1991.
Popper, K.R., 1959, The Logic of Scientific Discovery, London: Routledge, 2002
–––, 1963, Conjectures and Refutations, London: Routledge, 2002.
Fisher, R.A., 1955, “Statistical Methods and Scientific Induction”, Journal of The Royal Statistical Society. Series B (Methodological), 17(1): 69–78.
Rudolph, J.L., 2005, “Epistemology for the masses: The origin of ‘The Scientific Method’ in American Schools”, History of Education Quarterly, 45(3): 341–376
Schickore, J., 2008, “Doing science, writing science”, Philosophy of Science, 75: 323–343.
Shamoo, A.E. and D.B. Resnik, 2009, Responsible Conduct of Research, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Suppe, F., 1998, “The Structure of a Scientific Paper”, Philosophy of Science, 65(3): 381–405.
Winsberg, E., 2010, Science in the Age of Computer Simulation, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Five Principles for Research Ethics (American Psychological Association)
The Research Ethics Guidebook: a Resource for Social Scientists (The Economic and Social Research Council, UK)
Ethical Guidelines for Good Research Practice (Association of Social Anthropologists, UK)

Call Center

CYPRUS

GREECE

INTERNATIONAL

Request Information Request Information ⟶

Informed Consent Form

Dear Participant,

You are invited to participate in a survey as part of the DiFiCy – Digital Transformation and FinTech: Shaping Cyprus’s Economy research project which is implemented by the University of Limassol, PwC Cyprus and Unity Growth Limited.

The project is co-funded by the European Union within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027” through the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) in Cyprus [Pr. number: EXCELLENCE/0524/0568].

The study has been approved by the National Bioethics Committee of Cyprus (Approval no.: EEBK EΠ 2025.01.19 )

This project explores digital transformation and FinTech adoption in Cyprus, with a particular focus on SMEs and the broader business ecosystem. It uses a mixed-methods research design, combining survey data with interviews and case study evidence to generate evidence-based insights for policymakers and businesses.

Before deciding whether to participate, please read the following information carefully.

Purpose of Participation

The purpose of this research is to better understand the drivers, challenges, and impacts of digital transformation and FinTech adoption in Cyprus. The findings aim to support evidence-based policymaking, strengthen business practices, and contribute to innovation and economic development.

Your participation involves the following:

Completion of this survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes.

Invitation to take part in an optional interview.

Contribution to a case study or discussion session at a later stage.

Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you are free to decline or withdraw at any time without any consequences.

If you wish to withdraw from the study after submitting your responses, you may do so by contacting the Project Coordinator.

Data Confidentiality and Usage

All data collected will be handled in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Cyprus Data Protection Law (125(I)/2018).

Your data will be treated confidentially, pseudonymised and anonymised, and no personally identifiable information will be disclosed. Data will be securely stored and accessed only by authorised members of the research team. In some cases, qualitative data may be processed using machine learning techniques, such as keyword identification or pattern detection, strictly to support analysis; however, all interpretation and conclusions will be made by the researchers.

Aggregated and anonymised findings derived from the data (e.g., statistical summaries, graphs, and thematic insights) may be used for dissemination activities, including scientific publications, policy reports, infographics, and training materials. These outputs will not contain any information that could directly or indirectly identify participants or their organisations.

Anonymised data may be shared publicly after a 24-month embargo period, while raw or sensitive data will not be publicly available. Access to raw or sensitive data will be granted only upon justified request and consortium approval.

Your participation in this study does not involve any risks.

On the contrary, your contribution may help improve digital and FinTech policies, support SME development and innovation strategies, and enhance the overall business environment in Cyprus.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, withdraw requests or complaints, please contact the Project Coordinator, Dr. Snezana Eminidou. Please include “DiFiCy Survey” in the subject line.

Email: snezana@uol.ac.cy

Phone number: +357 22462228

Partnership:

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this research.

The project is co-funded by the EU within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027” through the Research and Innovation Foundation. [Pr. no. EXCELLENCE/0524/0568]. The content reflects the views of the author(s) only. The European Commission and the Managing Authority of THALIA 2021–2027 cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.