NURS 7009 - Philosophy of Inquiry

This is a survey course that addresses philosophical traditions, and how those traditions influence research methodologies in behavioral, social, and biobehavioral research. Students will investigate the interrelationships between philosophy, truth, and methodological perspectives, including post-positivism/empiricism, hermeneutics, constructivism, post-structuralism, and postcolonial approaches to knowledge development. Emphasis is placed on analyzing the underlying epistemological assumptions of each philosophical approach. The advantages and disadvantages of each epistemological perspective, and how those perspectives translate into research methodologies and methods, will be addressed. This course also focuses on developing argumentation skills, specifically the identification of textual claims, grounds, and warrants.