Philosophy of Research (Social Sciences v Natural Sciences)

Summary

Dr. Gary Kerr, a social scientist at the University of Salford, reflects on his transition from a positivist scientific background in genetics and cell biology to his current qualitative research in sociology, focusing on science festivals. He discusses how his research paradigm shifted from viewing truth as an objective reality waiting to be discovered, to seeing knowledge as co-constructed through human interactions. By using ethnographic methods and semi-structured interviews, he seeks to understand the social dynamics of science festivals. Dr. Kerr concludes by noting the distinct challenges between science and social science PhDs.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Gary Kerr is a social scientist at the University of Salford.
• 🔍 Social science studies society, its functions, relationships, behaviors, and organization.
• 🧬 Dr. Kerr's first PhD was in genetics and cell biology, reflecting a shift in his academic focus.
• 🎭 His second PhD is in sociology, festival studies, and science communication, with a focus on science festivals.
• 🌐 As a 'recovering scientist,' Dr. Kerr's worldview has evolved from a positivist to a more constructivist perspective.
• 📊 Previously, he believed in an objective truth discovered through quantitative research.
• 📝 Now, as a social scientist, he sees truth as socially constructed through people's actions and thoughts.
• 🗣️ Dr. Kerr uses qualitative research methods, such as in-depth semi-structured interviews, to co-construct knowledge.
• 🌐 His research approach does not seek a generalizable truth but rather the meanings people construct.
• 🌍 Inspired by ethnography, Dr. Kerr spends time with science festivals worldwide to understand them from an insider's perspective.
• 🤔 Dr. Kerr finds it difficult to compare the challenges of doing a PhD in sciences versus social sciences, as both present unique difficulties.

Q & A

What is social science according to Dr. Gary Kerr?

Social science is the study of society, focusing on how society functions, relationships in their broadest sense, human behavior, interactions, and how society organizes itself.

What is the main focus of social research as described by Dr. Kerr?

Social research is about understanding the social world, making sense of social hierarchies, interactions, and behaviors.

What is Dr. Kerr’s academic background?

Dr. Kerr has a PhD in genetics and cell biology, and a second PhD in sociology, with a focus on festival studies and science communication.

How does Dr. Kerr describe his transition from a natural scientist to a social scientist?

Dr. Kerr refers to himself as a 'recovering scientist,' meaning his research paradigm shifted from a positivist view (objective truth) in laboratory science to a social constructivist approach in social research.

What does Dr. Kerr mean by 'positivist' in his previous scientific work?

In his laboratory science work, 'positivist' refers to the belief that objective truth exists independently and can be discovered through quantitative methods, where the researcher stands apart from the research.

How does Dr. Kerr’s ontology and epistemology differ as a social scientist?

As a social scientist, Dr. Kerr's ontology suggests that reality is made through people’s actions and thoughts, and his epistemology holds that truth emerges through social interaction, rather than being an external, discoverable reality.

What research methods does Dr. Kerr use as a qualitative researcher?

Dr. Kerr uses in-depth, semi-structured interviews to generate data. He believes that knowledge is co-constructed with research participants, and the data can include feelings and interpretations.

What role does ethnography play in Dr. Kerr’s research?

Dr. Kerr’s research is inspired by ethnography, where he works closely with science festivals in various capacities. This insider perspective helps him better understand how science festivals function and operate.

Why does Dr. Kerr believe it’s important to study as an insider in his field?

Dr. Kerr believes that studying as an insider allows him to interpret his data more effectively, as he gains insights and understanding that an outsider may not have.

Does Dr. Kerr think it is easier to do a PhD in the sciences or social sciences?

Dr. Kerr does not believe one is easier than the other, noting that both fields offer their own set of challenges and are not easily comparable.