1. content At this course we will reflect on what science is, and examine the different views about the scientific method and about scientific explanations, as well as scientific progress. Furthermore we will understand and practice how to conduct scientific research by planning a research study and identifying the correct method. In this line, we will learn both quantitative and qualitative analyses. As far as qualitative is concerned, students will be introduced to the major forms of qualitative data collection and analysis, with a deep dive into collecting and analyzing interview data. As far as quantitative is concerned, students will be introduced to learn existing data in sustainability, understand differences across types of data and relative analyses, with a deep dive into collecting and analyzing survey data.
Finally, we will learn how to critically interpret the emerging analysis and how to report it in order to correctly inform real-world action. Indeed, we will also put emphasis on the importance of communication to ensure the content is understood by potential stakeholders.
This course will not provide students with detailed technical solutions on how to implement empirical research, but will equip them with the needed understanding to i) understand the body of science produced by the academic community, ii) assess the validity of existing reports and studies, and iii) interact with researchers to implement empirical analysis. This is particularly relevant in times in which it is more and more required of firms and stakeholder to track sustainability advancements and measure their impacts.
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