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Research Philosophy & Paradigms

Positivism, Interpretivism & Pragmatism, Explained Simply

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | June 2023

Research philosophy is one of those things that students tend to either gloss over or become utterly confused by when undertaking formal academic research for the first time. And understandably so – it’s all rather fluffy and conceptual. However, understanding the philosophical underpinnings of your research is genuinely important as it directly impacts how you develop your research methodology.

In this post, we’ll explain what research philosophy is , what the main research paradigms  are and how these play out in the real world, using loads of practical examples . To keep this all as digestible as possible, we are admittedly going to simplify things somewhat and we’re not going to dive into the finer details such as ontology, epistemology and axiology (we’ll save those brain benders for another post!). Nevertheless, this post should set you up with a solid foundational understanding of what research philosophy and research paradigms are, and what they mean for your project.

Overview: Research Philosophy

  • What is a research philosophy or paradigm ?
  • Positivism 101
  • Interpretivism 101
  • Pragmatism 101
  • Choosing your research philosophy

What is a research philosophy or paradigm?

Research philosophy and research paradigm are terms that tend to be used pretty loosely, even interchangeably. Broadly speaking, they both refer to the set of beliefs, assumptions, and principles that underlie the way you approach your study (whether that’s a dissertation, thesis or any other sort of academic research project).

For example, one philosophical assumption could be that there is an external reality that exists independent of our perceptions (i.e., an objective reality), whereas an alternative assumption could be that reality is constructed by the observer (i.e., a subjective reality). Naturally, these assumptions have quite an impact on how you approach your study (more on this later…).

The research philosophy and research paradigm also encapsulate the nature of the knowledge that you seek to obtain by undertaking your study. In other words, your philosophy reflects what sort of knowledge and insight you believe you can realistically gain by undertaking your research project. For example, you might expect to find a concrete, absolute type of answer to your research question , or you might anticipate that things will turn out to be more nuanced and less directly calculable and measurable . Put another way, it’s about whether you expect “hard”, clean answers or softer, more opaque ones.

So, what’s the difference between research philosophy and paradigm?

Well, it depends on who you ask. Different textbooks will present slightly different definitions, with some saying that philosophy is about the researcher themselves while the paradigm is about the approach to the study . Others will use the two terms interchangeably. And others will say that the research philosophy is the top-level category and paradigms are the pre-packaged combinations of philosophical assumptions and expectations.

To keep things simple in this video, we’ll avoid getting tangled up in the terminology and rather focus on the shared focus of both these terms – that is that they both describe (or at least involve) the set of beliefs, assumptions, and principles that underlie the way you approach your study .

Importantly, your research philosophy and/or paradigm form the foundation of your study . More specifically, they will have a direct influence on your research methodology , including your research design , the data collection and analysis techniques you adopt, and of course, how you interpret your results. So, it’s important to understand the philosophy that underlies your research to ensure that the rest of your methodological decisions are well-aligned .

Research philosophy describes the set of beliefs, assumptions, and principles that underlie the way you approach your study.

So, what are the options?

We’ll be straight with you – research philosophy is a rabbit hole (as with anything philosophy-related) and, as a result, there are many different approaches (or paradigms) you can take, each with its own perspective on the nature of reality and knowledge . To keep things simple though, we’ll focus on the “big three”, namely positivism , interpretivism and pragmatism . Understanding these three is a solid starting point and, in many cases, will be all you need.

Paradigm 1: Positivism

When you think positivism, think hard sciences – physics, biology, astronomy, etc. Simply put, positivism is rooted in the belief that knowledge can be obtained through objective observations and measurements . In other words, the positivist philosophy assumes that answers can be found by carefully measuring and analysing data, particularly numerical data .

As a research paradigm, positivism typically manifests in methodologies that make use of quantitative data , and oftentimes (but not always) adopt experimental or quasi-experimental research designs. Quite often, the focus is on causal relationships – in other words, understanding which variables affect other variables, in what way and to what extent. As a result, studies with a positivist research philosophy typically aim for objectivity, generalisability and replicability of findings.

Let’s look at an example of positivism to make things a little more tangible.

Assume you wanted to investigate the relationship between a particular dietary supplement and weight loss. In this case, you could design a randomised controlled trial (RCT) where you assign participants to either a control group (who do not receive the supplement) or an intervention group (who do receive the supplement). With this design in place, you could measure each participant’s weight before and after the study and then use various quantitative analysis methods to assess whether there’s a statistically significant difference in weight loss between the two groups. By doing so, you could infer a causal relationship between the dietary supplement and weight loss, based on objective measurements and rigorous experimental design.

As you can see in this example, the underlying assumptions and beliefs revolve around the viewpoint that knowledge and insight can be obtained through carefully controlling the environment, manipulating variables and analysing the resulting numerical data . Therefore, this sort of study would adopt a positivistic research philosophy. This is quite common for studies within the hard sciences – so much so that research philosophy is often just assumed to be positivistic and there’s no discussion of it within the methodology section of a dissertation or thesis.

Positivism is rooted in the belief that knowledge can be obtained through objective observations and measurements of an external reality.

Paradigm 2: Interpretivism

 If you can imagine a spectrum of research paradigms, interpretivism would sit more or less on the opposite side of the spectrum from positivism. Essentially, interpretivism takes the position that reality is socially constructed . In other words, that reality is subjective , and is constructed by the observer through their experience of it , rather than being independent of the observer (which, if you recall, is what positivism assumes).

The interpretivist paradigm typically underlies studies where the research aims involve attempting to understand the meanings and interpretations that people assign to their experiences. An interpretivistic philosophy also typically manifests in the adoption of a qualitative methodology , relying on data collection methods such as interviews , observations , and textual analysis . These types of studies commonly explore complex social phenomena and individual perspectives, which are naturally more subjective and nuanced.

Let’s look at an example of the interpretivist approach in action:

Assume that you’re interested in understanding the experiences of individuals suffering from chronic pain. In this case, you might conduct in-depth interviews with a group of participants and ask open-ended questions about their pain, its impact on their lives, coping strategies, and their overall experience and perceptions of living with pain. You would then transcribe those interviews and analyse the transcripts, using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns. Based on that analysis, you’d be able to better understand the experiences of these individuals, thereby satisfying your original research aim.

As you can see in this example, the underlying assumptions and beliefs revolve around the viewpoint that insight can be obtained through engaging in conversation with and exploring the subjective experiences of people (as opposed to collecting numerical data and trying to measure and calculate it). Therefore, this sort of study would adopt an interpretivistic research philosophy. Ultimately, if you’re looking to understand people’s lived experiences , you have to operate on the assumption that knowledge can be generated by exploring people’s viewpoints, as subjective as they may be.

Interpretivism takes the position that reality is constructed by the observer through their experience of it, rather than being independent.

Paradigm 3: Pragmatism

Now that we’ve looked at the two opposing ends of the research philosophy spectrum – positivism and interpretivism, you can probably see that both of the positions have their merits , and that they both function as tools for different jobs . More specifically, they lend themselves to different types of research aims, objectives and research questions . But what happens when your study doesn’t fall into a clear-cut category and involves exploring both “hard” and “soft” phenomena? Enter pragmatism…

As the name suggests, pragmatism takes a more practical and flexible approach, focusing on the usefulness and applicability of research findings , rather than an all-or-nothing, mutually exclusive philosophical position. This allows you, as the researcher, to explore research aims that cross philosophical boundaries, using different perspectives for different aspects of the study .

With a pragmatic research paradigm, both quantitative and qualitative methods can play a part, depending on the research questions and the context of the study. This often manifests in studies that adopt a mixed-method approach , utilising a combination of different data types and analysis methods. Ultimately, the pragmatist adopts a problem-solving mindset , seeking practical ways to achieve diverse research aims.

Let’s look at an example of pragmatism in action:

Imagine that you want to investigate the effectiveness of a new teaching method in improving student learning outcomes. In this case, you might adopt a mixed-methods approach, which makes use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques. One part of your project could involve comparing standardised test results from an intervention group (students that received the new teaching method) and a control group (students that received the traditional teaching method). Additionally, you might conduct in-person interviews with a smaller group of students from both groups, to gather qualitative data on their perceptions and preferences regarding the respective teaching methods.

As you can see in this example, the pragmatist’s approach can incorporate both quantitative and qualitative data . This allows the researcher to develop a more holistic, comprehensive understanding of the teaching method’s efficacy and practical implications, with a synthesis of both types of data . Naturally, this type of insight is incredibly valuable in this case, as it’s essential to understand not just the impact of the teaching method on test results, but also on the students themselves!

Pragmatism takes a more flexible approach, focusing on the potential usefulness and applicability of the research findings.

Wrapping Up: Philosophies & Paradigms

Now that we’ve unpacked the “big three” research philosophies or paradigms – positivism, interpretivism and pragmatism, hopefully, you can see that research philosophy underlies all of the methodological decisions you’ll make in your study. In many ways, it’s less a case of you choosing your research philosophy and more a case of it choosing you (or at least, being revealed to you), based on the nature of your research aims and research questions .

  • Research philosophies and paradigms encapsulate the set of beliefs, assumptions, and principles that guide the way you, as the researcher, approach your study and develop your methodology.
  • Positivism is rooted in the belief that reality is independent of the observer, and consequently, that knowledge can be obtained through objective observations and measurements.
  • Interpretivism takes the (opposing) position that reality is subjectively constructed by the observer through their experience of it, rather than being an independent thing.
  • Pragmatism attempts to find a middle ground, focusing on the usefulness and applicability of research findings, rather than an all-or-nothing, mutually exclusive philosophical position.

If you’d like to learn more about research philosophy, research paradigms and research methodology more generally, be sure to check out the rest of the Grad Coach blog . Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help with your research, consider our private coaching service , where we guide you through each stage of the research journey, step by step.

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10 Comments

catherine

was very useful for me, I had no idea what a philosophy is, and what type of philosophy of my study. thank you

JOSHUA BWIRE

Thanks for this explanation, is so good for me

RUTERANA JOHNSON

You contributed much to my master thesis development and I wish to have again your support for PhD program through research.

sintayehu hailu

the way of you explanation very good keep it up/continuous just like this

David Kavuma

Very precise stuff. It has been of great use to me. It has greatly helped me to sharpen my PhD research project!

Francisca

Very clear and very helpful explanation above. I have clearly understand the explanation.

Binta

Very clear and useful. Thanks

Vivian Anagbonu

Thanks so much for your insightful explanations of the research philosophies that confuse me

Nigatu Kalse

I would like to thank Grad Coach TV or Youtube organizers and presenters. Since then, I have been able to learn a lot by finding very informative posts from them.

Ahmed Adumani

thank you so much for this valuable and explicit explanation,cheers

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Research Techniques for Computer Science, Information Systems and Cybersecurity pp 81–113 Cite as

Research Philosophy, Design and Methodology

  • Uche M. Mbanaso 4 ,
  • Lucienne Abrahams 5 &
  • Kennedy Chinedu Okafor 6  
  • First Online: 25 May 2023

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This chapter emphasizes that the researcher must be grounded in a clearly stated research philosophy, early in the research process. The chapter discusses ontology, epistemology, axiology, doxology and methodology and the characteristics and distinctiveness of each. Using a series of tables, we show how positivist approaches, interpretivist approaches and pragmatist and realist approaches can be applied in the fields of computer science, information systems and cybersecurity. The chapter offers a diagrammatic view of key elements in research design, with an accompanying explanation. The types of research design covered in this chapter include descriptive, experimental, comparative, causal-comparative, correlational and requirements engineering design, as well as design elements for observational studies, simulation studies and case studies. Quantitative data collection techniques, qualitative data collection techniques and mixed-methods approaches are introduced as the basis for a more detailed discussion in Chapter 7 .

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Philosophy research and writing: sample papers.

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Examples of Philosophical Writing

One of the most difficult things about writing philosophy papers as a new undergraduate is figuring out what a philosophy paper is supposed to look like! For many students here at Cal, a lower division philosophy class is the first experience they have with philosophical writing so when asked to write a paper it can be difficult to figure out exactly what a good paper would be. Below are a few examples of the kinds of papers you might be asked to write in a philosophy class here at Cal as well as the papers written by professional philosophers to which the sample papers are a response.

Precis Sample Paper

  • "War and Peace in Islam" by Bassam Tibi In this paper, Bassam Tibi explores the Islamic position on war and peace as understood through the Quran and its interpretations in Islamic history.
  • Max Deleon's Precis of Tibi on war and peace in Islam In this sample paper, Max Deleon, a former tutor at the university of Vermont gives a summary of an argument made by Bassam Tibi in his paper "War and Peace in Islam"

Critical Response to a Philosopher's Position

  • "In Defense of Mereological Universalism" by Michael C. Rea In this paper, Michael Rea defends the position in ontology known as mereological universalism which he defines as that position which holds that "for any set S of disjoint objects, there is an object that the members of S compose."
  • Max Deleon's critical response to Michael Rea on Mereological Universalism In lower division philosophy courses here at Cal, the most common type of paper that you will write will be one in which you are asked to respond to some given philosopher's position by uncovering some difficulty in that position. In this paper, Max Deleon critically examines Michael Rae's paper "In Defense of Mereological Universalism"

Exposition and Amending of Existing Philosopher's Position

  • "Against Moral Rationalism, Philippa Foot" in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy The section "Against moral Rationalism" in the article "Philippa Foot" from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy explores Foot's positions on moral motivation which Max Deleon deals with in the paper below.
  • Max Deleon's exposition and emendation of "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives" In this paper Max Deleon looks at Philippa Foot's argument from "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives," raises a few possible objections, and proposes emendations to Foot's position to respond to those objections.
  • "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives" by Philippa Foot One of the most influential paper in 20th century philosophy, Philippa Foot's "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Impreatives" tackles to dominant Kantian conception of the nature of morality and offers an alternative understanding of the nature of morality.
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  • Developing a Research Question

Understanding Your Assignment

Selecting and narrowing a topic, exercises for generating topics, constructing your research question.

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Before you select a topic or develop a research question, it is important to understand your assignment. Understanding your assignment from the outset will help you craft a re search question that you can adequately answer in the space and time allotted to you. In this section, we will look at some questions to ask when first decoding a prompt:  

  • What is the purpose of the assignment? Think about the goal of your assignment: Are you trying to persuade a reader? Explain an idea? Apply theories to a text? Tell a story? The purpose of your assignment will guide your research and writing.
  • What kind of writing am I doing? Look for words in the assignment that tell you about the type of writing you are being asked to produce. For example, there is a difference between being asked to summarize and being asked to analyze. Other verbs to look out for include, discuss, define, explain, evaluate, etc.
  • Who is my audience?  How will this affect the tone and content of my paper? What are the conventions of the discipline within which I am working?
  • What is the scope of the assignment? Determine what the purpose of the paper will be and how much ground you will need to cover. How many topics will you be looking at? How long should the paper be?
  • What is the topic of the assignment? Has the professor given you a specific topic? Will you need to find your own?
  • What are the requirements of the assignment? Familiarize yourself with the criteria of the prompt. It is easy to forget about details like number/types of sources, word counts, and formatting guidelines. Look at these early on so that you can better plan for the content and scope of your project.
  • Ask for clarification. Reach out to your professor, other instructors,  Writing Tutorial Services (WTS) , or the Learning Commons Research Desk , for assistance with understanding and getting started on an assignment.

Video: Understanding Assignments . UNC Writing Center (2018)

Adapted from: Swarthmore Writing Associates Program,  Understanding Your Assignment  (2023); Grinnell College,  Choosing A Research Topic ; The University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center,  Understanding Your Assignment .

In some cases, an instructor may assign you a topic or a list of topics. In other cases, you might be asked to generate a topic on your own. An assignment may also fall somewhere between these two cases, asking you to pick a narrower topic from a broader one. In this section we will talk about strategies for selecting a topic that both interests you and helps you develop a research question. 

  • Think about the scope and content requirements of your assignment.
  • Consider topics or units which have come up in class.
  • Was there a reading you really enjoyed? A lecture that stuck with you? If you’re excited about your topic, others will be too! Plus, your research will be much more fun. 
  • Do you feel a personal or academic connection to any specific topic?
  • Generate a list of subtopics that relate to the broader topic.
  • Look at your class notes and syllabus for themes.
  • Find an interesting text on IUCAT , Indiana University's Library Catalog.
  • Scroll down on the catalog page to find the subject headings for this text, which may contain more specific topics of interest to you. Below is an example of subject headings for  Shadowlines: Women and Borders in Contemporary Asia :

Subject Headings: Women-Asian-Social Conditions-21st century; Women-Political activity-Asia; Sex role and globalization-Asia; Postcolonialism.

Video:   Picking a Topic is Research . University of Houston Libraries (2020).

Adapted from: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Choosing a Topic .

In this section we will discuss some exercises designed to help you generate topics for your paper:

  • Brainstorm with classmates, friends, and professors. This can help you develop ideas and explore topics you might not have considered on your own. 
  • Explore non-peer reviewed sources such as newspapers , blogs, and magazines. Looking at current events can help you identify topics that interest you and explore subtopics within those areas.
  • Free-write about the broader topic: Set a time limit and write about your topic. Even if you feel as though you have nothing else to say, keep writing! When you’re done, read over the text and look for patterns in your thoughts, ideas that stick out, and anything of interest that you want to explore some more.
  • Concept map : A concept map is a visual way to organize your thoughts and make connections between ideas. They can take the form of charts, graphic organizers, tables, flowcharts, Venn Diagrams, timelines, or T-charts. Concept mapping is similar to visual mapping, visual webbing, and mind mapping. You can draw a concept map on a piece of paper, reserve a space at the library to use a whiteboard, or use these websites to create concepts maps online: Miro , TheBrain , Lucidchart , Coggle . Below are concept maps for "Concept Mapping" and a "Personal Philosophy of Online Learning":

Chart :  Concept Mapping Concept Map . Teton Science Schools (TSS). This concept map depicts ideas related to the concept mapping technique.

Concept map of a personal philosophy for online learning.

Chart:  Personal philosophy concept map and rationale . Myles’ Blog (2016).

In the video below, English Literature PhD student Lucy Hargrave explains how graduate students in the humanities can use concept maps to help them organize their thoughts and notes:

Video:  How I Use MindMaps as a PhD Student: Organising my Research Notes . Lucy Hargrave (2021).

Now that you have narrowed down your topic, let's turn that topic into a research question. In this section we will talk about how to develop a question that sets you up for success. Keep in mind that your question may change as you gather more information and start writing—this is okay! Having a sense of your direction from the outset can help you evaluate sources and identify relevant information during the research process.

Explore your topic

  • Return to some of the articles/sources that you discussed in class or that you found when researching your topic—what questions do these sources raise? What are other researchers in this area writing about?
  • Ask open-ended “how” and “why” questions about your topic.
  • Consider the “so what?” of your topic. Why does this topic matter to you? Why should it matter to others?
  • What would you like to know more about? What do you think your audience would like to learn about?
  • Think about the value of focusing on a specific period of time, geographic location, organization, or group of people. Narrowing the scope of your paper can make it easier to find sources and develop a strong, concise argument.
  • What do you want to say in your assignment? What are the key points and arguments that you want to get across? Which subtopic, timeframe, or other limitation would allow you to make these points in the most effective way?
  • Try filling out a worksheet  to organize your thoughts.

Pick One Research Question

Evaluate the questions you’ve asked and pick one that speaks to you. If there are a few questions that interest you, focus and tailor their components into a singular research question which you can address in the space and time allotted for your paper. Consider the wording of the question and the scope of the assignment. A good research question is clear, focused, and has an appropriate level of complexity. Developing a strong question is a process, so you will likely refine your question as you continue to research and to develop your ideas. Use the following guidelines to evaluate whether or your question will be appropriate for your assignment:

Clarity. Is your question clear? Do you have a specific aspect of your general topic that you are going to explore further? 

Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful sometimes? Clear: How are online users experiencing privacy issues on the social networking sites Facebook and TikTok?

Focus. Is your question focused? Will you be able to cover the topic adequately in the space available? 

Unfocused: How are Asian Americans represented in the media? Focused: How do television advertisements in the United States perpetuate the model minority stereotype?

Complexity. Is your question sufficiently complex? Can your question be answered with a simple yes/no response or does it requires research and analysis?

Too simple: Did COVID-19 affect parents? Appropriately Complex: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the mental health and work-life balance of teleworking parents with young children?

Video:   Developing a Research Question . Laurier Library (2017).

Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center,  How to Write a Research Question  (2008); Monash University Library,  Developing research questions .

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Philosophy Research Guide

Introduction, reference essays (from encyclopedias & dictionaries), scholarly books, scholarly journal articles (search databases), philosophy: professional associations.

  • Ethics in Business (PHIL 160, etc.)
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This guide will help you find published scholarship (essays, books, chapters, journal articles, etc.) and primary sources on a topic.

  • Choose a topic that interests you and fits within your assignment's parameters.
  • Read good summaries of the topic in subject encyclopedias, like those listed below, to gain a basic overview of your topic.
  • Search for published scholarship in library discovery systems, catalogs, databases, research organization websites, etc.
  • Identify primary source material (e. g. documents, records, artifacts, surveys, data, etc.) through your scholarly readings, and by searching or browsing the digital collections of libraries, archives, museums, and other scholarly organizations.

Remember to evaluate the accuracy of your sources, and think critically about their content and arguments.

For remote login to the Library's electronic resources, see our instructions for Off-Campus Access .

Remember to consult with your instructor in the Philosophy Department about your project!

Subject encyclopedias and other reference guides can provide good background information on a topic. Many reference books are in printed format, while others are available in electronic resource collections such as:

Gale eBooks (formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library)

Oxford Reference

Biographies

The series provides reliable information on authors and their works in an easy-to-understand, engaging format while placing writers in the larger perspective of literary history.

Users may experience linking issues. We are working with the vendor to resolve this as soon as possible. Should you have any questions, please email us at  [email protected] or Open a ticket . 

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  • Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy Edited by Dr. James Fieser & Dr. Bradley Dowden.

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  • Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Abstracts/Articles

This database is an essential resource for religious and theological studies, providing bibliographic records covering topics such as biblical studies, world religions, church history, and religion in social issues.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch . 

Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. Please sign to QC Library when prompted to browse articles within the Queens College Library collections.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch . 

Remote access to Google Scholar may not always work. In such cases we advise that you follow the steps below or review the FAQ on Google Scholar

How to access QC subscribed articles via Google Scholar: 1.Access Google Scholar via the un-proxied version: Google Scholar 2. From the Menu Icon on the Top Left select Settings then Library Links 3. In Library Links, search for Queens College then select "Queens College --> Fulltext at QC" 4. SAVE and return to the Google Scholar Homepage 5. You should be able to search for articles. When you see the "Queens College --> Fulltext at QC", select to either be re-directed to the Library Catalogue, OneSearch or asked to login to the library proxy in order to access articles. 6. Please review the FAQ on logging into the library proxy. Should you have any additional questions, please contact our Electronic Resources Librarian by completing the Electronic Resources Access Form.

E-Journals

Humanities Source is a valuable full-text database covering literary, scholarly, and creative thought.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch .

E-Books

JSTOR is a multi-disciplinary collection of scholarly journals and e-books that include primary sources, images, and more.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch . 

JSTOR provided expanded access during the pandemic (June 2020-June 2023). Expanded access expires on June 30, 2023. CUNY will reinstate that access beginning in January 2024.You may review the Electronic Resources Status Dashboard for updates. Questions? Email: [email protected] or Open a Ticket!

The resource provides researchers with unbounding literary resources to support their literary responses, literary analysis, and thesis statements through a diversity of scholars and critics that ensure all views and interpretations are represented.

Digital collection of more than 520 volumes of Greek and Latin texts alongside English translations.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch . 

MagillOnLiterature Plus is the definitive source for editorially reviewed critical analyses, character studies, author biographies, and plot summaries of the most studied literary works.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch . 

MLA International Bibliography Produced by the Modern Language Association (MLA), the electronic version of the bibliography dates back to the 1920s and contains millions of citations from journals and series, as well as book publishers.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch . 

This current and comprehensive bibliographic database covers scholarly research in all major fields of philosophy.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch . 

Collection of scholarly journals and e-books, primarily in the humanities and social sciences.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch

Collection of journals and e-books, with a strong emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, medicine) content.  Catalogue Link: OneSearch .

What is a scholarly journal article?

A scholarly journal article is written by a scholar or an expert, and provides a detailed analysis of a topic. It is written in the specialized language of a scholarly discipline (such as Philosophy). It documents the resources the writer used by providing bibliographic citations such as footnotes, endnotes, and bibliography so a reader can check or repeat the research the scholar has completed.

A scholarly journal is edited by scholars, and any article published in the journal has usually been approved by the author's peers or by referees (other scholars expert in the subject who serve as editors or readers and critique the article before it is accepted for publication). This is why most scholarly journals are referred to as a Peer-Reviewed or Refereed journals. Here is a comparison between  popular and scholarly  periodicals. There are usually several databases that can be used to search for journal articles on a topic.

  • American Philosophical Association
  • British Philosophical Association
  • Canadian Philosophical Association
  • International Association for Philosohy and Literature
  • Royal Institute of Philosophy
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Philosophy of Research

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(2017). Philosophy of Research. Project Planner . 10.4135/9781526408495.

. "Philosophy of Research". Project Planner , 2017. 10.4135/9781526408495.

. 2017. 'Philosophy of Research', Project Planner [online]., [Accessed 17 February 2024], doi: 10.4135/9781526408495.

. "Philosophy of Research". Project Planner , 2017. SAGE Research Methods. 10.4135/9781526408495. 17 Feb. 2024

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  • Defining a Topic
  • Reviewing the Literature
  • Developing a Researchable Question
  • Research Design
  • Planning and Practicalities
  • Research Ethics
  • Data Collection
  • Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Dissemination

Introduction

  • Publication year: 2017
  • DOI: https:// doi. org/10.4135/9781526408495
  • Online ISBN: 9781526408495 More information Less information

(2017). Introduction. Project Planner . 10.4135/9781526408495.

. "Introduction". Project Planner , 2017. 10.4135/9781526408495.

. 2017. 'Introduction', Project Planner [online]., [Accessed 17 February 2024], doi: 10.4135/9781526408495.

. "Introduction". Project Planner , 2017. SAGE Research Methods. 10.4135/9781526408495. 17 Feb. 2024

This stage will:

  • Explain the philosophy of research
  • Provide an overview of methodology and methods
  • Explain research traditions and different schools of thought

This section deals with the philosophy of research and research methodology. Methodology underpins all the work you do. These are important concepts which need to be understood, but they’re one of the areas people find most challenging, so don’t worry if they don’t sink in right away. Read the section and see which concepts are familiar to you. Identify other things that are new to you—you can return to this section at any time throughout your project.

Why Do Research?

What’s the difference between methodology and methods, what are ontology and epistemology, do all social scientists use the same methodology, what other terms might i encounter when learning about methodology, what role does theory play in social science research, how do theory and my methodological position affect the methods i choose, what’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods, are there disciplinary traditions i should know about, what research traditions exist in my discipline, checklist: things to think about before you start your research.

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Library Subject Guides

Philosophy: assignment research.

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Introduction

This guide to basic assignment research outlines a simple but effective approach to finding information for your assignment. It is based on the resources described elsewhere in this subject guide and on the UC Library web site. Depending on your topic and your level of study, you may need to rearrange or review these steps where necessary

Check the rest of this subject guide carefully for additional subject resources and, where available, appropriate topic guides

  • Keenious An artificial intelligence tool that searches for literature by analysing your writing. Add-ons for Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
  • Learn to use the library Workshops and online tutorials from the UC Library.

1. Define your topic

philosophy research assignment

It might seem obvious, but the first step is to make sure you understand the topic.

1) Identify the main concepts or keywords in your question to help you develop a search strategy.

2) Work out why the topic is being been offered. Is it:

controversial ? complicated? what makes the topic interesting?

2. Gather background information

Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find definitions and background information. Articles from specialized subject encyclopedias are authoritative and often substantial

  • Dictionaries and encyclopedias for Philosophy

3. Think about what information you need

philosophy research assignment

  • How much information do you need? Lecturers often give guidelines on the number of sources you should use.
  • Do you need current information or is older material relevant? Sometimes you might need both, as you might have to give both the historic background and the current thinking on a topic.
  • Do you need primary sources that give an original accounts from the time and place, or secondary sources which are interpretations of someone else’s work?

If you do not understand what you have to do for an assignment, ask your lecturer, your tutor or someone at the Pokapū Pūkenga Ako | Academic Skills Centre .

4. Find books

Search the Library catalogue:

  • Check for PHIL books on High Demand .
  • Use Title , Subject and Keyword searches to find additional material.
  • When you find a useful title, click on its subject headings to find books on similar subjects.

  • Browse the catalogue Call Number (LC) index, for example  BJ 1012 (general works on ethics).

5. Find journal articles

6. Find information on the Internet

  • a government department
  • an academic or university department
  • a research institute

Use the Advanced Search features of Google to restrict your search to results from more reputable sources.

Some sites for Philosophy can be found here .

Do not use articles directly from Wikipedia, although you can use its content (e.g. keywords or phrases) to search for other sources.

Use Google Scholar to find academically reliable journal articles. Adjust the Scholar Preference to recognise the University of Canterbury, and you will get full text whenever it is available through our library subscriptions.

For information on evaluating websites, see

  • Evaluating Web Sites: Criteria and Tools (Cornell University)
  • How to spot fake news (IFLA)

7. Analyse your sources

Learning how to determine the relevance and authority of a given resource for your research is one of the core skills of the research process.

For information on analysing sources, see

  • Critically Analyzing Information Sources (Cornell University)

8. Cite your sources

9. write your assignment.

philosophy research assignment

The Library has some useful writing guides for this subject area.

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Library Guides

Dissertations 4: methodology: introduction & philosophy.

  • Introduction & Philosophy
  • Methodology

Introduction

The methodology introduction is a paragraph that describes both the design of the study and the organization of the chapter. This prepares the reader for what is to follow and provides a framework within which to incorporate the materials. 

This paragraph says to the reader, “This is the methodology chapter, this is how it is organized, and this is the type of design I used.” 

In this introduction, you can also state:  

The objectives of your research and/or 

The research question or hypothesis to be tested 

Research Philosophy

Carrying out your own research for your dissertation means that you are engaging in the creation of knowledge. Research philosophy is an aspect of this. It is belief about the way studies should be conducted, how data should be collected and how it is then analysed and used.  At its deepest level, it includes considerations of what is (ontology), like, is there an objective truth or is it everything subjective, and how to know (epistemology), like, can we know the truth, and how can we get to know it.

Writing about your research philosophy, therefore, involves reflecting on your assumptions and beliefs about data collection to develop, analyse, challenge and evaluate them.  

If you need to have a research philosophy section in your dissertation, the handout attached below provides some guidance.  

  • Research Philosophies Offers descriptions of different research philosophies
  • << Previous: Structure
  • Next: Methods >>
  • Last Updated: Sep 14, 2022 12:58 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.westminster.ac.uk/methodology-for-dissertations

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Research-Methodology

Research Philosophy

Research philosophy is a vast topic and here we will not be discussing this topic in great details. Research philosophy is associated with assumption, knowledge and nature of the study. It deals with the specific way of developing knowledge. This matter needs to be addressed because researchers may have different assumptions about the nature of truth and knowledge and philosophy helps us to understand their assumptions.

In business and economics dissertations at Bachelor’s level, you are not expected to discuss research philosophy in a great level of depth, and about one page in methodology chapter devoted to research philosophy usually suffices. For a business dissertation at Master’s level, on the other hand, you may need to provide more discussion of the philosophy of your study. But even there, about two pages of discussions are usually accepted as sufficient by supervisors.

Discussion of research philosophy in your dissertation should include the following:

  • You need to specify the research philosophy of your study. Your research philosophy can be pragmatism , positivism , realism or interpretivism as discussed below in more details.
  • The reasons behind philosophical classifications of the study need to be provided.
  • You need to discuss the implications of your research philosophy on the research strategy in general and the choice of primary data collection methods in particular.

The Essence of Research Philosophy

Research philosophy deals with the source, nature and development of knowledge [1] . In simple terms, research philosophy is belief about the ways in which data about a phenomenon should be collected, analysed and used.

Although the idea of knowledge creation may appear to be profound, you are engaged in knowledge creation as part of completing your dissertation. You will collect secondary and primary data and engage in data analysis to answer the research question and this answer marks the creation of new knowledge.

In respect to business and economics philosophy has the following important three functions [2] :

  • Demystifying : Exposing, criticising and explaining the unsustainable assumptions, inconsistencies and confusions these may contain.
  • Informing : Helping researchers to understand where they stand in the wider field of knowledge-producing activities, and helping to make them aware of potentialities they might explore.
  • Method-facilitating : Dissecting and better understanding the methods which economists or, more generally, scientists do, or could, use, and thereby to refine the methods on offer and/or to clarify their conditions of usage.

In essence, addressing research philosophy in your dissertation involves being aware and formulating your beliefs and assumptions.  As illustrated in figure below, the identification of research philosophy is positioned at the outer layer of the ‘research onion’. Accordingly it is the first topic to be clarified in research methodology chapter of your dissertation.

Research Philosophy

Research philosophy in the ‘research onion’ [2]

Each stage of the research process is based on assumptions about the sources and the nature of knowledge. Research philosophy will reflect the author’s important assumptions and these assumptions serve as base for the research strategy. Generally, research philosophy has many branches related to a wide range of disciplines. Within the scope of business studies in particular there are four main research philosophies:

  • Interpretivism (Interpretivist)

The Choice of Research Philosophy

The choice of a specific research philosophy is impacted by practical implications. There are important philosophical differences between studies that focus on facts and numbers such as an analysis of the impact of foreign direct investment on the level of GDP growth and qualitative studies such as an analysis of leadership style on employee motivation in organizations.

The choice between positivist and interpretivist research philosophies or between quantitative and qualitative research methods has traditionally represented a major point of debate. However, the latest developments in the practice of conducting studies have increased the popularity of pragmatism and realism philosophies as well.

Moreover, as it is illustrated in table below, there are popular data collection methods associated with each research philosophy.

 Research philosophies and data collection methods [3]

My e-book,  The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dissertation in Business Studies: a step by step assistance contains discussions of theory and application of research philosophy. The e-book also explains all stages of the  research process  starting from the  selection of the research area  to writing personal reflection. Important elements of dissertations such as  research philosophy ,  research approach ,  research design ,  methods of data collection  and  data analysis  are explained in this e-book in simple words.

John Dudovskiy

Research philosophy

[1] Bajpai, N. (2011) “Business Research Methods” Pearson Education India

[2] Tsung, E.W.K. (2016) “The Philosophy of Management Research” Routledge

[3] Table adapted from Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2012) “Research Methods for Business Students” 6 th  edition, Pearson Education Limited

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Research Opportunities

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Research in philosophy is not organized as it is in the sciences, where a single primary investigator oversees and coordinates the work of many different members of a team, from other professors to post-docs to graduate students working on their Ph.D. to undergraduates. Instead, each philosopher's research is fairly self-contained. We share our work in progress with our peers to get feedback and develop our work, of course, but most philosophers don't have researchers doing their own research as part of a larger project.

That means that research opportunities for undergraduates usually take the form of finding funding to spend the summer learning about a topic and writing about it, perhaps in the context of a summer research program or a summer school. Some of these programs are Harvard Internal, some are more broadly based.

Harvard Programs

  • SHARP : Summer Humanities and Arts Research Program
  • The Harvard Review of Philosophy edits and discusses the articles it considers for publication in its yearly issue. This is a great opportunity to read and discuss philosophy.
  • Harvard College Research Funding
  • The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program . MMUF exists to counter the underrepresentation of marginalized groups on college and university faculties nationwide through activities designed to encourage the pursuit of the Ph.D. in the humanities and social sciences (from the website).
  • Harvard-Cambridge Scholarship summer program. Offers summer scholarships for study in Cambridge, UK.

Other Programs

The programs outside of Harvard are constantly changing, so instead of giving you a list of programs, here are resources that continually update.

  • Diversity Institutes : There are various summer programs designed for students from traditionally underrepresented groups.
  • Over the course of the academic year, there are round-ups of philosophy summer programs. Daily Nous , a philosophy blog, often has these.

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130 Powerful Philosophy Research Topics to Get Started

Table of Contents

If you are a philosophy student who needs a good topic to prepare your research paper, then have a look at this blog post. Here, to make your topic selection process easier, we have presented a list of the best 100+ philosophy research topics and ideas. In addition to that, we have also shared some key tips on how to identify one ideal philosophy research topic out of many. Just explore and get interesting ideas for your philosophy research paper writing.

What is a Philosophy?

Philosophy is an interesting subject that deals with the study of fundamental and general questions about knowledge, existence, reason, language, values, and the mind. It is a vast discipline that revolves around reality, truth, and goodness. Some popular areas of philosophy include Metaphysics, Logic, Epistemology, and Political Philosophy .

Philosophy Research Topics

Philosophy Research Paper Topic Selection Tips

In order to write a powerful philosophy research paper, instead of just focusing on the facts, you need to critically analyze, identify hidden arguments, build logical arguments, and should also persuade your readers that your argument is reliable. Most importantly, for writing a good philosophy research paper, you must have an impressive philosophy research topic.

If you have no idea how to identify the right topic for your philosophy research paper, then simply follow the below-mentioned tips.

  • Select a topic that pleases you.
  • Pick a topic that allows you to identify and fill the areas that are lacking.
  • Always go with a topic that has ample references or resources to make your thesis writing process easier.
  • The ultimate goal of your research paper should be to attract the readers and hence choose a philosophy research topic that is impressive and informative to your readers.
  • Select a topic that has a wide scope of presenting your ideas and arguments with relevant examples or a piece of evidence.

List of Philosophy Research Paper Topics

Till now, we saw the tips for selecting the best philosophy research topics. Next, let us move on to the philosophy research paper topic ideas.

To make your search process easier, here we have shared a list of top philosophy research topics for you to consider.

Philosophy Research Topics

Simple Philosophy Research Topics

  • What is loneliness?
  • Dog and cat: Which is superior?
  • What are utopia and anti-utopia?
  • Should abortion be legalized?
  • What are the pros and cons of capital punishment?
  • Why is cloning banned in many countries?
  • Can belief in God change human nature?
  • What is eternity?
  • What is harmony?
  • What is power?
  • How achieving harmony helps to increase empathy?
  • Inner harmony and peace are the key factors of psychological well-being: Explain
  • Impact of good and evil on the society
  • How do virtue and integrity play a pivotal role in the formation of good character?
  • Is happiness a chemical flowing through the brain or something else?
  • What in life is not subjective but instead truly objective and why?
  • Analyze the civilizational approach in understanding the development of human society
  • Critically analyze the African traditional philosophies
  • Comparative analysis between epistemology and psychology
  • Describe the opportunities and challenges for understanding phenomenology
  • Analyze the philosophy of phenomenology
  • Discuss the direct and indirect realism in philosophy
  • Analyze the philosophy of transcendentalism in New England in the early 1830s
  • Critically analyze the  political philosophy behind transcendentalism in Britain

Interesting Philosophy Research Paper Topics

  • Can a person be happy without a family?
  • What is the Supernatural? Is there any proof of its existence?
  • Is it possible to be rich without having a lot of money?
  • Should people always obey the rules?
  • What is the value of truth?
  • What makes people kill in the name of religion?
  • Can we connect traditions supported by science and force people to follow them as customs?
  • Is it possible to change the main characters that define a person?
  • Discuss crucial modern-life values.
  • What is your definition of happiness?
  • Monistic, pluralistic, and dualistic understanding of the substance of thinking
  • Discuss French philosophy of the XIX-XX centuries
  • Discuss the philosophical anthropology about the essence of man and how it was reflected in ancient philosophy
  • Compare and contrast the philosophical ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
  • African philosophy echoes the deep-seated subjectivity of the African as an African: Explain
  • Analyze the philosophy of Anselm’s ontological argument for God’s existence

Philosophy Research Topics on Human Life

  • Why is it complicated to live a happy life?
  • What things make human life senseless?
  • Is there life after death?
  • What is the perfect life?
  • What makes human life meaningful?
  • Should death be treated as the final point in human life or as the beginning of something new?
  • Would you like to live your life more than once?
  • Evaluating life’s existence: Are humans the only living organisms?
  • Human life and culture
  • How to lead a happy life?

Read more: Best Humanities Research Topics To Explore and Write About

Impressive Philosophy Research Ideas

  • What makes people commit crimes even when they know that they will face capital punishment?
  • What makes women physically less strong as compared to men?
  • To love or to be loved: Which is more important?
  • Is it possible to always think positively?
  • Can torture be justified?
  • A vacation or well-paid job: What would you take?
  • Why is religion important above anything else for a lot of people around the globe?
  • Can we declare humanity as a supreme religion?
  • How can the custom of dowry be eliminated from people’s minds?
  • Is it possible for parents to be the best friends of their children in a real sense?
  • How is the age of maturity and the age of marriage defined by society?
  • What is the best way to boost a person’s creativity?
  • Why can’t social behavior and ethics be separated?
  • Are animals different from people?
  • Why do some people live without feeling alive?

Captivating Philosophy Research Topics

  • Is it possible to create an ideal society?
  • What are the best ways to reach peace in the world?
  • Should the church be involved in politics?
  • What are the pros and cons of genetically modified objects?
  • Is euthanasia ethical?
  • Evaluate the relationship between war and peace.
  • How has social media affected people’s moral behavior?
  • Analyze the impact of beauty on human development.
  • Should parents be held responsible for the actions of their children?
  • Can animal experiments be justified?
  • What are the pros and cons of committing suicide?
  • Can we justify the experiments on human beings?
  • What is the ethics behind Bitcoin or other cyber-currency applications?
  • How to increase the level of IQ?
  • What are the pros and cons of utilitarianism?

Excellent Philosophy Research Questions

  • Is there a moral obligation to be honest?
  • Should we allow incarcerated criminals to have children?
  • What are the pros and cons of marriage?
  • Should human beings claim a stake in other planets such as the moon and Mars?
  • What are the pros and cons of childless families?
  • Is it ethical to use steroids to enhance results in athletics?
  • What are the pros and cons of communism?
  • Positive and Negative features of Machiavelli’s ideas
  • Are humans really the kings of the universe?
  • What are the pros and cons of total control?
  • Is it really true that early to bed, early to rise can make a person stay healthy forever?
  • Should modern celebrities be considered positive models for contemporary youth?
  • Does genetics contribute to human behavior?
  • Evaluate the pros and cons of artificial intelligence.
  • What does the term ‘to cross the border of ethical conduct’ mean?
  • Ethical ideas concerning abortions.
  • Video games and their effects on the moral behavior of people.
  • Is morality objective or subjective?
  • What are the roles of Good and Evil?
  • What is the effect of binary opposition on the development of humankind?

Read also: Leadership Research Topics and Ideas To Deal With

Amazing Philosophy Research Topics

  • What is your attitude to “artificially designed babies”?
  • What is the future of humankind and humans?
  • Is 1 + 1 really equal to 2?
  • What is the sense of your existence?
  • Is there a possibility of working out a universal language?
  • The postmodernism ideas in philosophy.
  • What ideas or principles should an ideal family possess?
  • Should patriotism be regarded as a virtue?
  • What are the pros and cons of organ transplantation?
  • Is it ethical to have circuses?
  • Is it reasonable to tell a white lie?
  • Can murder be justified?
  • How to solve an issue between parents and children?
  • Why are humans cruel and evil?
  • Should religion be banned by law?
  • Are morals related to culture?
  • Do human beings deserve to have children?
  • Reasons and solutions for mass panic and hysteria
  • Is it worth sacrificing health in order to become more beautiful?
  • Is science compatible with religion in the contemporary world?

Informative Philosophy Research Topics

  • A critical analysis of the phenomenon of values through Axiology.
  • Write about Contextualism in Epistemology.
  • Conduct a detailed analysis of idealism and realism.
  • Explain the theory of modern liberalism.
  • Examine the influence of Greek philosophers on human sciences.
  • Conduct a critical analysis of the literary movements of transcendentalism.
  • A theoretical framework for the teacher’s philosophy of education
  • Philosophy and religion in Buddhism.
  • Conduct a comparative analysis of feminism and pragmatism.
  • Discuss the philosophy of stoicism.

Philosophy Research Paper Writing Tips

Choosing a perfect topic for philosophy research is a difficult task. Once you have selected a topic for your philosophy research, follow the below-mentioned writing tips to make your philosophy research paper stand unique in the crowd.

  • Structure the essay or research paper by including the following elements- Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.
  • Write a strong thesis statement in the introduction paragraph suitable to the philosophy research paper topic that you have selected.
  • Explain your points or arguments on the topic with supporting evidence and other credible information in the body section of the research paper.
  • Present your ideas in a logical order to avoid confusion.
  • The sentence flow should be natural throughout the essay or research paper.
  • Present your arguments or points in a way to persuade your readers.
  • Do a complete revision so as to make your final draft free from grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Final Words

Out of the different ideas recommended in this blog post, choose any topic of your choice and craft an excellent philosophy research paper as per your university guidelines. In case, you need an expert to offer you help with philosophy research paper topic selection, writing, and editing, feel free to approach us.

Based on your requirements, the subject professionals on our platform will offer high-quality philosophy assignment help online. Most importantly, the philosophy research papers that our scholarly writers create and deliver would be flawless and plagiarism-free. Also, with the support of our specialists, you can complete your work in advance of the deadline and score top grades.

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Philosophy of Science Research Paper Topics

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This page provides a comprehensive list of philosophy of science research paper topics , designed to usher students into the vast realm of the interplay between philosophy and scientific inquiry. As the study of philosophy of science continues to evolve, there’s an increasing need for students to delve deeply into its multifaceted avenues, understanding not just the foundational principles but also the emerging debates and discussions. From examining the underlying assumptions that drive scientific research to scrutinizing the ethical dimensions of modern scientific practices, the philosophy of science offers a myriad of avenues for intellectual exploration. This list will serve as both a starting point for novices and a deep dive for those already familiar with some aspects of the field, ensuring that every student can find a topic tailored to their interests and academic goals.

100 Philosophy of Science Research Paper Topics

In the quest to fathom the universe and our place within it, humanity has leaned on both science and philosophy as guiding lights. The philosophy of science, as a discipline, dives deep into the analysis of scientific practice and the conceptual foundations of science. It critically examines the nature of scientific knowledge, the practice of scientific inquiry, and the interplay of science with other societal elements. For students looking to understand the broader context in which scientific theories arise, evolve, and sometimes fade away, exploring philosophy of science research paper topics offers invaluable insights.

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  • Logic and Scientific Reasoning.
  • Induction, Deduction, and Abduction in Science.
  • Falsifiability as a Criterion for Scientific Theory.
  • The Role of Observation and Experimentation.
  • Theory-ladenness of Observation.
  • The Duhem-Quine Thesis.
  • Confirmation and Empirical Content.
  • Science and Pseudoscience: Demarcation Problem.
  • The Underdetermination of Theories.
  • Models and Analogies in Science.
  • Presocratic Natural Philosophers.
  • Aristotelian Science.
  • The Scientific Renaissance.
  • Logical Positivism and Logical Empiricism.
  • Popper’s Critical Rationalism.
  • Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
  • Lakatos and Research Programs.
  • Feyerabend’s Epistemological Anarchy.
  • The Evolution of Scientific Explanation.
  • The Emergence of Quantum Mechanics and its Philosophical Implications.
  • The Copernican Revolution.
  • The Darwinian Revolution.
  • Einstein’s Relativity and its Impact.
  • Quantum Mechanics: A New Worldview.
  • The Double Helix and the New Biology.
  • Shifts in Geoscience: From Geocentrism to Plate Tectonics.
  • The Rise of Systems Biology.
  • The Cognitive Revolution in Psychology.
  • Big Bang Theory: A Cosmological Revolution.
  • The Digital Revolution and Computational Sciences.
  • The Debate on Scientific Realism.
  • Arguments for and against Anti-realism.
  • Instrumentalism: A Middle Path?
  • Structural Realism.
  • Entity Realism.
  • Theories of Truth in Science.
  • The No Miracles Argument.
  • The Pessimistic Meta-induction Argument.
  • Realism about Theories vs. Realism about Entities.
  • The Ontic and Epistemic Views of Scientific Explanation.
  • The Nature of Scientific Laws.
  • Causation in Scientific Theories.
  • Regularity Theories of Causal Relations.
  • Counterfactual Theories of Causation.
  • Probabilistic Causation.
  • The Issue of Time in Causation.
  • Laws Underlying Randomness and Chaos.
  • Reductionism and Emergent Properties.
  • Mechanisms in Scientific Explanation.
  • The Role of Mathematics in Science.
  • Ethics in Clinical Trials.
  • Dual-use Dilemma in Scientific Research.
  • Environmental Ethics and Science.
  • Neuroethics: Implications of Neuroscience.
  • Genetic Engineering and Moral Concerns.
  • Science, Technology, and Society: Ethical Interactions.
  • The Ethical Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence.
  • Responsibility in Scientific Communication.
  • Animal Experimentation: Ethical Pros and Cons.
  • Data Privacy and Bioinformatics.
  • The Social Construction of Scientific Knowledge.
  • Science and Gender: Feminist Epistemology.
  • Ethnoscience and Traditional Knowledge Systems.
  • Public Understanding of Science.
  • Science Communication and Media.
  • Science Education and Cultural Context.
  • Science Policy and Governance.
  • The Role of Science in Democracy.
  • Scientific Consensus and Controversies.
  • The Relationship between Science, Industry, and Politics.
  • Science and Religion: Conflict or Coexistence?
  • Evolution vs. Creationism Debate.
  • Cosmology, Big Bang, and Religious Interpretations.
  • The Anthropic Principle and Design Arguments.
  • Neurotheology: The Neural Basis of Religious Experiences.
  • Miracles: A Philosophical Examination.
  • The Concept of Soul in Science and Religion.
  • Ethics: Secular vs. Religious Perspectives.
  • Natural Theology and its Critiques.
  • Non-Western Perspectives on Science and Spirituality.
  • Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics.
  • The Challenge of Dark Matter and Dark Energy.
  • Complexity and Emergence in Science.
  • Cognitive Science and the Nature of Consciousness.
  • The Problem of Measurement in Science.
  • Climate Science and Controversies.
  • Evolutionary Psychology: Promises and Pitfalls.
  • Neuroplasticity and the Changing Brain.
  • The Limits of Computability.
  • Theoretical Challenges in Modern Cosmology.
  • Futuristic Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science.
  • Posthumanism and the Future of Humanity.
  • The Singularity: Myth or Inevitable Future?
  • Ethics of Advanced AI and Superintelligent Machines.
  • The Philosophy of Virtual Realities.
  • Predictive Science and its Implications.
  • Synthetic Biology and the Creation of Life.
  • Space Exploration and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life.
  • The Future of Medicine: Personalized, Predictive, and Preventive.
  • The Post-Truth Era: Science in a World of Alternative Facts.
  • Teleportation, Time Travel, and Other Scientific Frontiers.

The world of philosophy of science is vast, dynamic, and perpetually relevant, making the selection of philosophy of science research paper topics both an exciting and daunting task for students. These topics don’t just represent isolated academic inquiries; they influence and are influenced by the way we think, act, and perceive our world. It is the fusion of science, with its empirical rigor, and philosophy, with its reflective depth, that makes these topics an indispensable part of a student’s intellectual journey. As the next generation of philosophers of science, students have an unmatched opportunity to shape the discourse on the very nature and direction of scientific endeavor.

The Range of Philosophy of Science Research Paper Topics

Introduction

Science and philosophy are two stalwarts that have guided human understanding for centuries. While science seeks empirical explanations, philosophy delves into the conceptual foundations and implications of those explanations. The philosophy of science, then, acts as a bridge, linking these two domains and providing insights into the nature, methods, and values of scientific endeavors. For the budding philosopher or scientist, exploring the intertwined relationship between science and philosophy is not only enlightening but also pivotal for holistic academic growth.

Expansive Array of Topics Within Philosophy of Science

At first glance, the philosophy of science might seem like a narrow field. However, as one delves deeper, it becomes evident that the topics within this discipline are as varied as they are profound. From understanding the nature and structure of scientific theories to examining the ethical implications of scientific practices, the range is vast. Topics like scientific realism, causation, and demarcation between science and pseudoscience challenge students to question and reflect upon the fundamental aspects of scientific knowledge.

Historical Milestones in Scientific Philosophy

Tracing the history of the philosophy of science is akin to tracing the evolution of human thought. The ancients, from Aristotle to the medieval Islamic scholars, laid the groundwork for understanding the natural world. Their ideas, although sometimes flawed from a modern perspective, set the stage for the Scientific Revolution. Thinkers like Thomas Kuhn, with his concept of paradigm shifts, or Karl Popper, emphasizing falsifiability as a cornerstone of scientific validity, revolutionized how we think about scientific progress and knowledge. The transition from a time when science was indistinguishable from philosophy to an era of specialized scientific disciplines tells a tale of human achievement and the relentless pursuit of understanding.

Philosophy of Science: The Backbone of Scientific Advancements

At the heart of every significant scientific advancement, there lies a philosophical question. For instance, the shift from Newtonian mechanics to Einstein’s theory of relativity was not just a change in equations but a profound alteration in our understanding of space, time, and reality. Philosophical scrutiny is what differentiates science from mere observation. It raises questions like: “What counts as evidence?” “Are there limits to understanding?” “How do scientific models relate to reality?” Such reflections ensure that science remains grounded, self-critical, and progressive.

Another significant contribution of the philosophy of science is its emphasis on the ethical dimensions of scientific practices. As science advances, it often ventures into territories that were once the domain of speculative fiction: genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, to name a few. Philosophers of science prompt us to ask not just “Can we?” but also “Should we?” By doing so, they ensure that scientific advancements benefit humanity and respect our shared values.

Significance of Selecting the Right Research Paper Topics

For a student of philosophy or science, selecting the right research paper topic is crucial. It’s not just about academic grades but about sparking a genuine interest and passion for the subject. Engaging with the right topic can lead to profound insights and even lay the foundation for future academic or research pursuits.

Diving deep into a topic like the ethical implications of AI, for instance, might lead one to explore the realms of cognitive science, machine learning, and moral philosophy. On the other hand, exploring the philosophical challenges posed by quantum mechanics might push students to grapple with the very nature of reality and causality.

In essence, the topic chosen becomes a window to the vast expanse of knowledge and inquiry, guiding the student’s academic trajectory. It’s no exaggeration to say that a well-chosen research topic in the philosophy of science can shape the intellectual growth of the individual, pushing boundaries and illuminating uncharted territories of thought.

The philosophy of science, with its myriad research paper topics, stands as a testament to humanity’s relentless pursuit of understanding. It’s not just an academic discipline but a reflection of our collective journey through time, charting our advancements, our questions, our challenges, and our aspirations. In today’s academic landscape, where interdisciplinarity and critical thinking are prized, the philosophy of science offers a rich, varied, and ever-evolving field of study. For those ready to embark on this intellectual voyage, the topics within this discipline promise not just academic excellence but a deeper understanding of the world and our place within it.

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The realm of the philosophy of science is vast, intricate, and immensely rewarding. Partnering with iResearchNet ensures not just a high-quality research paper but an enriching academic experience. For students poised on the edge of academic brilliance, iResearchNet promises an unmatched advantage, illuminating their path to excellence.

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philosophy research assignment

Research projects

Blame and responsibility.

The project's core objective is to bring together researchers in epistemology, ethics and metaphysics to shed light on key questions concerning blame including the following:

  • What is it to blame someone and under what conditions are we entitled to do so?
  • Are groups, such as companies or governments, blameworthy?
  • To what extent can groups or individuals be held blameworthy for beliefs or behaviour which discriminate against women or minorities even when the beliefs and behaviour are subconscious or accepted practice?
  • What can be revealed about blame by the nature of forgiveness and apology?

Visit the  Blame and Responsibility website .

Plastic pollution on the surface of a black and blue sea

Effective Altruism

Effective altruism is a philosophy and social movement focusing on getting the most good out of charitable activities (donations of money, time, and effort). It has received popular attention, but a number of philosophical issues surrounding it remain under-explored. For example:

  • What is the best statement of effective altruism as a philosophical view, and what is its relation to consequentialism, deontology, or virtue ethics? Is the view tenable?
  • What is the most important cause? Fighting extreme poverty, reducing existential risks, or what? To what extent, if at all, should we take into consideration the well-being of possible future persons? How should we decide where to give if there is no clear best cause?
  • To what extent is progress in ethical theory a priority, from an effective altruist perspective? For example, how important is it to figure out what well-being consists in, or to solve problems in population ethics?

Visit the Effective Altruism website .

philosophy research assignment

The Logic of Conceivability

The Logic of Conceivability (LoC) is a five-year project (2017-2021) funded by the European Research Council. It is co-hosted by St Andrews and by the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) at the University of Amsterdam.

We often wonder what would happen if this or that possibility were realised: "What if Brexit causes a recession? Will I lose my job?". "How will the electorate react if my political party lowers taxes?". Reasoning about such hypothetical scenarios is of fundamental importance to plan our future and make choices. But how do we reason when we imagine such scenarios? What is the logic of our imagination?

The orthodox logical treatment of mental states like believing, imagining, supposing, or knowing, comes from modal logic’s possible worlds semantics, which was taken up by philosophy, linguistics, and artificial intelligence. However, the approach faces major problems. For example it models heavily idealised, logically infallible reasoners. It is, thus, disconnected from the reality of human, fallible minds. LoC addresses them via the techniques of non-classical logics and non-normal worlds semantics.

The LoC group includes the principal investigator, Franz Berto, and  a team of mathematical logicians, epistemologists, and psychologists of reasoning . The project outputs are all available through open access .

philosophy research assignment

Philosophy, Philosophizing and the Philosopher in 18th-Century Britain

Professor James Harris is working on a new history of 18th-century British philosophy. This project is funded by a senior research fellowship from the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust in 2020.

Harris' interest is in significant but not yet properly defined differences between philosophy as it was practised in 18th-century Britain and philosophy as it is practised now. These differences tend to be ignored in standard history of philosophy, probably because such history tends to be written by philosophers who are disposed to focus on similarities and continuities between the philosophy of the past and the philosophy of the present. Professor Harris believes that historical investigation is needed to determine what, exactly, philosophy was in Britain in the 18th century.

  • What were its goals?
  • Who did it, and why?
  • How was it done?
  • What was its social role?

philosophy research assignment

Theories of Paradox in 14th-Century Logic: Edition and Translation of Key Texts

The project consists of preparing an edition of the Latin text, together with an English translation and commentary, of the late 14th-century treatise on Insolubles (logical paradoxes) by Paul of Venice from his Logica Magna .

The main aim is to provide scholars and students with access to important and interesting texts from the 14th century on the logical paradoxes.

In the final stage of the project the team will edit and translate two further treatises by Walter Segrave and John Dumbleton, which were written in Oxford in the second quarter of the century, and which Paul mentions. They remain unedited, containing rich ideas about alternative solutions, restrictio and cassatio respectively. Publication of these texts will allow a better overview of the development of solutions to the paradoxes through the 14th century, as well as give further insight into the nature of the paradoxes and their possible solution.

The project is funded by a Leverhulme Research Project grant to Professor Stephen Read, funding a Research Fellowship held by Dr Barbara Bartocci. It began on 1 August 2017 and continues until 31 July 2020.

Visit the  Theories of Paradox website .

philosophy research assignment

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190 Unique Philosophy Research Topics

Table of Contents

Since philosophy assignment writing is not an easy task, perhaps, students might face difficulties in impressing their professors. Besides, as an academic discipline philosophy studies reality, existence, and primary knowledge attributes. However, it might sound hectic for you to select outstanding philosophy research topics as you might want to score well. Despite your major, you might enjoy attending a philosophy class, yet it might appear complex to select recent topics. Hence, selecting simple philosophy research topics might make the whole process efficient, leading to good scores in your assignments.

Philosophy Research Paper Topic Selection

Perhaps, you might want to choose the best philosophy research topics, so give your 100% in the topic selection process.

  • Firstly, select a topic that might allow you to recognize and research the areas, which might appear inadequately explored. Besides, a good topic selection might help you to leave a significant mark in the field.
  • Secondly, choose a topic that sounds interesting to you as your professor will not assign you topics.
  • Thirdly, select a topic that has sufficient resources as that might make the paper easy for you. However, if your topic is narrow, your difficulties in developing an exemplary paper might also increase.

Philosophy Research Paper Writing

Simultaneously, you need to remember that writing a philosophy paper appears different from other research papers. Though the structure, tone, and thesis statement are similar to other subjects, there is a difference you will learn gradually.

  • Specifically, try to understand the perspective you might want to communicate to your future audience.
  • Besides, you might not simply express your opinion as your key goal might involve convincing your audience. Also, you might want to prove the credibility of your arguments in front of your audience.
  • Possibly, your audience needs to believe in your arguments, so you might consider obtaining sufficient information on your audience.

Also Read: Love What You Have, Before Life Teaches You to Love- Tymoff

List of Philosophy Research Topics and Ideas

In this section, we have listed 190 unique ideas for a philosophy research paper. If you run short of ideas, explore the entire list and choose any topic that meets your needs.

Simple Philosophy Research Topics

  • Explain the concept of happiness.
  • What is power?
  • Define harmony.
  • Explain the eternity concept.
  • A globalized world and the achievement of peace.
  • Good and Evil- Role in the Society.
  • Establishing an ideal world- Is this possible?
  • A senseless human life- Identify the driving factors.
  • Analyze the difficulties in creating a happy life.
  • Drivers of a meaningful human life.
  • Discuss the benefits of emotions.
  • Elaborate on the creativity enhancement strategies.
  • Animals and human beings- A comparative analysis.
  • Explain the reality of democracy.
  • Engagement of a church in politics.

Basic Philosophy Research Topics

  • Positive thinking strategies.
  • Analyze the future of humanity.
  • Abortions and the ethical ideas surrounding them.
  • Egg or hen- Who is born first?
  • How are war and peace related to each other?
  • Euthanasia and its ethical consideration.
  • The structure and functions of philosophy.
  • Philosophical understanding of space.
  • Philosophical understanding of time.
  • Philosophical understanding of movement.
  • Categories of dialectics.
  • Impact of social media on morale.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of abortion.
  • Happiness and family- Explain their relationship.
  • School and education- Review.
  • How often does the beauty standard change?
  • Significance of love in your life.
  • Personality development and the role of a society.
  • Free-will versus determinism theory- Which is more powerful?
  • Does a rich person always have huge money?

High-Quality Philosophy Research Topics

  • Describe the greatest treasure of your life.
  • Elaborate on a life aspect that you want to change.
  • Is morality subjective or objective?
  • Pros and cons of communism.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of egoism.
  • Define utopia.
  • Benefits and drawbacks of capital punishment.
  • Artificially designed babies and your attitude.
  • Pros and cons of the Internet application.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of a child-free family.
  • Marrying versus staying single- Critical analysis.
  • Living Forever- Critically review.
  • Cultural genesis and dynamics of culture.
  • Philosophy as an academic discipline.
  • Materialistic understanding of existence.
  • Idealistic understanding of existence.
  • Monistic, dualistic, and pluralistic understanding of substance.
  • Explain the existence of the American dream.
  • Hysteria and mass panic- Discuss the causes and solution.
  • Philosophy and post-modernism ideas.

Good Scoring Philosophy Research Topics

  • Dogs versus cats- Who is more intellectually superior?
  • 1+1 equals 2- Explain the logic.
  • Who is the king of the universe?
  • How does education support developing a good citizen?
  • Humanity and philosophy.
  • Analects and the LI.
  • Same-sex and the national opposition law.
  • Definition of sexual self.
  • K-12 educational philosophy.
  • Roy Jackson and the Islamic philosophy.
  • Significance of studying philosophy.
  • Define an ideal society.
  • Meaning and objectives of philosophy.
  • Fetus- Right to live.
  • Questions and their philosophic answers.

Interesting Philosophy Research Paper Topics

  • Liberalism and Fascism political ideas.
  • First philosophy and mediation- Rene.
  • Charles Pierce’s Fixation of Belief.
  • Religion and philosophy of Buddhism.
  • Free- -will, ethics and epistemology.
  • Post-Colonial and Feminist Philosophy.
  • Aristotle’s friendship conditions.
  • Explain the existence of God.
  • John McTaggart’s Unreality of Time.
  • Apology by Plato and Crito.
  • A well-paid job versus a vacation? Review.
  • Life after death- What is your viewpoint?
  • Modern life values- Review the statement.
  • Transforming the meaning of loneliness.
  • How do people kill a religion?

Intriguing Philosophy Research Topics

  • Is it important to love someone, or have someone who loves them?
  • Social behavior and ethics- Explain their similarities.
  • Analyze the maturity age and the marriage age defined by society.
  • Elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of complete control.
  • Discuss the influence of beauty on human development.
  • Explain the evidence of supernatural elements.
  • Pros and cons of suicide.
  • The action of a child is the responsibility of his or her parents.
  • Explain the ethics behind using animals for experiments.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence.
  • Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of utilitarianism.
  • Honesty is a moral obligation- Evaluate the statement.
  • Describe the ethics of cryptocurrencies- Case study analysis of Bitcoin.
  • Zoo and Circus- Is it ethical?
  • Advantages and disadvantages of marriage.

Popular Philosophy Research Ideas

  • Analyze the benefits and limitations of a genetically modified object.
  • Admission of the old people to the care centers- Is the decision of the old people, children, or a healthcare professional?
  • Sports and the use of steroids- Is this an ethical decision?
  • Cloning is banned in different countries- Explain the causes.
  • Analyze the negative and positive aspects of Machiavelli’s ideas.
  • Does torture have any justification?
  • Socialist theories and socialism.
  • Explain the philosophy of humanity.
  • Philosophy of Essentialism- express your viewpoints.
  • Significance of a universal language- Discuss the failure of the previous attempts.
  • Impact of using fake and illegal internet sites.
  • Removal of violent content from the internet- Discuss your viewpoint.
  • Earth ethics and code of conduct- Does it need changes to achieve colonization like other planets?
  • Freedom of choice for human beings- Review the statement.
  • Why do some people lead dull life?

Informative Philosophy Research Paper Topics

  • In case you have a time machine, discuss the situation you might want to change in your life.
  • Consider yourself as a unique personality- Discuss how you will differentiate yourself from others.
  • Ignoring an opportunity, if you don’t feel confident about your success in it.
  • Discuss your favorite period, in which you want to spend your life if given a chance.
  • Sometimes a lie is better than the truth- Specifically, analyze such situations.
  • Elaborate on the most important decision you have taken in your life and explain its significance.
  • Explain the significance of modern life values.
  • Is it important for a person to obey the rules?
  • Good traits and bad traits of a person- Is it important for every person to have both traits?
  • However, the value of education has transformed over time.
  • Explain your three most important character traits and why is it important for you.
  • Discuss matters that might truly upset you. Explain suitable strategies to manage such issues.
  • Marrying a rich person versus marrying your love- Discuss your viewpoint.
  • Do you believe in living more than once? Explain why?
  • Pleasure and happiness- Role of ethical acting.

Top Philosophy Research Questions

  • Consider whether technological progress will come to an end.
  • Investigate whether democracy is an effective form of government.
  • Explain whether it is possible to close the societal gap between the rich and the poverty.
  • Explain how the advancement of AI will impact the world.
  • In today’s world, what is the relationship between beauty and morality?
  • What are the ethical issues and principles in psychotherapy?
  • Distinguish between hedonism and utilitarianism.
  • What are the moral ramifications of parent-child relationships?
  • Explain the meaning of informed consent and the issues it raises.
  • Consider whether humans and animals should have equal rights.
  • Discuss the significant moral benefits and drawbacks of human enhancements.
  • What are the main moral issues surrounding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide?
  • Examine the concept of responsibility and freedom about meta-ethics.
  • What role did classical pragmatism play in the development of feminist theories?
  • Explain how quantum mechanics and relativity theory influenced the twentieth century.

Trending Philosophy Research Topics

  • Describe the three defining characteristics of your character. Do you want to alter any of them?
  • Are there any living things in the universe other than us?
  • What do you consider to be your greatest treasure? What specifically would you like to change?
  • What may make you upset? What strategy would you employ?
  • What is the most significant choice you have ever made? What qualifies its importance?
  • Do you want to experience life more than once?
  • Which is more important: to love or to be loved?
  • Does everyone need to be educated? Has education’s importance evolved throughout time?
  • Is it feasible to obtain an education outside of the classroom?
  • Why do beauty expectations shift so frequently?

Unique Philosophy Research Paper Topics

  • Write about Transcendentalism’s Quest for Truth.
  • Explain Authorship in Postmodernism.
  • Discuss the Aesthetics in the Postmodern Era.
  • Explain the role of Political Philosophy in Policy Formation.
  • Conceptualize Freedom in Political Philosophy.
  • Analyze Plato’s Love Philosophy.
  • Examine the Space Philosophy.
  • Analyze the Philosophy Assignment of Language.
  • Examine the nature of the mind-body relationship.
  • Discuss the epistemological challenges of legal realism.

Excellent Philosophy Research Questions

  • Prepare a research paper on the philosophy of phenomenology.
  • Write about the philosophy of science.
  • Explain the concept of direct realism in philosophy.
  • Discuss the impact of philosophical practices on human science.
  • Critically analyze philosophy as a model of human science.
  • Discuss the philosophy of transcendentalism in New England in the early 1830s.
  • Explain how educational philosophy has transformed over time.
  • Discuss the philosophy of multicultural education.
  • Explore the evolving philosophy of women’s education.
  • Prepare a research paper on 17 th and 18th-century German philosophy.

Innovative Philosophy Research Topics

  • Which would you choose to wed—a wealthy person you despise or your true love, with whom your family would have financial difficulties?
  • Should individuals abide by the law at all times? Where does disobeying the law for the greater good cross the line into rebellion?
  • Should you grab the opportunity if you aren’t 100 percent sure you’ll succeed, or should you pass it up?
  • Which era would you like to live in if you could spend a year there?
  • What impact does beauty have on the evolution of humanity?
  • What actions should people take if visitors from other planets arrive on Earth?
  • Is it essential to modify the “Earth ethics and code of conduct” if other planets are colonized?
  • Analyze the philosophy of statesmanship
  • Analyze the philosophy of Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein
  • Why Martin Heidegger is considered one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century
  • Analyze the philosophy of life
  • Difference between eutopia and utopia

Wrapping Up

If you have reached here, possibly, you have found several interesting philosophy research topics in the list above. Hence, it’s up to you to decide which topic sounds most interesting to you and might fetch you good marks. Though philosophy is not like reading ABC, still you might make it easy, by choosing good and relevant research topics. Furthermore, if you have doubts, chat with our assignment help experts, who will give you the best possible suggestions to complete your Philosophy Assignment Help .

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Research grant aimed at improving wastewater monitoring for diseases in rural Appalachian communities

  • Kevin Myatt

15 Feb 2024

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Two people testing water in rural Appalachia.

Testing wastewater to assess the spread of the COVID-19 virus became common and well-publicized during the pandemic, but it has been focused mostly on urban areas.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $400,000 to Virginia Tech, with an additional $50,000 to Virginia Tech from the Virginia Department of Health, for a two-year project to identify and implement improved and new methods to detect pathogens for multiple diseases in the wastewater of rural communities.

“My work and research have primarily been focused on rural areas, and prior to the pandemic, most of my research was on drinking water and health-related challenges,” said Alasdair Cohen , assistant professor of environmental epidemiology in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine . 

Cohen is the principal investigator on this new project that will build on research Cohen’s team has been conducting since 2022 in collaboration with a wastewater utility in Southwest Virginia and led by Amanda Darling, a Ph.D. student in Cohen’s group. 

“Dr. Cohen does important work on drinking water and health, locally and globally,” said Laura Hungerford , head of the Department of Population Health Sciences . “During COVID, he jumped in to help develop improved methods for wastewater surveillance. This let the university and Virginia better track and manage diseases. With ARC funding, he and his community partners will bring this science to benefit rural communities.”

Early in the pandemic, Virginia Tech researchers in the College of Engineering began testing campus wastewater for COVID-19 . Cohen was part of this team and led the statistical analyses of the data, finding that they were able to predict future COVID-19 cases at scales as small as one residence hall. The team published its findings in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Water , and this campuswide research collaboration also piqued Cohen’s interest in the use of wastewater surveillance in rural settings. 

He is joined in the ARC grant by two co-investigators from the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering : Amy Pruden , University Distinguished Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Peter Vikesland , the Nick Prillaman Professor in civil and environmental engineering, as well as Leigh-Anne Krometis , associate professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .

Concurrent with the grant funding, Cohen’s team recently published “Making Waves: The Benefits and Challenges of Responsibly Implementing Wastewater-based Surveillance for Rural Communities” in the journal Water Research. The article calls attention to the potential public health benefits of wastewater surveillance for rural communities and to methodological and ethical challenges that Cohen and his colleagues are working to address.

“ARC’s grant of $400,000 will help Virginia Tech expand their work to detect pathogens in wastewater from rural communities,” U.S Rep. Morgan Griffith said in a press release announcing the grant. “This work is aimed at improving our country’s public health through better community health monitoring and outbreak forecasting.” 

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) monitors wastewater at sites across the commonwealth for pathogens causing COVID-19, influenza A, influenza B, hepatitis A and respiratory syncytial virus. The department found though that results from some smaller rural communities are challenging to interpret. 

“This project aims to complement VDH's efforts in using wastewater-based surveillance to advance public health in rural towns in Appalachian Virginia,” said Rekha Singh, the department's Wastewater Surveillance Program manager. “The VDH has initiated wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 in communities statewide since September 2021. This new project will help identify the best practices for sampling in small communities and will assist VDH in implementing effective wastewater surveillance in similar communities.”

Infrastructure is often part of the challenge in testing rural wastewater, Cohen said. 

“You have fewer people but over a larger space, so you have more wastewater collection infrastructure per person than you would in an urban setting,” Cohen said. “Many rural towns, and especially older rural towns, are going to have sewage collection infrastructure with a lot of breaks and cracks in the pipes. That means sewage could get out into the ground and it means water can get into the pipes.”

Especially after periods of heavier rain, runoff seeping into sewage systems could dilute the results of wastewater testing in rural areas. It can also mean tax dollars down the drain with sewage plants treating rainwater alongside wastewater.

“We have enough preliminary data from our pilot research to show that this can be a problem,” Cohen said.

The grant will allow Cohen’s team to take on wastewater surveillance in new Southwest Virginia communities, gaining efficiency as experiences from prior studies are applied.

“The goal is we want to try to develop an approach so that rural utilities and public health agencies can determine if wastewater surveillance is something that makes sense for a given rural community,” Cohen said. “And if so, how could it best be implemented?”

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In the dawn of the Space Age, a group of scientists and engineers from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) had their eye on a new frontier: the uncharted expanse of space. Project Vanguard, initiated in 1955, aimed to launch the first American satellite into Earth orbit as part of the International Geophysical Year (July 1957 to December 1958). Led by NRL, it envisioned a three-stage rocket design and emphasized scientific instrumentation over military application while showcasing American ingenuity. Despite its ambitious goals, Project Vanguard encountered difficulties. The first five Vanguard launch attempts suffered critical failures, earning it the nickname “Flopnik” in the press. The public, eager for American success in space following the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1, was disappointed in Vanguard’s performance. However, Vanguard’s legacy extends beyond its initial setbacks. On March 17, 1958, Vanguard TV-4, also known as Vanguard I, achieved orbit to become America’s second satellite and the world’s fourth artificial satellite in space. This success marked a major milestone and instilled renewed confidence in the project. Today, Vanguard I remains in space as the oldest satellite orbiting the Earth.

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A few months after the launch of Vanguard I in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Act was passed establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and on May 1, 1959, NASA Administrator Dr. T. Keith Glennan announced that the Beltsville Space Center would become Goddard Space Flight Center. The center would be under the overall guidance of Dr. Abe Silverstein , then Director of Space Flight Development at NASA Headquarters.

Recognizing the expertise and dedication of the NRL team, NASA transferred many employees from Project Vanguard to form the nucleus of the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The migration of NRL scientists and engineers to Goddard wasn’t merely a paperwork shuffle, it was the transfer of their vital knowledge and experience.

Their impact was immediate. While initially tasked with completing Vanguard’s mission, the Goddard center quickly expanded its scope, encompassing Earth science, astrophysics, and space exploration. Early Goddard employees formed the core of several projects, including the Explorer series of satellites and the Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) Program . They tackled the challenges of satellite communication, laying the groundwork for technologies that would be used for years.

Goddard’s dedication ceremony took place on March 16, 1961, but its employees were hard at work well before that day. According to one employee’s account, the Applied Mathematics Branch moved from an office in Anacostia to the Greenbelt site on May 9, 1960. Other employees from a Massachusetts Avenue office building in Washington, DC, arrived around the same time. Those early days at Goddard were not easy. Parking lots had not been paved and signs at the center directed employees to park their cars under a large grove of oak trees. Some buildings did not yet have running water and portable toilets were available outside.

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Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES)-2024 Released

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) announces the release of its annual omnibus solicitation for basic and applied research, Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) 2024 as NNH24ZDA001N on or about February 14, 2024, at  https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024

ROSES is an omnibus solicitation, with many individual program elements, each with its own due dates and topics. Table 2 and Table 3 of this NRA, which will be posted at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024table2 and https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024table3 , respectively, provide proposal due dates and hypertext links to descriptions of the solicited program elements in the Appendices of this NRA. Together, these program elements cover the wide range of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences supported by SMD.

ROSES NRA may result in grants, cooperative agreements, and inter- or intra-agency transfers, depending on the nature of the work proposed, the proposing organization, and/or program requirements. At the time of release of ROSES, we anticipate that all awards to non-governmental organizations will be federal assistance awards, and most program elements of ROSES specify grants. Unless specifically permitted by a particular program element, ROSES will not result in contracts because it would not be appropriate for the nature of the work solicited.

Except for China (see Section III.c of the ROSES Summary of Solicitation and the ROSES PRC FAQ ), organizations of every type, domestic and foreign, Government and private, for profit and not-for-profit, may submit proposals without restriction on teaming arrangements. Research involving non-U.S. organizations must be no exchange of funds, see https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs#14

Awards range from under $100K per year for focused, limited efforts (e.g., data analysis) to more than $1M per year for extensive activities (e.g., development of hardware for science experiments and/or flight). Periods of performance are typically three years, but some programs may allow up to five years and others specify shorter periods.

The funds available and the anticipated number of awards are given in each program element and range from less than one to several million dollars, which allows for selection from a few to as many as several dozen proposals.

Electronic submission of proposals is required by the respective due dates for each program element and must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Electronic proposals may be submitted via the NASA proposal data system NSPIRES or via Grants.gov.

Every organization that intends to submit a proposal in response to ROSES-2024 must be registered with NSPIRES; organizations that intend to submit proposals via Grants.gov must be registered with Grants.gov, in addition to being registered with NSPIRES. Such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) (AOR) who will submit the electronic proposal. All proposal team members must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission system, so we may perform automatic organizational conflict of interest checking of reviewers. Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to access the system(s) well in advance of the proposal due date(s) of interest to familiarize themselves with its structure and to enter the requested information.

Notices of intent to propose and Step-1 Proposals will be due starting in March 27, 2024, and Full (Step-2) Proposals will be due no earlier than May 14, 2024, see Table 2 and Table 3 .

Potential proposers are strongly encouraged to read Section I(d) of the ROSES Summary of Solicitation and ROSES-24 FAQ#1 that list significant changes prior ROSES.

To learn of the addition of new program elements and all amendments to this NRA, proposers may:

  • Subscribe to the SMD mailing lists (by logging in at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and checking the appropriate boxes under "Account Management" and "Email Subscriptions");
  • Get automatic updates of due dates using the ROSES-2024 due date Google calendar. Instructions will be available shortly after release at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/library-and-useful-links (link from the words due date calendar);
  • and checking this ROSES-2024 Blog at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2024/

Frequently asked questions about ROSES-2024 will be posted at http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/ shortly after release.

Questions concerning the individual program elements in ROSES should be directed to the point(s) of contact in the Summary Table of Key Information at the end of the program element and at http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/program-officers-list/ .

Subject matter experts are encouraged to sign up to be a volunteer reviewer at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/volunteer-review-panels

Questions concerning general ROSES-2024 policies and procedures may be directed to Max Bernstein, Lead for Research, Science Mission Directorate, at [email protected] .

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Harvard’s Black Film Project will spotlight Black history and culture through documentary, narrative stories

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., founding director of the Black Film Project, and Jacqueline Glover, executive director.

Harvard University recently announced the creation of the Black Film Project, which is designed to support filmmakers of any race who illuminate Black history and culture through nonfiction films.

The project, founded by Henry Louis Gates Jr., director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, will be housed at the Hutchins Center in partnership with Harvard’s Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies.

“I conceived of the Black Film Project as a way of contributing to the growing momentum of filmmaking about the Black experience, and as a way of honoring the field that has given me my second career,” said Gates, who is also the executive producer, host, and writer of the four-part docu-series “Making Black America,” in a press release. “We want the Black Film Project to identify, celebrate, and seed the work of talented artists of any ethnicity and, in doing so, to create an environment in which this renaissance can continue for many years to come.”

Jacqueline Glover, former head of documentary programming for Onyx Collective and ABC News and previous senior vice president of HBO Documentary Films, has been appointed the project’s executive director.

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Gates and Glover’s working relationship began nearly 20 years ago, when Gates was brought in as a consultant for “Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives,” a documentary Glover was producing. They both later served as executive producers on another documentary, “Black Art: in the Absence of Light.”

The Black Film Project has established two prizes, meant to be “finishing funds,” according to Glover. Each is meant to support filmmakers in the completion of their projects, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute. The inspiration for the prizes, she said, came directly from The Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film award, which is a grant presented annually to filmmakers creating independent documentaries.

Named for the filmmaker of the docu-series “Eyes on the Prize,” the Henry Hampton Prize for Documentary Filmmaking on Black History and Culture will support makers of full-length documentaries exploring stories and histories about Black Americans, Africans, or Afro-Latin Americans. It will award $200,000 annually to a first-place winner.

“Part of [Gates’s] legacy as a filmmaker is really to expand the field of filmmakers who tell Black stories on the screen,” Glover said. “The Black Film Project is really an homage to his dear friend Henry Hampton, who passed away.”

Gates toured Hampton’s production company, Blackside Inc., a number of years ago and “was completely inspired to make documentaries and to expand his scholarly work and become a filmmaker to tell stories that he felt were important,” she said.

The second award, the Baldwin Richardson Foods Prize, funded by philanthropist Eric G. Johnson, will grant a second-place filmmaker of any genre a $50,000 prize to finish their project. An internal review committee and national jury, selected by Harvard and the Smithsonian, will select the recipients of both prizes.

“When we say Black stories, we’re really talking about all kinds of Black stories, including outside of this country,” Glover said in an interview. “Certainly Black history in America is a focus, but it’s not the only area that we are interested in. It really can be from anywhere in the world.”

Additionally, the Black Film Project will support three annual paid fellowships as part of the Hutchins Center’s W.E.B. Du Bois Research Institute Fellowship Program. The three fellows will make use of Harvard’s extensive research and filmmaking resources through joint appointments in its department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies and Film Studies Center. They will also visit with Harvard classes, meet with faculty and students, present their films to the public, and connect with Boston and New York exhibition opportunities.

Adri Pray can be reached at [email protected] . Follow her @adriprayy .

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Students in the International Training and Education Master's Program Travel to Japan

philosophy research assignment

Ansilta De Luca ’25 and Maddy Crawford ’24 , students in the School of Education’s International Training and Education Program (ITEP), along with another student from American University’s philosophy department, traveled to Japan as part of the KAKEHASHI Project for Young Researchers in January. The program, sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, creates and enhances friendship ties between Japan and North America by exposing researchers and students to the many facets of Japan’s society and culture. The participants were selected based on their background working with Japanese culture, interest in the language, and plans to work in the country in the future. 

Ansilta De Luca (far left) and Maddy Crawford (far right) in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo.

De Luca is specializing her studies in multilingual adult education and currently working with a law firm in Japan as an in-house corporate trainer. She works with students to help them understand nuances of the English language and be better equipped to manage social and business situations. She credits the program as being a great support in her pursuing a specialization in multilingual education and cross-cultural communication, and she values the continued involvement in international experiences. 

Crawford graduates this spring with a specialization (concentration?) in higher education internationalization, particularly studying abroad and short-term exchanges between the US and Japan. Crawford had stayed in Kyoto, Japan, as part of a Boren Fellowship where she studied Japanese language at Ritsumeikan University. “Participating in the Kakehashi Project was a wonderful way to experience first-hand the implementation of an exchange that would be very similar to the kind of program I would like to work on in the future,” she said. She believes this program also gave her greater insight into different aspects of Japanese culture and international relations.

President of the Japanese International Cooperation Center

The students began their exchange in Tokyo, adhering to a fast-paced schedule giving participants experiences from diverse districts and facets of the city for three days. They toured the National Diet building and explored Sensoji, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most important temples. 

They were also given a guided tour of the Japan Rail control center, where the complex train schedules of Tokyo are created and managed live. The variety of places that the students visited was not only impressive but also gave an in-depth look into Japanese culture and government, and the day-to-day lives of its inhabitants. Participants had a chance to try new foods at every meal, including specialties of Tokyo and of the rural regions of Toyota. “Trying the salted sweetfish, ayu no shioyaki, for the first time was daunting; I had never eaten this style of fish before but it was delicious,” said De Luca. 

The salt-grilled sweetfish, ayu no shioyaki, are skewered on a curve to make them appear as though they are still swimming against the current.

On the fourth day, the group traveled by bullet train and chartered bus to the remote city of Toyota in Aichi prefecture, famous for car manufacturing and beautiful autumn foliage. After sampling the local salt-grilled sweetfish and rice cakes, they learned traditional bamboo weaving techniques in Meiji-period (1868-1912) farm houses. “This was a unique experience, learning from the local artisans, and it was incredible to get the chance to try it out ourselves,” said Crawford. “Though challenging, we were all able to weave coasters from thread and bamboo. The artisans were incredibly engaged and willing to sit with the students and help them at each step, taking the time to explain how the loom worked and what some of the tricks were to get a better-looking design.”

Left: Crawford weaving bamboo and De Luca with her host family. Right: Ansilta De Luca with her host family, the Koyas, in the city of Gamagori.

Right Photo: Ansilta De Luca with her host family, the Koyas, in the city of Gamagori.

The program included a home stay experience in Toyota. The host families went to great lengths to make students comfortable in their homes and put a premium on building meaningful relationships during their time together. Families met the students holding ‘Welcome to your home in Japan’ signs and welcomed everyone with hugs and gifts. For the children in the host families, this would be an experience that they would remember forever with countless stories of singing karaoke, visiting temples, dressing in traditional outfits, and enjoying delicious meals together. “I’ll never forget the sight of families gathered around us saying goodbye,” said De Luca. “The children clung to the students and mothers and fathers gave us tearful hugs. The sense of community and impact we had on each other was incredibly strong. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and wholesome experience.”

De Luca learning about a traditional tea ceremony from her host sister, Hima.

Students learned about an array of Japanese traditions while in their homestays. De Luca, pictured with her host sister, learned the steps for making the tea and practiced conducting the ceremony. The ceremony was something her host sister learned about in school and she was excited to share this tradition with De Luca and explain the nuances and meaning behind every step. She began by demonstrating the entire ceremony and then allowed for her visitor to try it on her own, giving very specific instructions along the way. “It was a joyful experience for us to both learn from each other and it gave the young girl a chance to show off what she had learned and how proud she was to share that with another person,” said De Luca. Hima told her parents, “I can’t wait to tell my friends at school.” Hima’s parents beamed with pride as they watched their daughter deliver the ceremony and enjoyed recording moments between the daughter and student as they worked together to translate the steps and explain in detail how to proceed. “The family was incredibly open to sharing their culture and wanted me engaged in everything,” De Luca said. “My host sister was over the moon about having us stay there and was thrilled to be able to teach me something that was so important to her.”  

Crawford’s host family shared their favorite winter experiences, including fried sweet potato, warm tea, and playing games like Uno around a kotatsu, a heated blanket table. “We slept in cozy, traditional futons on top of straw-woven tatami mats and woke up to a delicious homemade breakfast of salmon-stuffed rice balls called onigiri,” she recalls. Afterward, Crawford visited a community group the host family is a part of called the HIPPO Family Cultural Center, where the children of the families taught her traditional dances and games. “The hospitality and ways of life that the mom, dad, and two young boys showed me was a truly amazing and moving experience. I felt like a part of their family.” 

Crawford on the Taigetsu Bridge, a popular sightseeing spot for the Koraneki Gorge in Toyota city.

The intensive cultural immersion aimed to define friendships and by the end of the trip, meaningful bonds developed both with the families and the staff from the program. Students were exposed to a variety of cultural experiences and given the opportunity to explore and engage in a way that would have never been possible without the support of the JICE program. 

“Moving forward, I will continue to work closely with the Japanese law firm and look forward to the possibility of returning to Japan in the future to continue cultural and language exchange. This program has demonstrated the importance of cross-cultural involvement and has encouraged me in my international training studies which will allow me to continue working abroad with a variety of cultures, hopefully again with Japan,” De Luca said.  

“I hope to use the expanded perspectives on Japanese society and culture in my research on intercultural exchange between Japan and the US,” said Crawford. “In the future, I would love to help organize and facilitate similar programs for students, and the things I’ve learned and relationships I’ve made on the Kakehashi Project will be invaluable for any future work I do that involves Japan.”

  • Inquire to become a School of Education’s International Training and Education student
  • Learn more about the  School of Education’s International Training and Education Program
  • Read testimonials from alumni of the International Training and Education Program

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