This course supports early-stage PhD students training in applied fields to develop original research questions and rigorous study designs. After a brief introduction to epistemology and its relationship to research design, the course interrogates the idea of rigor in research and how it is operationalized across four different study designs. Students also learn principles of measurement theory and how to identify valid and reliable indicators for constructs of interest. Finally, the course covers the practice of identifying testable implications as a means of validating research claims. Assignments include drafting short proposals for original research and reviewing proposals written by peers.
3 units · Satisfactory/No Credit
This course supports early-stage PhD students training in applied fields to develop original research questions and rigorous study designs. After a brief introduction to epistemology and its relationship to research design, the course interrogates the idea of rigor in research and how it is operationalized across four different study designs. Students also learn principles of measurement theory and how to identify valid and reliable indicators for constructs of interest. Finally, the course covers the practice of identifying testable implications as a means of validating research claims. Assignments include drafting short proposals for original research and reviewing proposals written by peers.
Offered in Spring 2027 at Stanford University.